6 Uses of Pycnogenol® – A Supplement That Supports Skin Health & More*

You love your outdoor walks and watching the tall pine trees sway rhythmically in the wind. But some pine trees are good for more than just peaceful walks in the woods. Extracted from the tree bark, pycnogenol® gives pine trees a whole new definition.

You take in the smell of the fresh air– a mixture of rain, dirt, and wet wood. You hear the sound of the branches rustling under your feet. You’re one with your surroundings, in harmony with the forest, and you feel at ease.

All with nature as the most enchanting backdrop for your scene.

But pine trees can do more than make your insides warm and fuzzy on a rainy day. Pycnogenol® (pronounced pic-noj-en-all) is a pine bark extract that’s made from French Maritime pine trees. Standing tall and glorious against the bright blue sky, the bark of these pine trees can provide a list of benefits of its own.*

The Maritime Pine Tree

Never thought pine trees could be so impactful? Think again. There’s true power to these trees. Pine trees are vibrant, evergreen, and stand the test of time. But even something as insignificant as their bark can be more powerful than you’d think.

The maritime pine tree, also referred to as Pinus pinaster, is native to countries in Southwestern Europe, including France, Spain, and Portugal.¹ 

The maritime pine tree has also been introduced to other continents, such as Australia and South Africa. Falling into the conifer category, maritime pine trees are evergreen cone-bearing trees.¹ Unlike the conifers widely round in North America, the maritime pine has a long stem and usually an open crown of upward growing branches.¹ 

Pycnogenol® is only derived from the French maritime pine tree that is grown in a pesticide and herbicide free forest called Les Landes De Gascogne in the Southwest of France.²

Reaching impressive heights of around 100 feet, the pine bark of these trees is thick and scaly.¹ 

The Pinus pinaster bark also contains flavonoids, which are a type of phytonutrient with antioxidant-like properties.1,3* Flavonoids can be further divided into many subgroups and can be found in vegetables, fruits, and teas.³

What is the Maritime Pine Tree Used for?

The maritime pine tree has been used for various purposes, such as being used as timber. It, therefore, plays an essential role as a forestry tree.¹ 

The species Pinus pinaster is also used as a source for turpentine¹, which is commonly used as a solvent for paint. It’s obtained through distillation of the pine tree’s resin and serves other purposes, including its usage in soap and cosmetics.

The maritime pine tree is further used for its rosin¹ – a solid form of resin with many industrial purposes. It’s used in the production of adhesives and varnishes, and in the printing industry.

The tree bark of the maritime pine tree, the French maritime pine tree to be more precise, has been used in the production of pycnogenol® – a supplement made out of pine bark extract that is standardized to contain 70% procyanidins which is a type of flavonoid.

With a number of benefits, Pycnogenol® has become a key dietary supplement, supporting the immune system and joint health among other benefits.*

What is Pycnogenol® Good for?

Maybe it’s the time we live in but aren’t we all in constant search of something that can support our health? Something that can keep us happy and healthy, can keep us going, and moving forward? 

With all the demands of this fast-paced world, it feels good to be supporting our bodies and doing what we can to contribute to our well-being.

If you’re on your own health journey and searching for a supplement that’s able to stand out, pycnogenol® might be for you. Pycnogenol® is made from pine bark extract of the French Maritime pine tree and certainly holds the promise of being an exotic and unique type of supplement.

Let’s talk about why you should consider taking pycnogenol®. Here are six reasons to think about:

Supplement for Skin Health*

Maintaining good skin health is essential for many of us – specifically for women. Oftentimes, skin health translates into increased confidence and more self-esteem. It’s not just about the skin, it’s about how it makes us feel.

