The widespread chatter around skincare usually is overshadowed by trendy skincare ingredients and celebrity 10-step routines. But your skin health has equally to do with what you put in your body as what you put on it. The connection between skin health and diet is well known, making way for many beauty supplements hitting the market. They often make tall claims about miraculously transforming your skin. But are skincare supplements actually effective? If yes, which ones should you spend a penny on and which ones deserve a miss? We posed this question to a few dermatologists, and here’s what they had to say.
Dr Madhuri Agarwal, Founder and Medical Director- Yavana Aesthetics Clinic, revealed, “Biotin for hair health is the most hyped supplement. I come across people consuming high strength Biotin without any qualm. However, no studies support the stand-alone benefit in hair loss. It has been proven harmful to your health when used in high dosage for prolonged periods. Vitamin E is another supplement used in the skin as it is hyped to have multiple benefits. It is not backed by studies to support the hype and can again cause detrimental effects to health.” FYI, hair gummies are very much part of this list; regardless of how yummy they are!
For Dr Stuti Khare Shukla, MD Dermatologist, Founder of Elements of Aesthetics, fondly known as the Hair Growth Queen of India, beauty supplements as meant to not make to “fix” any flaws by enriching beauty routines. She revealed her go-to supplements to be –
1. Collagen Shots- Collagen is a protein present beneath the skin. It is also the primary building block component for any hair follicle. It is crucial to take these shots because as you age, around your mid-20s, your body starts depleting on hyaluronic acid and collagen. Both of them are structural units responsible for keeping your skin tight and lifted.
2. Omega 3 Fatty Acids- It is perfect for people looking for a flawless glow in their skin. It is essential for various functions in the body. Omega 3 fatty acids are necessary for many biochemical cycles in the body.
3. Amino Acids- They are building blocks for the hair, and taking it is extremely important, which is why I make sure not to miss it.
4. Multivitamins- Certain multivitamins have a combination of micronutrients in the correct quantity = Vitamin D, Vitamin B-12, Zinc Pyrithione etc. When looking for multivitamin supplements, one should choose the ones that contain the combination of Zinc, Philanium, Titanium, Chromium, and Vitamin D, Vitamin B-12.
Too overwhelmed with the big, scary words we just used? You can always take a more simplified approach to beauty supplements which is what Dr. Arushi Dudeja, MD Dermatology & Hair Transplant Expert, Derma Clinix does. “There is no magic pill that will give you youthful skin, but a good diet including essential components may help you have clear, natural-looking skin. Remember, you can get all the vitamins your skin needs from a healthy diet. Popping supplements and applying vitamin bases skin products does not guarantee glowing skin. Still, it definitely helps you maintain the skin’s ability to repair and regenerate itself.” Her go-tos include –
–Vitamin A is necessary for healthy skin and maintaining normal cell division. It is also a major anti-ageing precursor and helps decrease the size of pores and sebaceous glands, thus, helpful in acne.
– Vitamin C is necessary to make and maintain collagen. It is also an essential antioxidant, thereby helping to repair sun-damaged skin. It is also helpful in treating hyperpigmentation. Overall, vitamin C is a very wholesome vitamin that dermatologists love.
– Vitamin D is obtained from supplements or from adequate sun exposure. It is majorly known for its role in maintaining the structural integrity of skin and hair. It has a protective effect against premature ageing caused by UV rays.
In conclusion, beauty supplements can actually be an excellent addition to your daily routine, granted you are getting an expert opinion around it. Dr Sejal Saheta, MD and DNB in Dermatology and Venereology, InUrSkn, confessed, “I believe that supplements can truly add to your skin and hair and directly fulfil the needs of your skin, hair and body. I personally prefer supplements for Vitamin C as it promotes natural collagen synthesis. I also prefer taking Antioxidants as they reduce the oxidative stress on your skin.”
She further elaborated, “I feel that there are a lot of over the counter beauty supplements available in the market that are packaged and sold to catch one’s eye, and they start consuming them with little or no knowledge. We see a lot of hyped supplements like chewable multivitamin gummies, which are not needed unless you are diagnosed with a deficiency. Also, collagen supplements that are widely used should be looked at with a suspicious eye as their efficacy and safety can be questionable. One should always consult an expert before trying on any new supplement.”
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