Most people believe they are doomed by their genetics. Fortunately, we’ve got plenty of evidence to prove that a healthy diet and proper skin care regimen can take you pretty far when it comes to keeping your skin happy. We bet you didn’t know that your lifestyle determines 80-90% of your health, including your skin’s vibrance and health! If you want to have a healthy diet, you must include nutrients like resistant starch. You can read this article to know how to take resistant starch in your daily life.
Along with making smart lifestyle choices, you can enjoy the benefits of natural beauty supplements that help you support your body and keep your skin beautiful. Additionally, by eating a rainbow of colors (we mean vegetables and fruits… not skittles) and doing a weekly at-home facial, we’ve put together some supplements for perfectly glowing skin.
Make sure to check with your medical advisor before you start taking any new supplements – especially if you already have vitamins, prescriptions, OTC drugs – to make sure it’s OK to add into your daily routine. Why? Given that some natural supplements have some potent activity, they can potentially affect medical conditions and interact with your prescribed medications.
1. Fish Oil
Studies tell us that achieving, youthful, healthy-looking skin requires making internal improvements – by ingesting nutrient-rich foods such as beets, collard greens, almonds, lentils, and wild-caught salmon(yum!). To be more precise, low-sugar foods that contain nutrients and probiotics or compounds like selenium, zinc, coenzymeQ10, prebiotics, collagen, and omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to healthier and younger-looking skin.
In addition, Oregon State University published a study about essential fatty acids on skin health. Fatty acids in fish oil play an essential role in improving skin health. The findings show that topical application and dietary supplementation of omega-6 help reduce the manifestations of skin sensitivity, skin aging, and other skin health problems. Hence, fish oil is one of the top active ingredients that manufacturers use in many skin care products and food supplements.
Speaking of optimal health, recent studies have revealed that supplementation with omega-3s improved certain types of the “good bacteria” that produce gut-protective molecules referred to as SCFAs (short-chain fatty acids). Not only that, but further studies suggest that diets low in omega-3 fatty acids are linked to the prevalence of acne- as a skin condition characterized by pimples that appear when hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells and oil.
Given that omega-3s are thought to endorse the “good bacteria,” ensuring you’re taking an adequate intake of it is an excellent strategy for achieving the glowing, healthy, and youthful-looking skin appearance you’re after.
2. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is arguably one of the most important tools in Ayurvedic medicine. And they have their reasons to believe so. The western world is also relying on this herb to be consumed as a supplement and as part of skincare to reap its many benefits.
From an ayurvedic perspective, Ashwagandha is an adaptogen (it can strengthen the immune system by reducing stress inside out), one that can bring the most effective regenerative ingredients.
Ashwagandha is more in the spotlight when it comes to skincare lately as stress and its effects on the skin have been of great interest to researchers lately.
Given its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, it is found effective in treating acne. When ingested, Ashwagandha is a stress pacifier, endurance booster, energy booster, and insomnia and memory power.
When applied to the skin, it improves skin’s cellular energy, fights free radicals, supports collagen generation, and reduces inflammation. Like ashwagandha, reishi mushrooms also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties for a skin health boost, which are available at Mushroom Revival.
3. Fulvic acid
Fulvic acid is still under the radar when it comes to skincare. However, a small handful of brands have begun developing their products with this ingredient, making it the next big thing. At its roots, fulvic acid isn’t very glamorous.
From what we know, fulvic acid is a substance derived from the humus of soil – to be more precise, it comes from the soil when plants start to decay.
Much like vitamin C, fulvic acid is an antioxidant ingredient, meaning it can shield your skin against environmental factors like smoke, UV light, and pollution. These, as you well know, can have dulling effects on your skin.
Fulvic acid contains liquid minerals, which can be great when teamed with a vitamin C serum or sunscreen for an increased brightening effect.
You might not hear about fulvic acid in Europe, but researchers say that skincare obsessives in the East have been using the ingredient for some time, as it has its roots in Chinese medicine.
4. Vitamin C
Vitamin C supplements and topicals are legendary for a reason: They actually work.
As far as our skin is concerned, vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that can counteract free radicals. Given its antioxidant properties, vitamin C aids your skin to naturally regenerate.
That said, in the same way, that having an antioxidant-rich diet aids your body in fighting off free radicals, topicals with vitamin C do the same for your skin by helping to offset daily aggressors like exposure to air pollution and UV damage.
Harvard University published an article on the skin health benefits of vitamin C. Studies show that combining vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid, and other natural topical ingredients can reduce skin redness and protect the skin from the sun ray’s long-term damage. Moreover, a three-month study of vitamin C formulation showed reduced fine lines and wrinkles and improve overall skin appearance.
The truth is, vitamin C’s skin-saving properties aren’t reduced to its antioxidant status. It brings other skin-healing properties that make it worthy of a permanent place in your medicine cabinet.
For one, due to its high acidity, when vitamin C is used topically, the skin is triggered to heal itself by accelerating the production of elastin and collagen.
Another amazing fact about this ingredient: It contains a property that hinders your skin’s melanin production, which is what causes skin discoloration like hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
5. Fern Extract
Remember, truly beautiful skin remains an inside job regardless of what cream or lotions you use. Fern extract, also known as Polypodium Leucotomos, protects your skin against UV- related aging and skin cancer. This natural extract from the famous fern plant has powerful effects on skin health, particularly in protecting skin from the sun.
As you well know, excessive sun exposure damages cellular DNA and causes wrinkling. UV exposure to your cellular DNA can cause a mutation that can lead to skin mutations.
Studies have shown that Polypodium Leucotomos extract can reduce sun-related skin damages and protect against brown spots, wrinkling, and skin cancer. You can also use it as a topical for an added layer of protection this summer.
When choosing beauty-boosting supplements to boost skin health, buy from reputable companies. Don’t settle on the first company you see online or untested referrals from acquaintances. Conduct thorough research on the company’s products and services. It’s also crucial to take time in comparing a couple of brands and reading verified testimonials. Moreover, your dermatologist can provide expert advice about skin health supplementation.
A healthy diet alone cannot provide your body with everything it needs. That’s why we can rely on natural supplements to ensure optimal nutrition by topping up with the essential minerals and vitamins our body greatly needs.
