Home Ingredients SelectSIEVE® Apple PCQ (Apple Polyphenols)
Hair, Skin & NailsAntioxidant

SelectSIEVE® Apple PCQ (Apple Polyphenols)

Malus domestica
Evidence Level
Limited
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

SelectSIEVE® Apple PCQ is a standardized apple (Malus domestica) polyphenol extract concentrated for procyanidins. The only human study behind this ingredient tested unbranded apple polyphenols rather than the SelectSIEVE branded extract. In that 12 week trial in 65 healthy women aged 20 to 39, taking 300 or 600 mg a day reduced the redness and darkening of skin that followed UV exposure, but skin water content and moisture loss did not improve and the higher dose was no better than the lower one. The study was funded by Asahi Breweries, and two of its authors worked for the sponsor.

Studied Dose The single published trial used either 300 mg or 600 mg of apple polyphenols a day for 12 weeks. The higher dose did not work better than the lower one.
Active Compound Standardized apple extract concentrated for procyanidins and related polyphenols.

Benefits

Skin condition

In one randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial in 65 healthy women aged 20 to 39, taking 300 or 600 mg of apple polyphenols a day for 12 weeks significantly reduced UV induced skin pigmentation (erythema, melanin and L values) compared with placebo. Skin water content and water loss through the skin did not differ from placebo, and the higher dose was no better than the lower one. The trial tested generic apple polyphenols rather than this branded extract and was funded by Asahi Breweries, with two of the authors employed by the sponsor.

Supported by Trial 1

Antioxidant defense

Apple procyanidins act as antioxidants in laboratory testing. The one human trial cited on this page did not measure antioxidant activity or tissue protection in people, so this remains a laboratory finding rather than a demonstrated effect in the body.

Supported by Trial 1

Limits of the evidence

The only human evidence for this ingredient is the single UV exposure trial described above. Broader claims about skin resilience or overall appearance have not been tested, and that trial found no improvement in skin hydration or in the skin's moisture barrier.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Procyanidin antioxidants

In laboratory studies apple procyanidins neutralize free radicals. This is a proposed explanation for the reduced UV related pigmentation seen in the one human trial, not something that trial measured directly.

2

Hydration and skin barrier: not supported

Skin hydration and the skin's moisture barrier were measured in the one trial and did not improve. Water content and water loss through the skin were no different from placebo, so hydration and barrier claims are not supported for this ingredient.

Clinical trials

1
Apple Polyphenols and UV Related Skin Color: Randomized Trial
PubMed

Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial of 300 or 600 mg a day of apple polyphenols for 12 weeks in 65 healthy women aged 20 to 39. The study tested generic apple polyphenols rather than this branded extract, was funded by Asahi Breweries, and two of the authors were employed by the sponsor. (Shoji et al. 2020, Nutrients)

65 healthy women aged 20 to 39.

Apple polyphenols significantly reduced UV induced skin pigmentation compared with placebo, measured as erythema value, melanin value and L value. There was no dose dependent relationship between 300 and 600 mg a day, and there were no significant differences between groups in skin water content or in water loss through the skin.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well tolerated, but only one 12 week trial has been published, so there is little information on longer term safety.
Mild digestive upset is occasionally reported.
Discontinue if any unusual reaction occurs.

Important Drug interactions

No major drug interactions are established for this ingredient.
Tell your doctor about all supplements if you take prescription medication.
Use caution if pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing a health condition.

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Frequently asked questions about SelectSIEVE® Apple PCQ (Apple Polyphenols)

What is SelectSIEVE Apple PCQ?

SelectSIEVE® Apple PCQ is a standardized apple (Malus domestica) polyphenol extract concentrated for procyanidins. The only human study behind this ingredient tested unbranded apple polyphenols rather than the SelectSIEVE branded extract.

What is SelectSIEVE Apple PCQ used for?

SelectSIEVE Apple PCQ is researched primarily for Hair, Skin & Nails and Antioxidant. In one randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial in 65 healthy women aged 20 to 39, taking 300 or 600 mg of apple polyphenols a day for 12 weeks significantly reduced UV induced skin pigmentation (erythema, melanin and L values) co…

What is the recommended dosage of SelectSIEVE Apple PCQ?

The clinically studied dose is The single published trial used either 300 mg or 600 mg of apple polyphenols a day for 12 weeks. The higher dose did not work better than the lower one. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is SelectSIEVE Apple PCQ safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, SelectSIEVE Apple PCQ is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well tolerated, but only one 12 week trial has been published, so there is little information on longer term safety. Mild digestive upset is occasionally reported. It may also interact with some medications. SelectSIEVE Apple PCQ is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does SelectSIEVE Apple PCQ interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: No major drug interactions are established for this ingredient. Tell your doctor about all supplements if you take prescription medication. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for SelectSIEVE Apple PCQ?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for SelectSIEVE Apple PCQ as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 1 clinical trial and 1 cited reference summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(1 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Shoji T, Masumoto S, Moriichi N, et al. Administration of Apple Polyphenol Supplements for Skin Conditions in Healthy Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2020;12(4). doi: 10.3390/nu12041071..PubMedUsed to support: Sponsor funded RCT, 65 healthy women, 12 weeks, 300 or 600 mg a day: less UV induced pigmentation, but no effect on skin hydration or water loss and no dose response. Tested generic apple polyphenols, not the branded extract.