Is beauty only skin deep?

The answer is no. The emerging scientific research and innovation indicate that the secret to achieving a radiant appearance is not just superficial; it indeed lies within 1,2,3,4.

You are what you eat

Good health begins with a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. In recent years, especially during the pandemic, this understanding has deepened, leading consumers toward a more health-conscious lifestyle that now extends to their beauty routines as well.

As consumers of all ages seek natural, well-being-oriented solutions to promote their health and enhance their glow, nutricosmetics have surged in popularity, becoming a popular trend in the beauty market.

This innovative approach to beauty signifies the importance of nutrition, highlighting how specific vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can contribute to skin, hair, and nail health from the inside out. With many nutricosmetics delivered orally, they provide an effective way of enhancing beauty from within, making them a convenient addition to daily wellness routines.

What are nutricosmetics?

They are dietary supplements or functional foods that are formulated to promote beauty and health from the inside out. They typically contain a combination of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other bioactive compounds designed to improve skin, hair, and nail health.

The idea behind nutricosmetics is that what we consume can significantly impact our external appearance, addressing issues such as aging, dryness, and skin conditions by nourishing the body from within.

Unlike cosmetics applied topically, most nutricosmetics are taken orally, facilitating a systemic and better absorption of essential nutrients. Optimized for the demands of modern life, these products come in various formats, including tablets, capsules, softgels, powders, gummies, and beverages, making them accessible and convenient for anyone seeking to enhance their beauty routine through nutrition.

Focus areas shaping the nutricosmetics industry.

A variety of ingredients & concepts are driving the growth and effectiveness of nutricosmetics, each playing a vital role in enhancing skin, hair, nail health from within5.6.7.8.9.10;

Essential vitamins, and minerals: Vitamins A, C, E, and minerals like zinc and selenium can improve skin complexion by boosting skin elasticity, reducing inflammation, and protecting against environmental & lifestyle stressors.

Collagen: Protein consumption supports collagen production, which is vital for maintaining firm, youthful skin.

Antioxidants: Abundant in berries, leafy greens, nuts, and certain algae, provide a spectrum of benefits for skin health, including Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which protects skin cells from oxidative damage, promotes collagen production, and improves texture and elasticity; glutathione, known for its skin-brightening properties that reduce pigmentation and enhance radiance while combating free radicals; resveratrol, which offers anti-aging benefits by protecting skin cells from UV rays and pollution; curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe irritation and reduce acne; astaxanthin, a carotenoid from microalgae that improves elasticity and protects against UV damage; and polyphenols, which protect the skin from oxidative stress and promote an even skin tone, highlighting the essential role these compounds play in maintaining a healthy complexion.

Hydration through nutrition: Water based liquid shots, effervescent beverages, and juices from cucumber, watermelon, and citrus fruits can contribute to maintaining plump, hydrated skin.

Gut health and beauty: A balanced gut microbiome, supported by probiotics and prebiotics, can significantly impact skin health by promoting proper digestion and nutrient absorption. Skin benefits include, but are not limited to, a reduction in acne, redness, and inflammation.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Skin Softness: Oral supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids, derived from sources like salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts, contribute to smoother, more supple skin by maintaining the skin’s lipid barrier.

Detoxification: Products rich in detoxifying ingredients, such as leafy greens, garlic, and green tea, help cleanse the body of toxins, leading to clearer skin and a more even complexion.

Biotin for Hair and Nails: Consuming biotin-rich foods and supplements, such as eggs, almonds, and sweet potatoes, strengthens hair and nails, reducing breakage and promoting growth.

Balanced Blood Sugar for Even Skin Tone: Maintaining stable blood sugar levels by eating low-glycemic foods like whole grains, legumes, and vegetables can prevent breakouts and reduce skin discoloration.

Mind-Gut-Skin Connection: The gut-brain connection highlights how mental health is closely associated with gut health, which in turn affects the skin. A balanced diet that supports gut health can reduce stress-related skin issues, like acne and inflammation.

