Inulin: What are the different modes of use?

Indeed, it is possible to enjoy the benefits of inulin for the skin by consuming it as a dietary supplement. They are available in the form of powder or granules to be diluted, as well as in certain industrial food products such as milk or yogurts where inulin is sometimes used for its sweetening power. The recommended dose is 9 g per day.

In 2023, Naoko KANDA and her team sought to determine whether a diet enriched with inulin (10% for three weeks) could improve induced psoriatic dermatitis in mice. They found that inulin consumption reduced the severity of the induced dermatitis, as well as the thickness of the epidermis. This diet also decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cells (IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, IL-1β, TNF-α, CXCL1, and CXCL2). This effect will help to reduce the inflammation associated with psoriasis, and thus improve the symptoms.

It's important to note that the consumption of inulin increases serum and fecal concentrations of propionate. Oral propionate is known to reduce inflammatory infiltrates and mRNA levels of inflammatory cells in dermatitis. Thus, dietary inulin supplementation could improve psoriasis-type dermatitis, and is therefore attributed with anti-inflammatory effects when taken orally.

Theinulin is also frequently found in hair care products, namely shampoos, conditioners, and hair serums. These treatments praise the moisturizing and repairing properties of inulin.

However, it should be noted that no scientific study has proven any particular effect of inulin on hair.

However, considering its potential antioxidant properties, we can hypothesize about its usefulness in hair application. Several studies have shown that photo-aggravation of hair oxidation leads to a reduction in hydration and a stiffening of the hair fiber, linked to lipid oxidation.

Although hair pigments (melanin) protect hair proteins by absorbing radiation and then dissipating this energy as heat, they themselves can be affected, leading to gray hair. It can be hypothesized that inulin, by preventing lipoperoxidation through its antioxidant effect, could protect the hair against the action of oxidative stress. This would then allow them to be less dry and less gray. However, these are only assumptions.