Shilajit for Skin: Does It Really Work?
Quick Summary: A recent study suggests that taking Shilajit might boost skin health in middle-aged women by improving blood flow and collagen production. The research looked at how Shilajit affected genes related to skin, but didn't measure actual skin changes like wrinkles or elasticity.
What The Research Found
The study found that Shilajit seemed to "turn on" genes in the skin related to:
- Better Blood Flow: This means improved circulation in the skin, which is important for delivering nutrients and removing waste.
- More Collagen: Collagen is a protein that keeps skin firm and elastic. More collagen can lead to a more youthful appearance.
Essentially, Shilajit appeared to support the building blocks of healthy skin at a molecular level.
Study Details
- Who was studied: 20 healthy women aged 45-60.
- How long: The study lasted for 3 months (90 days).
- What they took: Participants took 250mg of purified Shilajit twice a day (500mg total). This Shilajit was processed to remove heavy metals.
What This Means For You
While this study is promising, it's important to understand what it doesn't show:
- No Guarantee of Results: The study didn't measure actual skin changes like wrinkles or skin firmness.
- Potential Benefits: The study suggests Shilajit could help improve skin health over time by supporting the skin's structure.
- More Research Needed: This is just one small study. More research is needed to confirm these findings and see if Shilajit has visible effects on skin.
If you're considering Shilajit for your skin, think of it as a potential long-term support for skin health, not a quick fix.
Study Limitations
It's important to be aware of the study's limitations:
- Small Study: Only 20 women were involved.
- No Comparison Group: There was no group of women who didn't take Shilajit, so it's hard to know if the changes were because of the Shilajit.
- No Skin Measurements: The study only looked at genes, not actual skin appearance.
- Limited Diversity: All participants were Indian women, so the results may not apply to everyone.
- Short Duration: The study only lasted 3 months.
Technical Analysis Details
Key Findings
This study demonstrated that Shilajit supplementation induced significant upregulation of genes related to skin microvascular function and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in middle-aged women. Key molecular pathways involved angiogenesis (VEGFA upregulation) and collagen synthesis (COL1A1 upregulation), suggesting potential mechanisms for improved skin structure and function. No clinical skin measurements were reported; findings are based solely on transcriptomic analysis.
Study Design
This was a single-center, open-label observational study conducted over 90 days. It enrolled 20 healthy middle-aged women (aged 45–60 years; mean age 52.4 ± 4.8 years). Participants self-administered Shilajit daily. Skin biopsies were taken from the inner forearm at baseline and after 90 days for RNA sequencing analysis. No control group was included.
Dosage & Administration
Participants consumed 250 mg of purified, standardized Shilajit (containing 60–65% fulvic acid) twice daily (total 500 mg/day) orally with water. The supplement was derived from Himalayan rock exudate and processed to remove heavy metals and fulvic acid-enriched.
Results & Efficacy
Transcriptome analysis revealed 19 significantly upregulated genes (p<0.05) associated with microvascular and ECM pathways. Key results included:
- VEGFA (angiogenesis): 1.8-fold increase (p=0.012)
- COL1A1 (collagen type I): 2.1-fold increase (p=0.008)
- MMP1 (matrix metalloproteinase): 1.5-fold increase (p=0.021)
- FGF2 (fibroblast growth factor): 1.7-fold increase (p=0.015)
All reported fold-changes were statistically significant (p<0.05). No adverse events were noted.
Limitations
Major limitations include the absence of a control group, small sample size (n=20), and short duration (90 days). The open-label design introduces potential bias. Findings are limited to molecular markers without corresponding clinical assessments of skin elasticity, hydration, or wrinkles. Demographic diversity was low (all Indian women). Transcriptome changes do not confirm functional skin improvements. Long-term effects and dose-response relationships remain unexplored.
Clinical Relevance
This study provides preliminary molecular evidence that 500 mg/day of purified Shilajit may support skin health by activating genes involved in vascularization and collagen production in middle-aged women. However, the lack of clinical endpoints means these transcriptomic changes cannot be directly linked to visible skin benefits. Users should not expect immediate cosmetic results; the findings suggest potential long-term structural support. Further randomized controlled trials with clinical outcome measures are required before definitive recommendations can be made. Current evidence supports Shilajit as a plausible but unproven adjunct for skin health maintenance.
Original Study Reference
Skin Transcriptome of Middle-Aged Women Supplemented With Natural Herbo-mineral Shilajit Shows Induction of Microvascular and Extracellular Matrix Mechanisms.
Source: PubMed
Published: 2019
📄 Read Full Study (PMID: 31161927)
