Trace elements are the ingredients that don't appear in the foreground of any nutricosmetic campaign. They don't have the glamour of collagen or the longevity narrative of resveratrol. But without zinc, selenium, and copper, several of the most critical processes for skin health—from collagen synthesis to antioxidant defense—cannot function properly. They are the cofactors without which the main active ingredients do not reach their full potential.
Zinc: sebaceous regulation, protein synthesis, and wound healing
Zinc is an essential trace mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. In the skin, it fulfills critical functions in three main areas: it regulates the activity of the sebaceous glands (inhibiting the action of androgens on sebocytes), it is a cofactor for enzymes involved in the synthesis of structural skin proteins (including collagen), and it participates in the repair of skin tissue after damage.
The authorized EFSA claim for zinc includes: "contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, nails, and skin" and "contributes to normal DNA synthesis." Zinc deficiency—even subclinical, without obvious symptoms—can manifest in the skin as dryness, increased susceptibility to skin infections, and slow wound healing. LEVIAL covers 100% of the Nutrient Reference Value for zinc (10 mg/vial).
Selenium: selenoproteins and antioxidant defense
Selenium is the cofactor for selenoproteins, a family of proteins that includes some of the body's most important antioxidant enzymes: glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR). These enzymes are the first line of defense against intracellular oxidative stress and are especially important for protecting DNA, lipid membranes, and structural proteins from free radical damage.
In the skin specifically, selenium contributes to protection against photodamage (through GPx activity), the maintenance of skin barrier integrity, and the modulation of the inflammatory response. Selenium levels vary significantly depending on diet and the soil where food is produced: in many regions of Europe, dietary selenium levels are suboptimal. LEVIAL covers 100% of the NRV for selenium (55 µg/vial).
Copper: elastin synthesis and activation of key enzymes
Copper is a cofactor for lysyl oxidase, the enzyme responsible for cross-linking collagen and elastin fibers—the process that gives them their mechanical strength. Without sufficient copper levels, synthesized collagen fibers are structurally weaker. It is also a cofactor for copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), one of the most relevant antioxidant enzymes in the body.
The EFSA claim for copper includes: "contributes to the maintenance of normal connective tissue" (tissue that includes the dermis) and "contributes to normal skin pigmentation." LEVIAL covers 100% of the NRV for copper (1 mg/vial).
How much do you really need? NRVs and functional doses
The Nutrient Reference Values established by the EFSA represent the daily amounts sufficient to cover the needs of the general population. Covering 100% of the NRV—as LEVIAL does for zinc, selenium, and copper—is not over-supplementing: it is ensuring that the formula does not leave nutritional gaps that could limit the effectiveness of the main active ingredients.
Why subclinical deficiency is more common in active women
Subclinical deficiencies—levels below optimal but without evident clinical symptoms—are more common than often recognized, especially in women with high metabolic demand. Chronic stress increases the consumption of zinc and selenium. Restrictive diets can compromise their intake. The bioavailability of these minerals also depends on the food matrix in which they are consumed.
Including zinc, selenium, and copper at doses that cover nutritional needs in a supplement like LEVIAL is not a cosmetic gesture: it is ensuring that the essential cofactors for the main active ingredients to function are available in sufficient quantities.
