Beauty Supplement Essentials to Know

Watch-List Ingredients for your Self-Care Routine 

 

 

From G.O.A.T's to rising beauty supplements, our latest blog covers top-pick ingredients, and how they contribute to stronger hair, skin, and nails. 

 

Antioxidants

The term antioxidant casts a wide net, but in the beauty industry, resveratrol, coq10 (ubiquinol), and grapeseed extract are amongst the major ingredients to keep your eyes on – and for good reason!

Clinicians and Dermatologists agree that when it comes to maintaining the appearance of youthful skin, antioxidants are essential. The American Chemical Society national meeting found that “antioxidants in green tea called catechins (a phenol) are more than 100 times more effective at neutralizing free radicals than vitamin C, and 25 times more powerful than vitamin”

Antioxidants & Skin

Antioxidants prevent the formation of ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) –which lead to the general decline of skin and connective tissue.  

Oxidants promote DNA damage, inflammatory response, reduced production of antioxidants, and the generation compounds that degrade collagen and elastin in the dermal skin layers.

So next time when you’re in the Beauty Aisle at our shop, we recommend you consider a formula that supplements with at least one major antioxidant:

• CoQ10
• Ferulic Acid
• Resveratrol
• Vitamin C and E
• Green Tea Extract
• Grapeseed Extract

 

Zinc

Zinc is essential for healthy skin, since the skin contains up to 6% of the body’s total amount of Zinc! Oral and topical preparations are known for the protection against, and management of skin disease.

Zinc Serums & Topicals

• Zinc oxide: Has been shown to protect against UV / sun damage, diaper rash, chapped lips & skin.
• Zinc pyrithione (ZPT): A well-established anti-fungal, and can be found as an active ingredient of antidandruff shampoos.
• Calamine Lotion: To treat itchiness, inflammation, burns & rashes.
• Zinc PCA (Pyrrolidone carboxylic acid) “Zinc Salts”: Regulate sebum production, for acne-prone / blemish skin.

 

Zinc as an Antimicrobial

Zinc contains antimicrobial properties which has made it an option for conditions such as:

• Infections (warts)
• Inflammatory dermatoses (acne vulgaris, rosacea)
• Pigmentary disorders (melasma)

Zinc Supplementation

Zinc deficiency has been related to:

• Wounds
• Thinning Hair
• Brittle Nails / Cracking

The average Canadian male aged 18+ has a recommended daily intake of 8 mg and woman 18+ 12mg.   

Zinc can be found in beauty supplements to support the growth of hair, skin, and nails.

 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C as an Antioxidant

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that protects the skin against harmful exposures, and aging skin. In some literature, a combination of 0.5% ferulic acid (a potent antioxidant of plant origin) with 15% Vit. C and 1% Vit. E can increase the efficacy of Vit. C eight-fold.

Vitamin C and Hyperpigmentation

Vitamin C also has been shown to help manage skin discoloration (hyperpigmentation), including sun spots and age spots. In short, Vitamin C has been shown to inhibit melanin synthesis, the hormone responsible for the darkening colour of hair, skin, and eyes.

Vitamin C and Collagen Formation

Chemically, Vitamin C donates electrons via the hydroxylation of proline and lysine residues resulting in the conversion of procollagen to collagen.

Collagen is an essential component to healthy skin. Collagen production decreases with age (chronological), and when exposed to environmental factors like pesticides, pollution, and carcinogens.

Vitamin C is found in topical and supplemental beauty products to promote the production of collagen, and enzyme reactions that contribute to the growth of hair, skin, and nails.

Vitamin C and Beauty Supplements

Vitamin C can be ingested, or applied to the skin listed in many forms including:

• Ascorbic Acid
• L-Ascorbic Acid (Active VC)

Plant-based:

• Camu Camu
• Acerola Cherry
• Amla Berry
• Citrus Bioflavonoids

 

Collagen / Silica

Most likely your beauty supplement will contain some form of collagen, since collagen is responsible for the structural integrity of your skin. As collagen diminishes with age, the appearance of fine line and wrinkles are more probable.

Collagen is best consumed orally, as most research suggests that topical formations cannot penetrate beneath the skin’s surface barrier and deliver a measurable effect.

There are three major sources of collagen sources found on the market:

• Bone Broth
• Bovine Collagen
• Marine Collagen

SHOP NOW: For the Go-Getter

SIIP: Bone Broth Satchets for Tea & Cooking 

If you are plant-based, you will most likely find Silica in your beauty supplement - it is structurally and functionally similar to collagen, and builds strong, healthy connective tissue of the hair, skin, and nails. It is possible to find Silica listed as: 

• Horsetail
• Alfalfa
• Gotu Kola
• Nettle
• Oatstraw
• Rosehip

Best Plant-Based Collagen Supplement

Garden of Life: Organic Plant Collagen Builder (60caps) 

Canprev: Silica Beauty Support (60caps)

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid has made a major breakthrough in the beauty industry over the past decade, with more and more formula’s featuring this all-natural humectant, which has been shown to hold up to 10x its water weight.

Clean Ingredient HA Serum with Green Tea Extract

NOW: Hyalauronic Acid Firming Serum (30ml)

Unfortunately, “humans on average lose approximately one percent of hyaluronic acid stores after the age of 30 – or 10% per decade” Dr. Sonya Abdulla, medical and cosmetic dermatologist at Dermatology on Bloor in Toronto, 

Hyaluronic acid is actually produced within the skin’s dermal layer, resulting in plump, rejuvenated skin. You can apply HA as a serum in the AM or PM (and both), or consume it within your beauty supplement.

Here are our Top Pick HA Beauty Supplement:

SPROO's Beauty Collagen with Acerola, Biotin, Hyalauronic Acid & Silica (283g)

 

Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is a nutrient that comes from the Carotenoid family. It is found in foods like salmon, trout, krill, and shrimp, or can be purchased as a supplement.

Astaxanthin is an antioxidant, which protects against signs of skin aging, and DNA damage. It prevents the breakdown of collagen and elastic fibers when matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are secreted from skin cells (dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes) in response to UV irradiation.  

Astaxanthin has been shown to reduce inflammation by intervening with the expression of pro-inflammatory-interleukins (IL1) via skin cells in response to UV photoaging.

 

Affordable Picks

Shop now: Natural Factors 100% Natural Astaxanthin Plus (4mg)(60sgels)

Shop now: New Roots: Pur Collagen Grass-Fed Collagen (75vcaps)

 

 

TAKE OFF 

There are many nutrients that support strong hair, skin, and nails. Each which work in it's own unique ways. Some retain moisture, allowing for hydrated, plump skin - while others reduce the presence of bacteria and fungus. Essential minerals help signal new skin cells, while other strengthen the bond of keratin. 

There are other essential nutrients such as Selenium, Vitamin D, and Iron - which can influence the health of your hair, skin, and nails. Over consumption, or deficiency can all contribute to hair-loss. If you are interested in a part 2 of this blog, you can comment on the link below or email info@kipos.ca for requests.