10 minute read
FEATURE: INJESTIBLE BEAUTY
Ingestible Beauty
Discover a holistic approach to achieving healthy, radient-looking skin.
-by NIKITA PAPAS
From The Inside Out
THE RISE OF NUTRACEUTICALS
Undoubtedly, the global pandemic has highlighted our ‘fragility’ and the need to maintain a robust immune system from the inside out. With ‘health’ firmly cemented as the future of skincare, the unwavering focus on self-care, wellbeing, and sustenance has seen consumers become increasingly savvy about efficacious, ingredientdriven skincare. The adopted at-home rituals that contributed to the health of our skin during periods of lockdown, have become entrenched into our daily routines. Fuelled by the expertise of key opinion leaders including aesthetic doctors, dermatologists, dieticians and naturopaths, skincare protocols that speak to a holistic approach are resonating with receptive, wellness-focussed consumers. The conversation is expanding to embrace restoration of the skin microbiome and skin barrier function, the crucial gut-skin axis, and the role of ingestible supplements, (particularly bioactive collagen peptides), to promote healthy, radiant-looking skin. Enter nutraceuticals.
According to Insights Analytics, the size of the global ingestible beauty market was valued at US$3.29 billion in 2021, and is expected to reach US$8.30 billion by 2030. The forecasted, steadfast growth is impressive for a category that is still relatively new. Our considered skincare arsenal is no longer restricted to the topical formulations housed in the bathroom cabinet. A growing body of scientific evidence is emerging to support the benefits of premium ingestible supplements, to achieve and maintain the health of our skin. Suddenly, the retail landscape has become saturated with an array of brands offering ingestible beauty solutions. From a marketing perspective, the brand narratives are engaging, the packaging is slick, and the claims are triggering the holistic-inspired purchasing decisions, we are now making about optimising the health of our skin. The dialogue has been consumed with all-pervading mentions about collagen.
COLLAGEN DECODED
Collagen is a hard, insoluble, and fibrous protein that occurs throughout the human body, but especially in the skin, bones, and connective tissues. “As the most abundant protein in the body, collagen forms the primary structural component of the dermis (or middle layer of the skin).
It is responsible for strengthening and supporting skin, and plays an important role in cellular processes including tissue repair and immune response. In the dermis, collagen promotes a network of cells called fibroblasts upon which new cells can grow, and plays a role in replacing and restoring dead skin cells. As we age, (particularly from our mid-twenties), collagen becomes fragmented, the fibroblast function becomes impaired, and collagen production slows. The damage and depletion lead to visible signs of ageing including dry, sagging skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of radiance”, says dermatologist Dr Cara McDonald (Complete Skin Specialists, VIC).
Multiple kinds of collagen have been identified, but the vast majority are grouped into three categories, known as Types I, II, and III. Type I is the most abundant in the human body and like Type III, it’s aligned to improving skin elasticity and hydration, strengthening nails and hair, and promoting a healthy gut. Type II makes up the majority of the protein molecules found in cartilage – the connective tissue that protects bones at the joints. There are two primary forms of commercially available collagen supplements – bovine, sourced from cow by-products, and marine, extracted from fish by-products including the skin and scales.
The latter is rich in Type I collagen that that has been shown to be absorbed up to 1.5 more efficiently with enhanced bioavailability – this equates to a higher absorption rate to achieve maximum results. To increase collagen’s bioavailability, the collagen found in leading supplements is hydrolysed – typically via an enzymatic process that results in the formation of peptides, to maximise absorption through the gastrointestinal tract.
OCEAN SOURCED
In early 2021, ahead of international expansion, Vida Glow disrupted the nutraceutical arena with a future-perfect rebrand anchored by an arresting new visual identity. The relaunch spoke to the brand’s prioritisation of product efficacy, first-to-market innovation, and alignment to revered, ambassador skincare professionals. Vida Glow’s signature product - Natural Marine Collagen – utilises Type I collagen from sustainably sourced fish skin to improve skin firmness, and promote healthy hair and nails. The brand’s science-backed efficacy and clinical trials (conducted over an 8-week period on mature women), revealed that 70% of the participants recorded a significant improvement to eye wrinkles, and 68% experienced an increase in skin hydration. Available in Original, and 6 mouth-watering flavours including Blueberry, Mango, and Peach, the pre-portioned sachets offer a convenient daily fix of 100% dissolvable, bioavailable collagen with an absorption rate of 90%+.
BYBETH.COM
Created to deliver powerful changes through simple, daily wellness habits, Cilk Beauty’s clean and sustainable beauty supplements are designed to create and maintain healthy, luminous-looking skin from the inside out. The brand journey commenced in 2017 with the sensorial Rose Extract – a concentrated, antioxidant-rich elixir formulated with certified Organic Rosa Damascena (Damask Rose), to assist with the regeneration of epidermal skin cells, aid digestion, and hydrate from within.
Recently launched, the brand’s Daily Radiance Collagen is formulated with Type I and III marine collagen sourced from fully traceable, discarded wild cod fish skins, from the pristine waters of Norway in the North Atlantic Ocean. Cilk Beauty’s considered processing of the skins excludes the use harsh chemicals to ensure maximum retention of the beneficial nutrients. The odorless formula offers 10,000mg of hydrolysed collagen peptides in one 10mg serve, making Daily Radiance Collagen one of the most potent, convenient, and affordable marine collagen supplements on the market.
