We are literally what we eat – or more correctly, what we absorb.

This simple idea has been the catalyst behind the recent explosion of ingestible beauty supplements on the market, and they are fast-becoming the must-have addition in your daily skincare routine.

But, it’s important to note that not all of these products are created equal. With so many options available, each with varying price points, promises, and manufacturing processes, how do you know which ingestible beauty product is actually best for you? And, more importantly, why should you even consider taking them?

Our skin is the largest organ in our body and it needs an abundance of essential nutrients to remain healthy and vibrant.

To perform its most vital functions, our skin requires a constant supply of energy, essential fatty acids, B group Vitamins, Vitamin A, C, E, zinc, silica, and plenty of hydration delivered to its deep layers. It also needs a variety of phytonutrients (antioxidants provided by plant foods) to fight off free radicals and protect our cells from oxidation.

However, as our primary barrier to the external environment, our skin does not readily absorb nutrients through its outer layers. Therefore, it must gather all of these nutrients from within – provided in the foods we eat and delivered via our gut and blood stream.

Ultimately, the most important thing we can do for our skin is to eat a diet rich in nutrient dense plant foods with plenty of variety. Unfortunately, this is not always so easily achieved. The National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia have reported that Australian adults are not eating enough vegetables, fruits, whole grains and dairy, and instead, are eating too much nutrient-poor energy-dense ‘occasional foods’.

We only need to look at the impact of certain nutritional deficiencies to begin to understand what affect this can have on our skin. For example, vitamin C deficiency restricts the body’s ability to produce new collagen and elastin (the structural proteins that keep our skin taut), which results in poor wound healing and potentially, premature aging.

If you’re finding it difficult to get your five-a-day every day, your skin may be suffering. Ingestible beauty products supplements are designed to fill in any nutritional gaps you may have in your diet so you can ensure you are providing your skin with all the essential nutrients it needs to thrive.

Choosing the right ingestible beauty supplement product for you

When it comes to purchasing ingestible beauty products, always look for natural, food-based supplements products over synthetic. Not only does this ensure you are nourishing your skin with the best quality ingredients, but it also helps optimize absorption within your body.

Studies have shown that synthetic or isolated forms of vitamins may not operate within the body in the same way that natural food-based nutrients do. One reason for this is because, in nature, vitamins are never found in isolation – they are part of the complex matrix of our food, working in tandem with other co-factors and nutrients to promote the proper absorption and metabolism of vitamins within our bodies.

Take vitamin C, for example. When ingested in combination with a natural citrus extract containing bioflavonoids, proteins, and carbohydrates, it is not only more slowly absorbed into the bloodstream for longer lasting action, but more of the vitamin is absorbed than when synthetic vitamin C is taken in isolation. 

When looking for an ingestible beauty product, look for something that delivers essential skin nutrients in their natural forms from whole food sources. There are several companies today offering whole food vitamin preparations, which are made from foods that are naturally high in certain vitamins or minerals while still containing all of the additional phytonutrients.

To determine whether an ingestible beauty product is made from natural, food-based sources, simply look for food names you recognize on the ingredient list. If you don’t recognize an ingredient, it’s more than likely a synthetic additive or filler. Also, check the amount of each nutrient and what percentage of the recommended daily intake it provides per serve on the nutrition panel.

Healthy skin needs a healthy gut

Absorption can also be affected by your gut health and microbiome (that is, the 100 trillion microorganisms living in your gut). So, not only is a healthy gut vital to ensure proper absorption of the nutrients you are feeding your body, but poor gut health can also directly impact the health of your skin.

When we experience poor gut health or imbalances in our microbiome, this can lead to sluggish digestion and detoxification, potentially resulting in breakouts, puffiness and poor skin tone and texture. In more severe cases, this can develop into leaky gut, which can lead to premature aging, skin sensitivity and inflammatory skin conditions.

If you are thinking of taking an ingestible beauty + wellness product to help boost your skin health, it’s important that you also support your gut health and microbiome with naturally fermented foods, as well as pre- and probiotics to create the best environment for maximum absorption within your body.

It’s no secret that healthy skin starts from within and requires dedicated care over a lifetime. So, if you are not eating enough nutrient-dense foods in your diet, you may want to consider incorporating a natural ingestible beauty wellness product into your long-term skincare routine. This way, you can ensure that your skin is not only receiving, but also efficiently absorbing all the essential nutrients it needs to stay nourished and healthy.

We recommend the Ultimate Elixirs, which contains a pure, potent, proven blend of ingredients to support your gut and skin health. Or take our skin quiz to find the perfect match for your specific skin health needs.

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