Researchers recently conducted a two-step study on the effects of MSM tablets on skin texture and wrinkles, and found that participants who were given OptiMSM tablets at either 1g or 3g per day for 16 weeks showed statistically significant evidence supporting MSM’s role in reducing signs of aging, including facial wrinkles, skin roughness, and the firmness, elasticity, and hydration of skin.
 
Part one of the study evaluated a panel of 20 participants, who ingested either one gram or three grams of OptiMSM daily for 16 weeks. In part two, 63 participants ingested either one gram or three grams of OptiMSM daily for 16 weeks, as well.
 
In part one, visual and subject self-assessment of wrinkles and skin texture was observed. In part two, researchers utilized expert clinical grading, instrumental measurements, and consumer perception to evaluate skin conditions like lines and wrinkles. Additional instrumental analysis was conducted using a corneometer and cutometer to determine skin hydration, firmness, and elasticity.
 
Researchers said that, even at low doses, MSM proved to be sufficiently effective, though the higher dose showed better results.  
 
“Some of these parameters exhibited a good dose-response indicating that the higher (3 g/d) of the supplement was more effective than the lower dose of 1 g/d, but generally the lower dose of 1 g/d appeared to be sufficiently effective in reducing the facial signs of ageing,” researchers wrote.
 
The study’s co-author, Neelam Muizzuddin, PhD, said that by focusing on topicals rather than beauty from within “falls short.”
 
“This research was very fascinating to me because the bulk of my experience has been in topical skincare solutions,” Muizzuddin said. “Examining the ‘beauty-from-within’ approach has me converted to believing it is a better way of improving beauty because it helps improve the whole body. You fall short by focusing on topicals, as they only address the skin.”
 
“What surprised me about the results was how effective the product was in reducing wrinkles, which is the most important element because everyone is so concerned about them,” Muizzuddin continued. “Even the visual pictures showed promising change. There was also some nice softening of the facial skin, but I think the reduction in wrinkles is the most important part of this study.”
 
While researchers maintained that more research needs to be done to determine the scientific mechanism that provides the apparent benefit associated with MSM, it likely has to do with the anti-inflammatory attributes of the supplement.  
 
“Inflammation, oxidation, and gene expression in skin cells are highly interconnected, and it has been demonstrated that MSM has a positive effect on all three,” the researchers wrote.
“Human aging is characterized by a chronic, low-grade inflammation, and this phenomenon has been termed as “inflammaging”, thus management of low-level inflammation can help reduce the signs of ageing and it is possible that the reduction of signs of ageing in this study was partially due to the anti-inflammatory effect of this supplement.”