Why we’re eating up the latest trend in skincare
The nutri-cosmetics movement is taking ‘beauty from within’ to a new level. As well as what you slather on, the future is about what you supplement with – and the skincare crowd is buying what this burgeoning industry is selling. Sales of ingestible beauty products are forecast to reach $10.7 billion by 2025* – but does the science stack up?
“What’s going on with our gut health can impact what’s going on with our skin,” explains Chloe McLeod, an accredited practising dietitian and part of Vida Glow’s Skin Professional Panel. With that in mind, any ingestible beauty should just be one part of an overall nutritious diet.
“If your diet is poor, you’re not going to get the benefits you’d expect to see,” says McLeod, who recommends a plant-packed plate with plenty of fibre, healthy fats and hydration for stellar skin health. As for those extras? Behold, a few of the latest…
The best beauty supplements to shop
1#/ The Beauty Chef Glow Inner Beauty Essential
The Beauty Chef brand laid the groundwork for the inner beauty industry way back in 2009 with this formula. It’s a daily powder that packs in prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics (including an exclusive probiotic strain, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GUT5Y) to help feed the good bugs in your gut. You’ll also be sipping on vitamin C to support collagen production, B vitamins like activated niacinamide to assist normal skin function and structure, plus provitamin A to help with cell turnover.
#2/ Swisse Collagen + Hyaluronic Acid Booster
Chances are you’ve heard about the moisturising benefits of applying hyaluronic acid to your skin. Well, a 2017 study in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology suggests it serves up gains when taken as a supplement, too. This product contains sodium hyaluronate (a salt form of hyaluronic acid), collagen, vitamin B5, vitamin C and zinc to help improve skin elasticity and support healthy skin all round.
#3/ WelleCo The Super Elixir
Created by Aussie supermodel Elle Macpherson’s brand WelleCo, this is one of the original all-in-one green powders on the market. Two teaspoons in a glass of water or smoothie pack in 40+ naturally derived ingredients that include a laundry-list of vitamins, minerals, probiotics and herbal extracts. In addition to supporting skin, hair and nail health, WelleCo The Super Elixir can assist your energy levels, digestive and immune systems.
#4/ Vida Glow Hairology
After cornering the marine collagen market, Vida Glow has turned its science-strong focus to hair health with the new Advanced Repair Hairology capsules. This daily supplement features the brand’s AnaGain – derived from pea sprout extract – which a 2020 study in the journal Phytotherapy Research found can reduce hair loss by 34 per cent after 28 days of use. With the help of bladderwrack (seaweed extract naturally rich in iodine), selenium (a micronutrient that helps to protect oxidative damage) and biotin (a vitamin that’s vital for maintaining healthy hair follicles), it works to support hair growth, strength and thickness.
#5/ JSHealth Hair + Energy
The popularity of Jessica Sepel’s supplement brand landed the nutritionist and entrepreneur on last year’s Australian Financial Review’s Young Rich List, thanks in part to her best-selling Hair Energy formula. It contains iodine from the sustainably harvested JSHealth Kelp, as well as zinc to maintain healthy hair, skin and nails. The latter also supports energy levels and metabolism.
#6/ INTU Sleep & Skin Renewal
Turns out beauty sleep is legit. University of Paris scientists recently discovered that consecutive nights of sleep restriction have a negative impact on the appearance of skin. After an ingestible that targets both? This new super powder from Intu Wellness (The Bachelor alum Anna Robards is a co-founder) contains the antioxidant astaxanthin, magnesium, marine collagen, lemon balm and passionflower to support restful sleep as well as hair and skin health.
