Eyes, skin and hair

Pycnogenol

Also called: pine bark extract

Extract of French maritime pine bark.

Why people take it
Circulation, skin, ADHD.
What the evidence says
Limited, mixed evidence.
How it is usually taken
Usually 50 to 150 mg a day.
Be careful
May add to blood thinners and diabetes medicines.
Medicines it can interact with
May add to blood thinners and immune-suppressing medicines.

Other eyes, skin and hair

Lutein and zeaxanthinAstaxanthinKeratinHair, skin and nails blendsCeramidesPolypodium leucotomos

Common questions

What is Pycnogenol?

Extract of French maritime pine bark.

Why do people take Pycnogenol?

Circulation, skin, ADHD.

Does Pycnogenol work?

Limited, mixed evidence.

How much Pycnogenol do people take?

Usually 50 to 150 mg a day.

Is Pycnogenol safe?

May add to blood thinners and diabetes medicines.

Does Pycnogenol interact with medicines?

May add to blood thinners and immune-suppressing medicines.

Sources and further reading

Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Written by Satya Babu.

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For information only, not medical advice. Supplements are not medicines: they are not tested and approved like drugs before they are sold, and they can interact with medicines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start one, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take regular medicines, or have kidney, liver or heart disease.