# Vitamin K2 Cream Smoothed Wrinkles in an 8-Week Split-Face Test

_Evidence Level: Preliminary · Huang H et al., ACS omega, DOI 10.1021/acsomega.6c03314_

*Topical Menaquinone‑7 (Vitamin K2, MK-7) as a Mitochondrial Bioenergetic Activator for Skin Anti-Aging: Mechanistic Evidence in Skin Cells and a Randomized Split-Face/Neck Study.*

- **Evidence Level**: Preliminary
- **Why this grade**: Randomized split-face trial in 30 women over eight weeks alongside skin-cell experiments, still a small single pilot whose effects have not yet been repeated in people.
- **Publication Types**: Journal Article
- **Journal**: ACS omega
- **Sample Size**: 30 women aged 35-60 (completers), plus lab skin cells
- **Authors**: Huang H, Wei R, Xu C, Liu C, Zhao S, Li Y, Wang M
- **Graded and published**: 2026-08-14
- **Last edited**: 2026-09-17
- **Topics**: vitamin K2, skin aging, mitochondria
- **DOI**: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.6c03314
- **Free full text**: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13519997/
- **Original Source**: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42662208/

## Summary

Vitamin K2 (MK-7) is usually talked about for bones and arteries, but here it was rubbed on the skin. Women aged 35 to 60 used a 0.05% MK-7 cream on one side of their face and neck and a placebo on the other for eight weeks. The K2 side showed less wrinkle roughness, better elasticity, and less sagging. In lab-grown skin cells, MK-7 also boosted energy production and raised the NAD+/NADH ratio.

## Practical Takeaway

This study suggests topical MK-7 may modestly improve skin firmness, though the trial was small and short.

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_Canonical: https://longevity-germany.com/en/research/vitamin-k2-cream-smoothed-wrinkles-in-an-8-week-split-face-test · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-09-17_