17 Amazing Skin Supplements To Get You That Year-Round Glow
There is no disputing the fact that good skin comes from within. We can all remember a time when we’ve over-indulged for a few days – the festive season is but one example – with the effects manifesting on our faces in the form of dullness, dehydration and blemishes. And, while consuming a balanced and nutritious diet is essential, sometimes it can be helpful to support healthy eating with a skin supplement.
“Skincare is a far more complex and holistic practice than simply the application of topical formulas,” says Arabella Preston, make-up artist and co-founder of skincare brand Votary. “Our emotions, lifestyle and diet all play an intrinsic role in our skin health. If you’re not eating or sleeping well, or are suffering from stress or anxiety, chances are it will show in your skin.” Dr Yannis Alexandrides, cosmetic surgeon and founder of 111Skin agrees, explaining that it’s all part of the gut-skin connection. What we ingest reaches our gut, and from there, all manner of bodily processes are affected.
“I believe you need to focus on the inside first,” says skin expert Jasmina Vico. “It’s about nourishing and re-educating your body. Getting your organs to start communicating again and colonising your gut with good bacteria.” That’s where clever skin supplements come in.
Read more: The Best Probiotics For Gut Health
But which nutrients and vitamins do we need to boost our skin health? Preston explains that vitamins like A, C and E all play a vital role in good skin health, while others include vitamin B (including B3, which is niacinamide, that is both anti-inflammatory and an excellent antioxidant), and zinc. “There are also certain nutrients like essential fatty acids that our bodies cannot synthesise yet are crucial to our bodily health,” she says. It’s therefore important that we supplement.
So what are the best skin supplements on the market right now? Discover 13 of them here.
In this article:
The most talked-about ingredient to support with healthy skin ageing, collagen supplements are designed to support the skin’s own production of the protein that steadily decline from our mid-twenties. It is known as the scaffolding for the skin as it is responsible for structure, elasticity and strength and so replenishing can assist in firming the skin, while also supporting in the health of our joints.
Vida Glow
Radiance Advanced Repair Capsules
Powered by SkinAx2™ – a multitasking blend of antioxidants that protect collagen, regulate melanin, and boost circulation – this is a supplement to add to your arsenal if you’re after brightened blemishes and more radiant skin overall.
Nourished
Best collagen for: gummies
Type: 3D printed gummy
Key ingredients: Ovomet® (a naturally-occurring matrix of three types of collagen, elastin, glucosamine and hyaluronic acid derived from eggshell membranes) vitamins C & B12, ferrous citrate and maca powder
Why Vogue loves it: Nourished made its name printing bespoke multivitamins for your exact deficiencies, and its new range of collagen supplements takes that same tailor-made approach. There are stacks clinically proven to support an Age Rewind, Hair Skin & Nails, Sleep, Joint Health, and Energy, so you can choose collagen personalised for your goals. The gummies come in purse-friendly packets which are vegetarian and sugar-free, and full of flavour. They make your daily dose a treat you’ll look forward to. Supporting smoother skin with collagen, biotin, selenium and elastin, this supplement also strengthens hair, nails and joints. Plus, it goes down a treat with the fruity apple taste.
Vogue-approved review: “Those with very busy schedules will know that preparing (and remembering to take) collagen supplements can feel like a chore. Determined to stay consistent, I stashed a few of the Nourished Collagen Energy stacks in my desk at work, handbag and kitchen drawer, and they quickly became my go-to during the morning rush. Highly snackable, they taste great and actually help offset fatigue – so much so I’d find myself forgoing coffee to chew on these instead. Looking up their ingredients, I’m certain that was the work of maca root powder, iron and vitamin B12 which science backs for a sustained energy boost. By the end of the course, I also noticed a reduction in my usual eyebags – the entire eye contour felt much more plump. I love the idea of taking a collagen supplement that can improve more than just skin. I’ll be putting in a subscription order for these and the Sleep support stacks next.”
Vital Proteins
This is Jennifer Aniston’s collagen supplement of choice. Sourced from sustainably caught wild fish, it helps boost collagen stores for plumper, juicier skin.
ARTAH
Promoting collagen production and skin regeneration, while also helping to treat acne, hydrating and reducing inflammation, take these Artah supplements for any and all skin issues.
Skincare brand Oskia has launched its own supplement, which contains a sulphur compound that supports collagen production, and black pepper extract to help the body absorb higher levels of a chemical compound called MSM, which helps reduce inflammation. These are perfect for you if your skin is reactive and needs some TLC.
Taking vitamin C has been stressed since our childhoods but if you’re looking to forgo your morning orange juice to cut down the sugar, you can supplement the ingredient and still maximise the immunity boost that it provides as well as its role as an antioxidant to protect the cells, boost collagen and support the skin, blood vessels and bones.
Altrient
Why it’s Vogue-approved: The phospholipid bubbles in this liposomal vitamin C gel are designed to help protect the nutrient through digestion and improve its uptake in the body. If you suffer from gastric issues, this is a great high-strength supplement that won’t disrupt a sensitive stomach. For maximum efficacy, take on an empty stomach.