Emerging Trends:

As the nutricosmetics industry continues to evolve, oral dosage formats are gaining momentum in the market. These innovative products, available as tablets, capsules, gummies, powders, and beverages, offer a convenient and effective way to incorporate essential nutrients into daily routines (Table 1), reflecting the growing consumer preference for holistic solutions that deliver vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants directly to the body. These products enhance not only skin, hair, and nail health but also overall well-being, making beauty a comprehensive approach that starts from within.

Table 1: Emerging trends in nutricosmetics

As the link between health and beauty becomes increasingly apparent, by incorporating functional foods and beauty beverages into our daily routines we not only support our outer beauty but also enhance our overall well-being. So, the next time you shop for cosmetics, be sure to look for these innovative products that reflect your beauty goals and promote a confident lifestyle. After all, as the saying goes, “You are what you eat—so why not nourish your beauty from the inside out?”

Bibliography

1. Dini I, Laneri S., Nutricosmetics: A brief overview, Phytotherapy Research, Volume33, Issue12, December 2019, Pages 3054-3063, https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6494.

2. J.E. Aguilar-Toalá, A. Vidal-Limon, Andrea M. Liceaga, Chapter 6 – Nutricosmetics: A new frontier in bioactive peptides’ research toward skin aging, Editor(s): Fidel Toldrá, Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, Academic Press, Volume 104, 2023, Pages 205-228, ISSN 1043-4526, ISBN 9780443193026, https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.afnr.2022.10.002.

3. Maia Campos, P.M.B.G.; Franco, R.S.B.; Kakuda, L.; Cadioli, G.F.; Costa, G.M.D.; Bouvret, E. Oral Supplementation with Hydrolyzed Fish Cartilage Improves the Morphological and Structural Characteristics of the Skin: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study. Molecules 2021, 26, 4880. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26164880

4. Dini, I.; Laneri, S. The New Challenge of Green Cosmetics: Natural Food Ingredients for Cosmetic Formulations. Molecules 2021, 26, 3921. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26133921

5. Alharbi, K.L.; Raman, J.; Shin, H.-J. Date Fruit and Seed in Nutricosmetics. Cosmetics 2021, 8, 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics8030059.

6. Anunciato T.P., Filho P.A.D.R., Carotenoids and polyphenols in nutricosmetics, nutraceuticals, and cosmeceuticals, JCD Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Forward series, Volume11, Issue1, March 2012, Pages 51-54, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2011.00600.x.

7. Sriyab, S., Laosirisathian, N., Punyoyai, C. et al. Nutricosmetic effects of Asparagus officinalis: a potent matrix metalloproteinase-1 inhibitor. Sci Rep 11, 8772 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-88340-2.

8. Catarina Faria-Silva, Andreia Ascenso, Ana M. Costa, Joana Marto, Manuela Carvalheiro, Helena Margarida Ribeiro, Sandra Simões, Feeding the skin: A new trend in food and cosmetics convergence, Trends in Food Science & Technology, Volume 95, 2020, Pages 21-32, ISSN 0924-2244, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2019.11.015.

9. López-Hortas, L.; Flórez-Fernández, N.; Torres, M.D.; Ferreira-Anta, T.; Casas, M.P.; Balboa, E.M.; Falqué, E.; Domínguez, H. Applying Seaweed Compounds in Cosmetics, Cosmeceuticals and Nutricosmetics. Mar. Drugs 2021, 19, 552. https://doi.org/10.3390/md19100552.

10. Oludemi Taofiq, Ana M. González-Paramás, Anabela Martins, Maria Filomena Barreiro, Isabel C.F.R. Ferreira, Mushrooms extracts and compounds in cosmetics, cosmeceuticals and nutricosmetics—A review, Industrial Crops and Products, Volume 90, 2016, Pages 38-48, ISSN 0926-6690, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.06.012.

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