BOVINE BEAUTY
Habitual Beauty’s Advanced Skin + Gut Health Collagen Elixir is formulated with Type I and II hydrolysed collagen peptides, sustainably sourced from the hides of Argentinian bovine cattle. The innovative formula is also infused with 17 essential and non-essential amino acids, and is fortified with a proprietary blend of 24 bioactive ingredients. These include essential vitamins, minerals, omegas, digestive enzymes, and pre, pro and post biotics, to promote multiple gut and skin health benefits.
Pre, pro, and post biotics? If we think of the gut as a garden, prebiotics are the soil and fertiliser, probiotics are the seeds that grow into plants, and postbiotics are the edible fruit. Simply put, prebiotics feed probiotics which produce beneficial postbiotics. Each one-serve sachet of Advanced Skin + Gut Health Collagen Elixir offers 10,000 mg of bioavailable collagen across 4 tantalising flavours - Dutch Chocolate, Madagascan Vanilla, Sicilian Blood Orange, and Yuzu + Finger Lime. By Beth’s premium, bovine collagen offering is ethically sourced from Australian pasteurised, grass-fed cattle backed by strict quality controls and best practice systems that consider traceability, food safety and sustainability.
HABITUALBEAUTY.CO
The formula utilises Type I and II collagen with a curated infusion of native, antioxidant-rich, hydrating botanicals including Muntries, Wattleseeds, Strawberry Gum, and Quandong. Often referred to as the ‘Desert Peach’, the Quandong fruit is renowned for its medicinal purposes, and superior levels of Vitamins C to stimulate collagen production, and fight free radicals responsible for premature ageing. Designed to be used for life, the signature By Beth refillable vessel is comprised of UV protected glass and wood – an ‘object of desire’ that acts as a constant reminder that beauty begins from within.
THE GUT-SKIN AXIS
Founded in 2009 by Carla Oates (a pioneer of the nutraceutical category), The Beauty Chef offers a comprehensive range of bio-fermented, wholefood, probiotic-rich supplements to promote digestive health, glowing skin, and general wellbeing. Born from a mission to address her daughter’s skin allergies and eczema, (issues that she had also experienced as a child), Carla introduced her family to a gut-healing protocol that led to a profound wellness journey.
An experienced Beauty Writer, she understood the power of the gut-skin axis, and began experimenting with lacto-fermenting, skin-loving superfoods in her Bondi kitchen. “Where there is gut inflammation, there will be skin inflammation – a leading cause of premature ageing and lacklustre skin. Studies also show that people who have a healthier gut microbiota, may have a healthier fatty acid profile in their skin – this profile contributes to a more hydrated, firmer, and radiant- looking complexion”, says Oats.
THEBEAUTYCHEF.COM
The Beauty Chef ’s debut inner beauty powder was aptly named Glow. Infused with 18 certified organic wholefoods, this best-selling, nutrient-dense powder is designed to promote optimal gut and skin health. The supercharged formula is also infused with Provitamin A and Zinc to combat the visible signs of ageing, fortify hair, nails and immunity.
“Think of it as your daily multivitamin, specifically formulated to support gut health, create glowing skin from within, and improve your overall wellbeing”, says Oates. To amplify the powder’s glow-boosting benefits, the brand’s Collagen Inner Beauty Boost liquid elixir is formulated with an array of free radical scavengers including antioxidant-rich Papaya and Pomegranate Extracts, and Vitamin C to promote the production of collagen. Both these vegan products are formulated with The Beauty Chef ’s exclusive ‘Flora Culture’ bio-fermentation process – a unique method that utilises12 species of beneficial bacteria to break down the ingredients and supercharge their bioavailability.
Developed by nutritionist and skin expert, Fiona Tuck, Vita- Sol’s range includes pure marine collagen, organic herbal blends, and nutritionally dense wholefood powders to target specific skin concerns. Free from added sugar, artificial sweeteners and additives, the formulas are comprised of organic plant derived vitamins, minerals, sprouted blends, pre and post biotics, and phytonutrients to support gut and skin health. “Nourishing the body with bioavailable ingredients sourced from wholefoods is the foundation to achieving healthy, radiant- looking skin.
I advocate a holistic approach that embraces - first and foremost - a healthy diet, complemented by premium nutraceutical supplements, and an efficacious topical skincare routine. This is the future of beauty”, says Tuck. Designed to support liver, gut and skin health, Vita-Sol’s Purity Greens is formulated with an organic greens and sprout blend that includes Dandelion, Kiwi Fruit, Milk Thistle, organic greens, and cruciferous (cabbage family) vegetables.
Showcasing a refreshing flavour with a hint of lime, the nourishing gut powder is also blended with Vitamin C sourced from organic Acerola Cherries, prebiotic fibre from organic Jerusalem Artichoke, B Vitamins and Zinc – consider it a supercharged, multi-active concentrate ideal for problematic skin. Used in conjunction with a prescribed, topical skincare routine, Purity Greens is designed to promote a healthy, clarified-looking complexion.
LAST WORD
As the largest and most readily visible organ in the human body, skin provides valuable insights about our inner health. The epidermal skin on our faces is arguably the most susceptible to premature ageing including fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness and radiance. To thrive and remain resilient, skincare requires a holistic approach that begins with a balanced, wholefood diet rich in fruit and vegetables, and healthy sources of fat and protein.
Diet is paramount, but our love affair with topical skincare will remain unwavering. The beauty highway has now expanded to embrace nutraceutical supplements. When it comes to ingesting inside-out beautifying products, consult the expert advice of a healthcare professional to determine your specific needs. Be informed – complement, don’t complicate.
The limelight is focussed on premium supplements including collagen, fermented superfoods, organic antioxidant-rich wholefoods, and prescribed probiotics. Superior bioavailability is key. Our quest to create harmony and health from the inside out is not new. Beauty has never been skin deep.