Vitamin C per serving: 1000mg
Form: Gel
Serving size: 1 sachet a day
Contains: 30 sachets
Wild Nutrition
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Vitamin C isn’t just essential for immune support; it also plays a huge role in collagen formation in the body, which is needed for healthy skin and bones. In addition to vitamin C, each capsule also contains flavonoids, antioxidants that are important for reducing inflammation and protecting the body against chronic diseases.
Vitamin C per serving: 350mg
Form: Capsules
Serving size: 2 capsules a day
Contains: 60 capsules
A buzzword in the wellness community, NAD is another naturally-occuring skin-supporting powerhouse. It has many different roles in the body, existing in almost every cell, but for the skin, it’s involved with cellular maintenance and repair. Like collagen, production slows as you get older so supplement can be helpful to boost the cell’s resilience against oxidative and environmental stress.
ARTAH
ARTAH Enhanced NAD+ Complex
Why it’s Vogue-approved: As well as containing a hefty dose of NAD+ precursors like nicotinamide riboside and resveratrol, this daily dose supplement also contains luteolin, a flavonoid which supports the recycling of NAD+ in your body, meaning less of the body’s precious stores are depleted.
Worth knowing: The formulation also includes plenty of phytonutrients and plant extracts like saffron that improve low mood and boost mental clarity.
Capsules: 60
NAD+ At Home
NAD+ At Home Liposomal NAD+ Capsules
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Unlike many other NAD+ supplements, this uses a liposomal delivery system which encapsulates NAD+ itself in a shell that mimics cell membranes. As well as increased bioavailability which means enhanced absorption into the cells, it bypasses the digestive system which doesn’t tend to tolerate NAD+ directly.
Worth knowing: Claiming to be one of the most effective NAD+ supplements on the market, this aims to deliver a minimum absorption rate of 60 per cent, or at least 150mg of NAD+ per capsule directly into the bloodstream.
Capsules: 30
Fish oil supplements are more commonly associated with eye health and heart function but there are benefits for the skin too, especially when paired with CoQ10 that energises the cells or when omega-7 is harnessed as it supports skin health.
Ancient + Brave
Why it’s Vogue-approved: While omega-3 is important for eye, heart and brain health, omega-7 also has an important role to play. Alongside omega-3 sourced from algae, this supplement contains omega-7 from sea buckthorn. As well as supporting skin health and promoting fat metabolism, omega-7 can help reduce inflammation, balance cholesterol and improve digestion.
What it contains: 150mg EPA, 300mg DHA, 50mg omega-7
Dosage: 60 soft gels, two a day
Thorne
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Alongside EPA and DHA from cold water fish, this contains a healthy dose of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a powerful antioxidant that plays an important role in cellular energy production and which enables better absorption of omega-3. That means that as well as all the anti-inflammatory benefits of omega-3 there are also plenty of heart health benefits too.
What it contains: 450 mg EPA, 180mg DHA, CoQ10
Dosage: 90 gel caps, one a day
Best Supplements for Acne
Acne sufferers may find that supplements boosted with the likes of vitamin E, A or zinc may assist in clearing the complexion. The latter ingredient helps reduce inflammation and regulate oil production.
Vida Glow
Suffering from breakouts? You need Vida Glow’s Clear capsules, which harness the power of live bacteria to support the skin’s microbiome and escort blemishes from the premises.
The Nue Co.
Suffering from redness, irritation or breakouts? Cult brand The Nue Co’s capsules target the three main causes of dull and uneven skin: collagen depletion, impaired microcirculation and the overproduction of melanin. Say hello to better skin almost overnight.
Best Supplements to Support Skin From Environmental Aggressors
If you are looking to strengthen the skin barrier, you may want to take an approach from the inside-out. Look for antioxidants like vitamin C, E, zinc or selenium to neutralise free radical damage, while also encouraging collagen synthesis.
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Skin
With vitamins C and E, selenium, and glutathione, Dr Sturm’s supplement works to protect skin from the sun – and the rashes and heat-related skin issues that come with it.
Advanced Nutrition Programme
If you find yourself in front of any kind of screen each day, then chances are blue light is impacting your skin – and accelerating the ageing process. To help shield and protect it, these capsules contain vitamin E, lutein, biotin and olive fruit.
Best Skin Supplements For Anti-Ageing
Energising cells with ingredients like NAD, CoQ10, reservatrol, collagen or vitamin D may assist in supporting skin’s elasticity and firmness.
Lumity
If you want to know what the likes of Kate Moss and Angelina Jolie take for their skin, it’s Lumity. Promising firmer, stronger skin as well as improved energy levels in general, the Lumity day and night duo contain everything from turmeric, magnesium and omegas to zinc, an array of vitamins and iodine for an all-bases-covered effect.
Victoria Health
Dose by VH NAD+ Generator
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Formulated specifically to help support the body’s own NAD+ production, this daily supplement does so with a patented complex that combines bioenergy ribose with nicotinamide. It also boosts ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which provides cells with energy, and glutathione to combat free radical damage.
Worth knowing: Added vitamin C helps to support proper immune function.