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Urolithin A is now appearing in premium skincare

Lancôme’s Absolue Longevity MD range is formulated with a highly purified form of Urolithin A.

The collection brings Urolithin A from longevity research into topical skincare, with separate Anticipate, Intercept and Reset products designed for different stages of visible skin ageing.

Lancôme’s Absolue Longevity MD range review | Find out more about skincare with urolithin A

The research is scientifically interesting, particularly because Urolithin A has been linked with mitophagy — a cellular process that removes and recycles damaged mitochondria. However, interesting biology is not the same as a guaranteed health benefit. Human trials remain limited, some important outcomes have not improved, and much of the research has commercial sponsorship.^[2-7]

We explain what researchers have found, what remains uncertain and how consumers can recognise exaggerated claims.

Urolithin A is a compound produced by certain gut bacteria from substances found in foods such as pomegranates, walnuts and some berries. It is also being studied as a manufactured ingredient in supplements and cosmetics.

What benefits are being researched?

Mitochondrial and cellular markers

The clearest human evidence is that orally administered Urolithin A is absorbed and can affect biological markers linked with mitochondrial metabolism. A first-in-human trial found that 500 mg and 1,000 mg daily for four weeks changed plasma acylcarnitines and mitochondrial gene expression in skeletal muscle. The primary purpose of that trial was safety and pharmacology rather than proving a consumer health benefit.^[2]

Muscle endurance and strength

Two influential 2022 randomised trials produced a mixed but potentially useful picture. In older adults, 1,000 mg daily for four months did not significantly improve the trial’s primary outcomes of six-minute walk distance or maximal ATP production compared with placebo. It did improve secondary measures of muscle endurance and several plasma biomarkers.^[4]

In a separate trial of middle-aged adults, 500 mg and 1,000 mg daily for four months were associated with improvements in certain muscle-strength measures, and the higher dose affected some exercise-performance measures and mitophagy-related proteins.^[5] These studies do not establish that Urolithin A treats sarcopenia, prevents frailty or replaces resistance training and adequate nutrition.

Sports and recovery

Small studies in trained athletes have reported improvements in selected endurance, strength, inflammation or recovery markers.^[8,9] A 2025 study in highly trained male distance runners found recovery-related changes and reduced perceived exertion but no additional improvement in running performance.^[9] Evidence in athletes remains too limited to describe Urolithin A as an established performance supplement.

Immune ageing research

A 2025 double-blind trial gave 50 healthy middle-aged adults 1,000 mg daily or placebo for four weeks. Researchers reported changes in CD8+ T-cell populations, fatty-acid oxidation and other immune-cell measures.^[7] The findings are mechanistically interesting, but the study was short, involved healthy participants and did not demonstrate fewer infections, improved vaccine response or a clinical treatment effect.

Skin and cosmetic research

Laboratory work and a 2023 preprint describe potential effects on skin-cell biology and preliminary topical studies.^[10] Because the clinical report is a preprint and independent replication is limited, cosmetic benefits should be viewed as emerging rather than established.

What does the evidence actually show — and which skincare products contain Urolithin A?

What the research does not show

Current human evidence does not establish that Urolithin A:

• reverses ageing;
• extends human lifespan;
• prevents dementia, cancer, heart disease or other disease;
• treats fatigue or mitochondrial disease;
• replaces exercise, sleep or adequate nutrition;
• works for every person;
• is safe for every population or for indefinite use.

These are important boundaries. A compound can produce measurable cellular effects without producing a meaningful improvement in how a person feels or functions.

An interesting compound, not a shortcut to healthy ageing

Urolithin A research connects nutrition, the gut microbiome, cellular recycling and muscle biology. That makes it a valuable subject for careful consumer education. The responsible conclusion is neither “it does nothing” nor “it reverses ageing.” The evidence shows biological activity and some encouraging human results, alongside negative primary outcomes, limited durations and unanswered questions.^[2-7]