Understanding the long-term benefits of Radiance

As a targeted ingestible capsule for signs of pigmentation, Radiance is a science-backed formula for next-level results.

While the primary benefits of Radiance’s hero active, SkinAx2™, are seen in eight weeks, the formula has potential to yield an even brighter complexion long-term.

After reviewing Radiance and SkinAx2™’s clinically studied actives, this is what Vida Glow’s technical team say you can expect from long-term Radiance supplementation.

Can I take Radiance long-term?

Yes. With hero active SkinAx2™, tangible results – like increasing skin luminosity by 26% and reducing facial imperfections by 18% – are seen in eight weeks [1]. And with longer-term supplementation, you can expect to maintain and protect results.

By taking Radiance long-term, your brightening skincare routine is strengthened from within – so continue supplementation as long as desired.

Is Radiance safe to take long-term?

Yes, Radiance is safe to take long-term. In addition to Vida Glow’s stringent clinical trials which test the safety and efficacy of the complete formulation, the individual ingredients in Radiance are backed by extensive clinical evidence assessing multiple doses, time frames and beauty and health applications to support their long-term safety.

Radiance’s hero active SkinAx2™ contains four food-derived ingredients – grape seed extract, melon extract, vitamin C and zinc – that are safe for ongoing, daily supplementation when taken as directed. Additionally, Radiance’s supporting actives – carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, amino acid cysteine, and antioxidant glutathione – have no safety concerns for long-term oral supplementation in the dosage levels present in our formulation.

For example, carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, derived from Marigold, are well-studied for their long-term safety. Human supplementation of the carotenoid Lutein has been investigated in over 30 peer-reviewed clinical studies [6], with daily supplementation for as long as 12 months to two years. No adverse effects were observed. Zeaxanthin has been safely administered daily in clinical trials for six [7] and 12 months [8]. Synthetic zeaxanthin was subjected to a safety review by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies in 2012 [9]. The Panel found that doses well above those contained in Radiance were safe to take on a daily basis.

Radiance is also formulated with L-cysteine, a nonessential amino acid used by cells to synthesise proteins. And it’s a precursor for the production of antioxidant molecule, glutathione. Supplementation with L-cysteine can therefore support the synthesis of glutathione and the reduction of systemic oxidative stress [10], a trigger for some signs of pigmentation. L-cysteine can be taken long term and is considered safe when taken as recommended at the levels [11-15] included in the Radiance formula.

Glutathione is a strong antioxidant molecule with anti-melanogenic properties [16] to help address melanin imperfections like dark spots and melasma. Glutathione is considered nontoxic and is safe for use in health and nutritional supplements, being afforded ‘Generally Recognised as Safe’ (GRAS) status under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. Further, in human clinical trials for aesthetic indications including skin brightening), oral doses of up to 1000 mg daily were well tolerated and no serious adverse events were reported [17], [18]. Vida Glow Radiance contains 50 mg of glutathione per capsule – so there are no safety concerns with long term administration of glutathione at this dose.

Therefore, based on available literature, the daily intake of actives contained in Radiance are well within the accepted range for long-term safety.

What happens if I stop taking Radiance?

Like all ingestible treatments, the results of Radiance will gradually fade if you stop or are inconsistent with supplementation.

As an ingestible solution for signs of pigmentation, one of the ways Radiance works is by inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme involved in the production of melanin – skin’s natural pigment. Evidence on the reoccurrence of pigmentation after ceasing natural tyrosinase inhibitors supplementation is limited. However, the recurrence rate of pigmentation after drug treatments utilising a similar tyrosinase-inhibiting mechanism has been studied. For example, six months after discontinuing oral tranexamic acid treatment, clinical studies found the recurrence rate of pigmentation to range between 9.5% and 72% [2]–[5], and as high as 100% for melasma.

This suggests at least 40% of consumers may experience the recurrence of pigmentation – like dark or age spots, under eye circles, melasma and dull skin tone – is likely to return within 6 months of ceasing supplementation.

Therefore, we speculate Radiance consumers may expect a similar rate of recurrence once stopping supplementation.

Are there benefits of taking Radiance long-term?

By taking Radiance long-term, results are maintained – and have potential to be enhanced. In ongoing consumer trials, the Vida Glow community report improvements beyond eight weeks of supplementation.

When taken long-term, Radiance can also maintain skin’s health and appearance – which are dictated by internal and external factors. 

For example, UV exposure can result in excessive amounts of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species being generated within the cells. With antioxidant supplementation, free radicals are suppressed, and the excess production of melanin can also be minimised. 

