Beauty from the inside out: the best edible products for every concern

When our skin is looking a little dull and lacklustre, we usually turn to skin care products to solve the problem. The same goes for treating pimples and acne and a loss of firmness. And who hasn’t turned to hair treatments when trying to improve hair growth? 

While the beauty industry certainly provides some excellent topical skin and hair products that can solve all kinds of beauty dilemmas, we’re seeing a steady increase in supplements and ingestibles that can help a variety of beauty woes. Our outer appearance relies on what’s happening inside, after all. 

"Oral beauty powders and liquids are growing in popularity as the holistic approach to treating the skin from the inside out continues to grow. The skin is a direct reflection of our inner health and wellbeing and is the first place to show signs of nutritional deficiencies," says Fiona Tuck, skin expert and nutritional medicine practitioner.

Acne

Problematic skin can often stem from what’s happening in your gut or even from blockages when it comes to your blood flow, so it could help to look into products that can help manage and clear acne by sorting out what’s going on inside. Start by working the JSHealth Skin+Digestion tablets ($44.99 at JSHealth) into your routine. Designed to reduce symptoms of acne and pimples (as well as mild eczema and dermatitis), the formula heroes acne-fighting zinc as well as turmeric, which is traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to relieve digestive discomfort, working to aid the issue from the inside out.

Congestion

Apple cider vinegar is one of those pantry ingredients that has grown in popularity when it comes to health and beauty (you can see some of the benefits of apple cider vinegar here). While most of the skin benefits from apple cider vinegar come from using it topically, ingesting it can also work to help with congestion and blemishes. 

Regular ingestion of apple cider vinegar can help improve gut health and digestion, which in turn can have a positive effect on your skin, leaving it smoother and more glowing. While you can sip your way through a bottle of apple cider vinegar to reap its internal benefits, it’s not the most palatable liquid. Tonik Apple Cider Vinegar Tablets ($45 at The Iconic) are a good alternative. The small capsules are (quite literally) easy to swallow and contain only apple cider vinegar inside.

Premature grey hairs

Not to get too deep into the science behind how and why hair goes grey, but it essentially has to do with your melanin production, so if you can help keep that going, you can expect to put off grey hairs for longer. And while there is no hard-and-fast solution, you can look to supplements to help in the melanin department. B vitamins are known to help restore hair to its original colour, while also helping prevent hair from turning grey. Now Foods' PABA capsules ($12.86 at iHerb) contain para-aminobenzoic acid, which is found in food such as grains, eggs, milk and meat. It is a precursor of folic acid and has been known to help reverse greying hair within one to two months. Don't believe us? Just check out the reviews.

A lacklustre complexion

There are so many things that can help improve a dull and lacklustre complexion – increasing vitamin C in your skin care products, ensuring you exfoliate regularly and your skin is properly hydrated are all a good start. But have you ever considered trying to get the glow from within? 

The Beauty Chef Glow Inner Beauty Powder ($69 at Sephora) is a bio-fermented probiotic that works to help improve skin health and resilience by improving digestion and overall gut health for skin that radiates. It also harnesses the power of vitamin C to help improve collagen formation, support normal immune function and protect cells from oxidative stress (in summary: helps skin look younger for longer). Simply sprinkle over your breakfast or add to your daily smoothie - it’s as easy as that.

Dehydrated skin

Now that winter is well and truly here, chances are you've had to tweak your skin care routine to include some extra-nourishing products to counteract the cold.

While you may have heard about the advantages of adding an oil to your skin care routine to up hydration, have you ever considered drinking one? Your standard facial oils have definitely not been formulated for ingesting, but Bestow Beauty Oil ($50.95 at Active Skin) has been created to be an ‘edible moisturiser’, which works from the inside to help improve the barrier function of your skin, leaving it smoother and more supple. The best part? You don’t have to worry about drinking the oil straight. It actually absorbs better in the body when mixed in with a smoothie or salad dressing, or when drizzled over your food.

The first signs of ageing

If you’ve noticed some tell-tale lines around your eyes or mouth and feel like it’s far too early for them to be making an appearance, you may need to add some serious anti-ageing ingredients into your routine to keep your skin healthier and looking more youthful.

Collagen in particular is a great way to restore a youthful glow. Natural collagen production stops at the age of 25, which is when you may notice your skin starting to change. Collagen is important for providing structure, strength and support throughout your entire body. It also plumps the complexion, while adding a bit of glow back into your life.

Vida Glow and FOREO recently collaborated to create a Daily Facial Kit ($309 at Vida Glow) that cleanses, firms and brightens skin. It includes Vida Glow’s Natural Marine Collagen and Radiance, as well as FOREO's LUNA™ mini 3 facial device. The collagen-infused formula helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while firming and plumping the skin. It also reduces free radical damage to support skin tone and texture, as well as enhancing skin's internal structure and strength. Plus, a whole heap more!

Dull hair

Hair lost its shine? Are serums, oils and treatments helping, but not quite getting you there? Then it might be worth upping your hair health from the inside. 

Ingredients like silica and biotin have been known to help improve hair health and growth (and, interestingly, are good for improving nail health, too), so looking for them in supplements is a good start. You can reap both of these benefits (and much more) with the Welleco Hair Elixir ($50 at Myer). These capsules work by supporting the hair’s structural integrity, promoting healthier keratin production and even aiding with feelings of stress and supporting healthy thyroid function.

If you take these as directed, you should have shiny, healthy and luscious locks within two to three months.

Stagnant hair growth

Determined to grow your hair long and strong? You'll benefit from having a hair growth supplement like the JSHealth Hair + Energy Formula ($44.99 at JSHealth) on your side.

Formulated to support hair health and growth, these tablets help your hair (plus your nails and skin) to reap the almighty benefits of zinc, which is able to effectively maintain and enhance hair thickness and strength. Did someone say Rapunzel mane?! We see one in your future.

Lack of skin plumpness

There’s no greater feeling than having skin that has that ‘bounce’; that firmness that make us feel like we’ve reached our skin goals. So how do we reclaim that youthful plumpness when it seems to have faded? As with most skin issues, there are a plethora of products and ingredients that will work to improve skin elasticity and firmness, but if you’re looking for a solution that’s a little different (and definitely tastier), natural marine collagen powder could be just what you need. 

Added to your morning breakfast or mixed into a glass of water (or even in your tea or coffee), Vida Glow Natural Marine Collagen ($70 at Vida Glow) works to “increase the collagen levels in the body, as well as [stimulate] the body’s natural production of collagen,” says founder Anna Lahey. In short? An increase in collagen and collagen production can help leave skin more hydrated, which then helps smooth lines and wrinkles, and increase firmness and elasticity for a plumper appearance.

Main image credit: Sevak Babkhani

Looking to add more supplements to your routine? Here are some supplements that will help boost the health of your hair, skin and nails.

Ensure to read the label of any supplements you are taking and consult with your doctor first.