Pycnogenol® is known to support skin health, which makes it a great supplement for skin health that can help give you back your confidence.* 

In fact, preliminary evidence suggests that pycnogenol® can potentially support skin hydration and elasticity after 12 weeks of supplementation.⁴* Supplementation for 12 weeks may also help increase your body’s synthesis of hyaluronic acid.⁵*

Pycnogenol® for Healthy Circulation* 

You’ve guessed correctly – there’s more to pycnogenol® and its benefits.* Pycnogenol® supports healthy circulation, which is a key component of good health.⁶* Adequate circulation allows for blood and oxygen to reach your organs and all other parts of your body and to contribute to their functionality.*

At the same time, pycnogenol® supports a healthy cardiovascular system – meaning it can be beneficial for your heart and blood vessels.*

Immune System Support*

Another benefit of pycnogenol® is that it supports a healthy immune system.⁷* As a matter of fact, our immune system marks the foundation of health and aids us in staying fit.*

Pycnogenol® for Healthy CRP Levels*

Being the powerful supplement it is, pycnogenol® also supports healthy C-reactive (CRP) levels.* Wondering what CRP levels are? It’s the levels of the C-reactive protein in your blood that can be measured through a standard blood test – in fact, it’s your liver that produces this protein and introduces it into your bloodstream. 

CRP is a marker of healthy inflammatory levels and pycnogenol® can be used to support a healthy inflammatory response.⁸*

Support for Joint Health* 

If you love to exercise and work out, it’s crucial you maintain good joint health.* Even if you’re not a hardcore gymnast, joint health is important to complete even normal everyday tasks.* 

Pycnogenol® is one option you can use to support your joint health.⁹* Everyday activities and normal exercise routines all contribute to the normal use of our joints. Finding something to support joint health can really help in keeping active day to day.*

Antioxidant-like Activities*

Another plus of taking a pycnogenol® supplement is that it can provide you with antioxidant-like activities.¹⁰* This means that the active flavonoid component (procyanidins in this case) can help scavenge free radicals and promote cellular defense.*

Pycnogenol® is a well-rounded supplement that can deliver various health benefits worth looking into.* While you may not have heard of it before, trust that the market is shifting towards more nature-based supplements that provide you with all the benefits you’re looking for.*

Try Pycnogenol and Reap Its Benefits*

Did pycnogenol® and its potential benefits* captivate your attention yet, spark your interest, and ignite a flame? 

We’re all on a journey to better health – believe it or not, we’re in this together. For many of us, perfect health goes hand in hand with living life to the fullest. But this means that we have to take care of ourselves first, so we can live a healthy life.

Pycnogenol® provides countless health benefits* and is a highly researched supplement. In fact, many clinical trials have addressed pycnogenol® and its benefits, particularly in recent years.* So, it comes as no surprise that its popularity is growing.

Only one capsule of the supplement contains 100 mg Pycnogenol® and is equivalent to one serving. Ideally, we suggest you take Pycnogenol® after one complete meal, once daily. 

Each bottle of pycnogenol® contains 60 capsules. Here are a few more reasons why our pycnogenol® supplement is so popular:

• It’s Non-GMO
• It’s gluten and dairy-free
• It’s veggie friendly
• It has undergone third-party testing

Keep in mind that before starting any new dietary supplement, you should check with a qualified healthcare professional and make sure you’re a good fit for this supplement.

Take control of your health and decide where your journey is going. Remember that supplements can be a simple contribution to your health that don’t require a lot of effort or planning. 

It’s easy to take care of ourselves if only we know where to start. And Viva is here to help you along the way!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

 

References:

1. Pinus pinaster/ maritime pine. Retrieved September 9, 2022. https://conifersociety.org/conifers/pinus-pinaster/
2. Pycnogenol®. Retrieved October 28, 2022. https://www.pycnogenol.com/about/pycnogenolr/ 
3. What are Phytonutrients? Retrieved September 9, 2022. https://www.livescience.com/52541-phytonutrients.html
4. Marini, A. et al. (2016). Skin Pharmacol Physiol, 2(25): 86-92.
5. Grether-Beck, S et al. (2016). Skin Pharmacol Physiol, 29: 13-17.
6. Rodriguez, P et al. (2015). Panminerva Med, 57(3): 121-5.
7. Belcaro, G et al. (2014). Panminerva Med, 56(4): 301-8.
8. Belcaro, G et al. (2008). Redox Rep, 13(6): 271-6.
9. Belcaro, G et al. (2008). Phytother Res, 22: 518-23. 
10. Packer, L et al. (1999). Free Radic Biol Med, 27(5-6): 704-24.