Arecent study by the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) found there is little evidence to prove that oral supplements containing nutraceuticals can actually boost skin quality or help improve common anti-aging issues like lines, wrinkles, drooping, sagging, and dull or uneven skin tone – despite product and packaging claims.
First, though, what exactly is a nutraceutical supplement? Think of the nutraceutical supplement as the marriage between an oral supplement (think: pills, powders, gummies, vitamins, or special drinks, designed to improve appearance), and a food containing a healthful additive and medicinal benefit (the nutraceutical).
Popular nutraceuticals added to oral beauty supplements include green tea extract, pomegranate extract, berries (raspberry, blueberry, and acai are especially popular), oils (primrose, fish, and borage oil), algae, mushrooms, and collagen.
Nutracosmetics have recently skyrocketed in popularity.
These hyper-specialized nutraceutical supplements, also known as “nutracosmetics,” promote everything from “radiant skin” to “strong hair,” and have recently skyrocketed in popularity, experiencing double-digit growth in the past two years, according to NDP.
Trying to ingest attractiveness
The theory behind these “natural,” oral beauty supplements is that by harnessing the powerful antioxidants of a healthful (and often expensive) ingredient into an easily digestible form, like a pill or powder, the nutraceutical’s supercharged qualities will improve skin from the inside out.
Consumers looking for a supercharged boost to their beauty regime are especially attracted to these oral supplements, and many look at their newest ingestible powder or specially formulated vitamin as the extra-powerful, magic bullet they need to truly combat the signs of aging, or for finally achieve the luminous, glowing skin of their dreams.
Essentially, the nutraceutical beauty supplement phenomenon is the age-old “you are what you eat” philosophy, revamped for a new generation of beauty-seekers who are increasingly obsessed with achieving their best complexion ever through natural, organic, clean, and green skincare claim – and willing to pop a pill or mix mushroom powder into their coffee to get there.
The verdict of science?
But, some scientists, like those at the BNF, aren’t convinced about the benefits of nutraceutical supplements to actually improve skin appearance or slow the effects of anti-aging. While the BNF stated that consuming foods like pomegranate seeds or wild-caught fish could provide positive, anti-inflammatory benefits, they found little proof that consuming these ingredients in supplement form could provide any real benefit to skin or slow anti-aging.
“While there is a body of research on the science of skin aging, evidence for the benefit of nutraceuticals to skin appearance is currently not strong enough to draw firm conclusions,” said Ayela Spiro, Nutrition Science Manager at the BNF in a recent statement.
So, what’s a consumer seeking a perfect complexion supposed to do? According to the BNF, a healthy diet, low alcohol consumption, eschewing cigarettes, and always using sunscreen are the keys to maintaining healthy skin over the years.
But, for consumers still looking for proven ways to power up for their skincare routine, Alpha Hydroxy Acid focused-products containing the “holy grail of acids,” a.k.a glycolic acid, will help them slay a wide swath of complexion woes, from blasting acne to reducing signs of aging.
A boost in the personal beauty department is something everyone wants, and a healthy lifestyle and dedicated skincare regime is the way to the luminous skin everybody craves.
And it’ll spare your next cup of Starbucks from being mushroom-flavored, too.
