BEAUTY VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS FOR HEALTHY GLOWING SKIN
If beauty is skin deep, how you’re treating that skin matters. We can use all the products in the world, but to really nourish skin and keep it soft, supple, even-toned, and blemish-free, a beauty vitamin is a must.
What is a “beauty vitamin?”
Beauty supplements are designed to promote healthy, beautiful skin and combat the visible signs of aging. Ingredients can include single nutrients or a combination of vitamins, minerals, fats, and plant botanicals or extracts, and they’re often called a “hair, skin & nail formula,” usually including biotin and pantothenic acid in their formulations.
How does a beauty supplement differ from other supplements?
Beauty supplements aim to improve skin health and slow the aging process by ensuring that the nutrients your body needs are available to reduce damage and support tissue repair.
Many nutrients found in beauty and anti-aging supplements are also found in anti-aging skincare product lines. By taking a bi-directional approach – doing on the inside what you are doing on the outside – you can complement your skin care regimen and give your body an added dose of nutrients.
Do I need to take a beauty supplement?
Beauty supplements are an easy way to ensure that we get all the essential vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and Omega-3s skin needs to look radiant and youthful. A supplement that does double duty – one that acts as a multivitamin plus beauty supplement – would be ideal.
How can a beauty supplement give me glowing skin?
Cosmetics and treatments deal with the topical layer; if we want beauty from the inside out, we need to address nutrition.
What nutrients should I look for in a beauty vitamin, and what do they do?
Beauty supplements that work should include these key ingredients:
Nutrients that support collagen and elastin:
ACE – Vitamins A, C and E
Vitamin A – Extremely important for eye health, vitamin A is also used in the body to support normal skin cell turnover and to repair skin tissue. Vitamin A derivatives, like retinol, are frequently used in topical skin care products to smooth and clarify skin.
Vitamin C – Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C has excellent antioxidant properties and is needed for tissue growth and repair. It also plays a primary role in the formation of collagen, and promotes the healing of blemishes and discoloration of the skin.
Vitamin E – Vitamin E actually refers to a family of eight compounds. It acts as an antioxidant, prevents the oxidation of fats, enhances UV blockers in sunscreen and is a natural moisturizer. Many supplements use just one form, alpha-tocopherol. The synthetic form, dL-alpha-tocopherol as opposed to the natural d-alpha-tocopherol, is often used because it is less expensive, but studies have demonstrated better availability and absorption with natural vitamin E.
B-Complex (Biotin and Pantothenic Acid) – Also known as the “stress fighting” family of vitamins, the B-Complex supports healthy nerves, skin, eyes, hair, liver and mouth. Two of the B-vitamins, biotin and pantothenic acid, are essential for smooth skin and lustrous, shiny hair.
Minerals
Copper – A trace mineral that works in balance with vitamin C and zinc, copper is essential for the formation of collagen – a protein that helps keep skin elastic and wrinkle-free.
Zinc – This mineral acts as an antioxidant and is essential for collagen formation. Zinc promotes efficient healing of skin infections, is important for tissue strength & repair and helps normalize sebum production for oily skin types.
Selenium – Selenium is important for inhibiting the oxidation of fats and protecting vitamin E, helping to keep skin soft and supple.
Nutrients that support supple-looking skin:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Replenishing the body with quality Omega-3 fats ensures healthy cell membranes that keep the skin hydrated and help prevent it from flaking and drying out.
When it comes to skin health, there are 3 fatty acid chains that are important: ALA, EPA and DHA. EPA and DHA are found in high concentration in animal sources like cold-water fish and krill oils. They protect skin from damage by increasing its resistance to UV light and act as antioxidants to protect skin from harmful free-radicals formed after UV exposure. They also help fight inflammation in the body. And EPA goes one step further by helping block the release of the UV-induced enzymes that break down collagen and promote the development of fine lines and wrinkles – the most obvious signs of aging skin.
Flax Seed Oil – An excellent source of essential fats required for healthy-looking skin, flax seed oil is the richest source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is especially important in promoting and maintaining skin health and hydration and is a key component in the fatty membranes of skin cells, without which the body must build new cells with “inferior” fats, resulting in less than optimal skin health and suppleness.
An adequate supply of essential fatty acids in the diet is essential for healthy-looking skin because skin cells turn over very rapidly.
Hyaluronic Acid – Hyaluronic acid (also known as hyaluronic acid, hyaluronan and sodium hyaluronate) is a humectant that absorbs water – about 1,000 times its weight – and plumps skin. It aids in the repair and regeneration of skin affected by dryness, environmental stresses, or irritation.
Nutrients that provide internal protection from the sun:
Phytonutrients
Anthocyanidins – A potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, anthocyanidins help improve vascular health and capillary strength. This phytonutrient also helps prevent cancer cell development.
Ellagic Acid – Like many other phytonutrients, ellagic acid has potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits.
Lycopene – This phytonutrient has antioxidant benefits for the skin, but also protects against heart attacks, and is associated with reduced cancer risk.
Lutein/Zeaxanthin – These are included in a group of compounds called “carotenoids.” They help protect the skin by absorbing UV rays and quenching free-radicals that may be produced in the skin after exposure to the light. Studies have shown that supplementation may also improve skin hydration, skin lipid content, and skin elasticity.
Alpha-Carotene/Beta-Carotene/Beta-Cryptoxanthin – These phytonutrients are part of a group of compounds called “carotenoids.” Some carotenoids convert into vitamin A for use in the skin. Others do not and instead exert potent antioxidant protective benefits.
Resveratrol – A potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, resveratrol’s natural occurrence in wine has been associated with the “French Paradox” – a lower incidence of coronary heart disease, despite higher intake of saturated fats. Resveratrol is also linked to protection against obesity & diabetes and promotes eye health.
Nutrients that support a clear complexion:
Probiotics – These beneficial bacteria improve gut health, support the digestive system, boost the immune system, and inhibit growth of “bad,” acne-causing bacteria. They can also help protect the skin from UV radiation and improve skin barrier function in people with dry, sensitive skin. Additionally, certain probiotics can help reduce symptoms of acne by reducing total lesions and sebum content.
Nutrients that support detoxification:
Botanical/Herbal
Burdock Root and Acne – Burdock root has been used for centuries to treat skin problems including acne, psoriasis, eczema and contact dermatitis. A mildly bitter herb that stimulates the release of gastric juices and aids digestion, it has several healing properties including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-bacterial effects.
Oregon Grape Root and Acne – Oregon grape has been used to treat skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis and allergic rashes for centuries. Oregon grape root has antibiotic properties and helps to stimulate the immune system, and it also promotes digestion and supports liver function.
Dandelion and Acne – Dandelion root is used to cleanse the blood and liver, which helps to promote clear skin. It has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties that make it very effective in neutralizing acne-causing bacteria in the skin, and it helps to stimulate the liver and digestive process which help flush toxins.
Yellow Dock and Acne – Herbalists use yellow dock in the treatment of acne for its anti-inflammatory properties. It acts as a blood purifier and cleanser, which helps to promote clear skin, and this detoxifying herb is used to help improve colon and liver function.
When can I expect results?
We know good things come to those who wait, so while you won’t see results overnight, give it at least a month. That’s about how long it takes for skin cells to turn over in younger adults, and a little longer if you’re older.
What can I expect to see?
Skin will look softer, more even-toned, feel suppler, and have fewer blemishes.
Beauty supplements play a key role in achieving beautiful skin, and coupled with professional skin care products, this dual-pronged approach ensures you’ll have healthy, glowing skin for years to come.