This means a preventative treatment plan is best to address signs of pigmentation long-term – and is why Radiance is formulated with efficacious antioxidants at safe levels for on-going supplementation. 

By continuing to take Radiance, skin tone improvements and luminous results can be maintained with the possibility of being enhanced long-term.

[1] Dumoulin M, Gaudout D, Lemaire B. Clinical effects of an oral supplement rich in antioxidants on skin radiance in women. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2016;9:315-324. Published 2016 Oct 18. doi:10.2147/CCID.S118920 

[2] S. Aamir and R. Naseem, “Oral tranexamic acid in treatment of melasma in Pakistani population: a pilot study,” 2014.

[3] S. Wu et al., “Treatment of melasma with oral administration of tranexamic acid,” in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Aug. 2012, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 964–970. doi: 10.1007/s00266-012-9899-9.

[4] H. C. Lee, T. G. S. Thng, and C. L. Goh, “Oral tranexamic acid (TA) in the treatment of melasma: A retrospective analysis,” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, vol. 75, no. 2, pp. 385–392, Aug. 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2016.03.001.

[5] A. W. M. Tan, P. Sen, S. H. Chua, and B. K. Goh, “Oral tranexamic acid lightens refractory melasma,” Australasian Journal of Dermatology, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. e105–e108, Aug. 2017, doi: 10.1111/ajd.12474.

[6] A. Shao and J. N. Hathcock, “Risk assessment for the carotenoids lutein and lycopene,” Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, vol. 45, no. 3, pp. 289–298, Aug. 2006, doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2006.05.007.

[7] G. Dagniele, I. S. Zorge, and T. M. McDonald, “Lutein improves visual function in some patients with retinal degeneration: a pilot study via the Internet,” Optometry, vol. 71, no. 3, pp. 147–164, 2000.

[8] B. Olmedilla, F. Granado, I. Blanco, and M. Vaquero, “Lutein, but not tocopherol, supplementation improves visual function in patients with age-related cataracts: A 2-y double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study,” 2003.

[9] EFSA, “Statement on the safety of synthetic zeaxanthin as an ingredient in food supplements,” Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Oct. 2012. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2891.

[10] N. Clemente Plaza, M. Reig García-Galbis, and R. M. Martínez-Espinosa, “Effects of the Usage of l-Cysteine (l-Cys) on human health,” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 23, no. 3. Mar. 03, 2018. doi: 10.3390/molecules23030575.

[11] D. Yildiz, M. Arik, Y. Cakir, and Z. Civi, “Comparison of N-acetyl-L-cysteine and L-cysteine in respect to their transmembrane fluxes,” Biochemistry (Moscow) Supplement Series A: Membrane and Cell Biology, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 157–162, 2009, doi: 10.1134/S1990747809020081.

[12] E. S. Louwerse et al., “Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of acetylcysteine in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,” Archives of Neurology, vol. 52, pp. 559–564, 1995, [Online]. Available: http://archneur.jamanetwork.com/

[13] J. Wei, C. Pang, J. Han, and H. Yan, “Effect of orally administered N-acetylcysteine on chronic bronchitis: A meta-analysis,” Advances in Therapy, 2019, doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.9901982.

[14] E. M. Grandjean, P. Berthet, R. Ruffmann, and P. Leuenberger, “Efficacy of oral long-term N-acetylcysteine in chronic bronchopulmonary disease: A meta-analysis of published double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials,” Clinical Therapeutics, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 209–221, 2000.

[15] K. M. Gray et al., “A randomized placebo-controlled trial of N-acetylcysteine for cannabis use disorder in adults,” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, vol. 177, pp. 249–257, Aug. 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.04.020.

[16] S. Weschawalit, S. Thongthip, P. Phutrakool, and P. Asawanonda, “Glutathione and its antiaging and antimelanogenic effects,” Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, vol. 10, pp. 147–153, Apr. 2017, doi: 10.2147/CCID.S128339.

[17] E. B. Handog, M. L. Suzanne Datuin, I. A. Singzon, and C. B. Evangeline Handog, “An open-label, single-arm trial of the safety and efficacy of a novel preparation of glutathione as a skin-lightening agent in Filipino women,” International Journal of Dermatology , vol. 55, pp. 153–157, 2016.

[18] N. Arjinpathana and P. Asawanonda, “Glutathione as an oral whitening agent: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study,” Journal of Dermatological Treatment, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 97–102, Apr. 2012, doi: 10.3109/09546631003801619.