Researchers tested whether a daily supplement made from cherry blossom flowers and a special fruit could help reduce signs of aging skin. Sixty women aged 30-50 took either the supplement or a fake pill for 8 weeks. The women who took the real supplement saw their skin become more hydrated, smoother, and had fewer wrinkles compared to those taking the fake pill. Their skin also showed signs of more collagen, which is the protein that keeps skin firm and youthful. The results suggest this natural plant combination might be a safe way to help skin look younger.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Does a daily supplement made from cherry blossom flowers and Rosa roxburghii fruit help reduce wrinkles and improve overall skin appearance?
  • Who participated: 60 healthy women between ages 30 and 50 years old. Half received the plant extract supplement daily, and half received a placebo (fake pill) that looked identical.
  • Key finding: After 8 weeks, women taking the supplement showed significant improvements: skin moisture increased by about 25-28%, wrinkles became noticeably smaller and shallower, and skin collagen levels increased by about 1-2%. These improvements were much better than the placebo group.
  • What it means for you: This supplement may help reduce visible signs of aging like wrinkles and dry skin, but results take at least 8 weeks to appear. This is one study, so more research is needed before making it a standard recommendation. Talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of scientific studies. Researchers divided 60 women into two groups randomly—one group received a daily supplement containing 150 mg of cherry blossom extract and 200 mg of Rosa roxburghii fruit extract, while the other group received an identical-looking placebo pill with no active ingredients. Neither the participants nor the researchers knew who was getting the real supplement (this is called “blinded”), which helps prevent bias. The study lasted 8 weeks, and researchers measured skin changes using special instruments rather than just asking people how they felt.

The researchers measured six main skin qualities: how much moisture the skin held, skin color and brightness, how elastic and bouncy the skin was, collagen levels, skin texture and roughness, and the depth and size of wrinkles. They took measurements at the start and after 8 weeks on specific areas like the cheek, forearm, and forehead. They also looked at neck lines, which are common signs of aging.

This design is strong because the random assignment and blinding reduce the chance that results are due to placebo effect or researcher bias. However, the study only lasted 8 weeks and only included women aged 30-50, so we don’t know if results would be the same for men, younger people, or older people.

Using instruments to measure skin changes (rather than just looking at photos) gives more objective, reliable results. The placebo-controlled design is important because skin appearance can seem to improve just from paying attention to it or expecting improvement. By comparing the supplement group to a placebo group, researchers can be more confident the improvements came from the actual supplement, not from the placebo effect.

Strengths: This was a randomized controlled trial with blinding, which is a high-quality study design. The researchers used standardized, objective measurement tools rather than subjective assessments. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal. Limitations: The sample size was relatively small (60 people), all participants were women aged 30-50, so results may not apply to men or other age groups. The study only lasted 8 weeks, so we don’t know about long-term effects or whether benefits continue after stopping the supplement. There’s no information about whether the supplement works for people with specific skin conditions or skin types.

What the Results Show

After 8 weeks, the supplement group showed clear improvements in skin moisture. On the cheek area, skin hydration increased by 28.07%, and on the forearm, it increased by 25.81%. These are substantial improvements that suggest the supplement helps skin retain water better, making it look plumper and feel softer.

Skin color and brightness also improved significantly in the supplement group compared to placebo. The skin appeared more even-toned and radiant, particularly on the cheek and inner forearm areas. Skin elasticity—how well skin bounces back when stretched—also improved noticeably in these same areas.

Collagen, the protein that gives skin its firmness and structure, increased in the supplement group. The collagen index rose by 1.8% on the cheek and 1.27% on the forearm. While these percentages might sound small, collagen loss is a major cause of aging skin, so any increase is meaningful.

Most visibly, wrinkles became smaller and shallower. The supplement group showed significant reduction in forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet (wrinkles around the eyes), and nasolabial folds (lines from nose to mouth). Neck lines—horizontal wrinkles on the neck—decreased by about 9-10% in number and length, with the depth of individual lines decreasing by about 7%.

Skin texture and roughness also improved in the supplement group. The skin appeared smoother with less scaliness (flaky, dry patches). These improvements in texture often make skin look and feel younger overall. The improvements were consistent across multiple body areas tested (cheek, forearm, and neck), suggesting the supplement works throughout the body, not just in one area.

Cherry blossom and Rosa roxburghii fruit have been studied individually before, and both are known to have antioxidant properties (they fight damage from free radicals that age skin). This is the first study to look at them together in a supplement. The results align with what we know about how antioxidants help skin—by protecting it from damage and supporting collagen production. However, most previous research on these ingredients was done in test tubes or animals, not in humans, so this human study adds important evidence.

The study only included 60 women aged 30-50, so we don’t know if the supplement works the same way for men, teenagers, or people over 50. All participants were described as “healthy,” so we don’t know if it works for people with skin conditions like acne, eczema, or rosacea. The study only lasted 8 weeks—we don’t know if benefits continue longer or if skin returns to baseline after stopping the supplement. There’s no information about potential side effects beyond what was observed in these 8 weeks. The study doesn’t tell us which ingredient (cherry blossom or Rosa roxburghii) is more important, or if they work better together than separately.

The Bottom Line

Based on this study, the supplement appears safe and may help reduce wrinkles and improve skin hydration and elasticity in women aged 30-50 (moderate confidence level). However, this is based on one 8-week study, so more research is needed. If you’re interested in trying it, expect to wait at least 8 weeks to see results. Start with the dosage used in the study (150 mg sakura extract + 200 mg Rosa roxburghii fruit extract daily) and consult your doctor first, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have allergies to plants in the Rosaceae family.

This research is most relevant to women aged 30-50 concerned about visible aging signs like wrinkles, dry skin, and loss of firmness. It may also interest people looking for natural alternatives to more invasive anti-aging treatments. People with plant allergies, pregnant or nursing women, and those taking medications should talk to their doctor first. The results don’t yet apply to men, younger people, or older people, as they weren’t studied.

Based on this research, you should expect to wait at least 8 weeks before noticing significant improvements in wrinkles and skin texture. Skin hydration might improve slightly sooner (within 4-6 weeks), but the most dramatic changes in wrinkle reduction and collagen levels took the full 8 weeks. It’s unclear how long benefits last after stopping the supplement.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Take a weekly selfie under consistent lighting (same time of day, same location) and track specific measurements: count visible forehead wrinkles, measure crow’s feet depth with a ruler against skin, and rate skin moisture on a 1-10 scale. Also track daily supplement adherence (did you take it yes/no).
  • Set a daily phone reminder at the same time each morning to take the supplement with breakfast. Take your baseline selfie and measurements before starting, then weekly for 8 weeks. Rate how your skin feels (dry, normal, oily) daily to track hydration changes.
  • Create a simple spreadsheet or use the app’s notes feature to record: date, supplement taken (yes/no), wrinkle observations, skin hydration level (1-10), and weekly photo. At week 4, review progress to stay motivated. At week 8, compare your starting photos and measurements to see actual changes. Continue tracking monthly after 8 weeks to see if benefits continue or fade.

This research describes findings from a single 8-week clinical study in women aged 30-50. These results should not be considered medical advice or a substitute for professional medical consultation. Before starting any new dietary supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, have allergies, or have existing skin conditions, consult with your healthcare provider or dermatologist. The supplement’s long-term safety and effectiveness beyond 8 weeks have not been established. Results may vary between individuals. This summary is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice.