The ultimate guide to ingestible beauty

Are you frustrated by the lack of results that you are getting from your topical skin care routine? Why not look at what goes into your body? It may well be the answer to achieving the healthy, radiant skin you desire. 

Most topical skin care products can’t penetrate past the outermost layer of the skin, so there are limits to how much they improve skin health. What you ingest however, is released into the bloodstream and then reaches the lower layers of the skin, having a much greater impact on overall skin structure.

Here are some of our favourite natural products that can not only give you that inside-out glow, but also help your body to perform better.

Collagen

When taken orally, hydrolised collagen peptides have been shown to have a positive affect on the dermal layer of the skin. Clinical trials have shown that patients who take collagen experience a decrease in wrinkles and an improvement in skin hydration.

The participants in this trial experienced a 20% reduction in wrinkles around the eye area from only 8 weeks of collagen supplementation. The anti-wrinkle effects actually lasted for at least a month after the subjects stopped taking collagen. Another trial from 2014 found that daily consumption of collagen over the course of 12 weeks led to a reduction in skin dryness and wrinkles, and a sizeable increase in collagen within the skin dermis.

Collagen may also help to reduce cellulite. In 2015 a 6-month clinical study of 105 women aged between 24 and 50 found an improvement in the amount of cellulite, along with improved dermal density.

Hyaluronic acid

Like collagen, hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body. It can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, and is crucial to keeping our skin youthful and supple. Beauty Nectar, from Knowrish Well, contains fermented hyaluronic acid plus a host of other plant-based nutrients that can help to boost collagen production. This is a great option for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet.  

Omega 3s

Omega-3s are fats that are found in seafood and plant foods like chia seeds and flax seeds. These healthy fats can help to keep the skin supple and moisturized and may also provide a protective effect against UV rays, as shown in this study.

Omega-3 fatty acids have also been scientifically shown to reduce inflammation in the body, which is great news for your skin. And because there is evidence that acne may be caused by inflammation, omega-3s may indirectly combat acne. Plus, supplementing with omega 3s (alone or in combination with other nutrients) have been shown to lessen the occurrence of acne lesions.

Alkalising foods

Our skin is our largest organ in the body and a major detoxification pathway, so when we experience problems with the health of our skin, such as acne, eczema or psoriasis, this may be a sign that the body is acidic and is fighting to get the acids out. 

Alkaline forming foods are naturally high in the vitamins and minerals needed for healthy skin and hair—antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids and zinc.

Morlife’s alkalising greens have been formulated to alkalise and support the body, and are perfect for those looking to incorporate more alkalising foods in their diet.

Barley grass is an alkalising food that is great for the skin because it is a rich source of selenium, which helps to maintain the elasticity of the skin. Selenium is similar to vitamin E, in that it works to safeguard the protective coat around our cells.

Broccoli is another alkalising food that is also loaded with skin-loving nutrients including zinc, magnesium, and vitamin A. Plus it contains lutein, which is a type of vitamin that helps to protect the skin from oxidative damage—a major cause of wrinkles and dry skin.

Another powerful nutrient found in broccoli is a compound called sulforaphane, which boasts some impressive health benefits and has been shown to protect against sun damage. It works by neutralising harmful free radicals and switching on other defensive systems in the body.

Green tea

Originating in China, green tea is one of the healthiest drinks on the globe. It is loaded with antioxidants known as polyphenols (epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG in particular) that can help to protect our skin from environmental stressors such as UV rays, pollution and cigarette smoke. 

Diatomaceous earth 

Diatomaceous earth is the remains of fossilised algae called diatoms, whose cellular walls were made of silica. Every single cell in our bodies uses silica, however as we get older the levels in our body start to decline. This shows in the ageing of our skin, because silica is an essential component of elastin, which keeps the skin firm and tight. 

Supplementing silica may help soften skin and strengthen your nails. In this 20-week study, it was given to women with sun‑damaged skin, to evaluate its ability to improve skin and nail health. At the end of the study, there was a decrease in skin roughness and less brittle nails in the group that took silica compared to the women in the placebo group.

Noni juice

A favourite of the model Miranda Kerr, Noni is a bumpy green fruit that is native to the Polynesian islands of Tahiti, Fiji, and Hawaii where the volcanic soil and tropical climate enables the Noni tree to flourish.

This superfruit contains over 170 vitamins and nutrients and has been used for over 2000 years for its incredible health benefits. It’s rich in vitamin C, which is essential for skin health, as it is a co-factor to collagen production. Noni juice is also rich in other antioxidants such as beta carotene and vitamin E, which are known to curb the negative effects of free radicals that can damage our skin cells over time.