The pandemic has compelled consumers to do beauty at home. Here’s how supplements can help this trend.

Todd Runestad | Jan 06, 2022

Beauty may well be skin deep, but skin health can be improved not just from the outside-in with creams, salves and lotions, but also from the inside-out through the use of supplements.

From acne to sun and pollution exposure to wrinkles and spots associated with aging, physical appearance is a concern attracting ever-younger demographics.

“Beauty-from-within is projected to grow nearly 10% this year, bringing total sales to $1.45 billion,” said Claire Morton-Reynolds, senior industry analyst for Nutrition Business Journal. “Collagen is the hottest ingredient in the category, with anticipated growth of 23%.”

Collagen

Collagen is one of the main building blocks for skin, bones, hair, muscles, tendons and ligaments. It is most well-known for keeping skin from sagging. And women need more of it than men, making for a ready-made target demographic.

Unlike most other supplements, which provide the body with the nutrients for use throughout the body, collagen’s protein peptides work in a different way. Peptides are pieces of protein, and when the body sees collagen’s peptides, it thinks the protein matrix is breaking down. Thus tricked, the body starts to ramp up production of wholesome collagen to address this apparent collagen breakdown.

But not all collagen peptides are created equal! The Verisol ingredient brand has conducted research on its specific peptide, and it has demonstrated reduced wrinkles as well as improved skin elasticity and hair and nail growth.

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a key molecule in skin aging. It can bind 1,000 times its weight in water, and keeping skin moist is a huge part of healthy-looking skin. Because hyaluronic acid quickly degrades, it should be taken daily to keep on working to maintain skin moisture.

Carotenoids

Carotenoids can complement a whole-body approach to beauty and fighting the signs of inflammaging—a continuous, low-grade inflammation associated with aging. It is considered as one of the driving forces for many age-related conditions including skin aging. Supplementation with key nutrients, including carotenoids like lycopene and lutein, can complement a whole-body approach to beauty and fighting the signs of skin inflammaging.

Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is a red carotenoid produced by algae. Dr. Oz put it on the map a decade ago, touting it for inflammation, vision health and as an antioxidant. Newer research has found astaxanthin keeps skin from losing moisture and, at 4 mg per day, can prevent sun burns.

Repeated and extended exposure to UV radiation from the sun results in premature aging of the skin. One study found 80% of facial skin aging is attributed to UV exposure. That means that with a little astaxanthin, a person may not need suntan lotion and can thus benefit from the sun’s vitamin D while keeping UV damage at bay.

Ceramides

Ceramides are a lipid compound that helps hold moisture. When aging, we start losing ceramides, resulting in dry and itchy skin and wrinkles. One study showed significant results in only 15 days at a dose of 30 mg per day, specifically around skin hydration, elasticity and smoothness, roughness and wrinkles.