by SOPHIE MIURA | MYDOMAINE
We know that the right combination of supplements can boost your energy and improve brain health, but the benefits of those little pills extend far beyond your internal health. In fact, dermatologists say that if your skin has lost elasticity or become dull thanks to the change in seasons, your first point of call shouldn’t be Sephora—it should be your local pharmacy.
Sure, a swipe of foundation might provide an instant fix, but boosting your hydration and taking a supplement tailored to your skin’s needs will address the problem from within by boosting collagen production and more. Here, we quizzed leading dermatologists and nutrition experts with a simple question: What’s the one supplement you recommend for great, glowing skin?
The Issue: Hormonal Acne
The Fix: Zinc
“Hormonal acne describes the blemishes that rear their ugly head seven to 10 days before your period,” explains Taryn Forrelli, ND, a resident nutritionist at Olly. She argues that the key to beating acne is to balance your hormones during your cycle. “Supporting the body’s ability to properly metabolize hormones can help minimize their cyclical effects.”
Dermatologist Josh Zeichner, MD, recommends reaching for zinc when hormonal acne flares up. “Zinc has anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to help calm acne breakouts,” he says. While Forrelli agrees this is a great go-to fix, she says to take it with vitamin B6 for an added punch. “Vitamin B6 plays a role in reducing the skin’s sensitivity to testosterone while zinc helps regulate the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which revs up oil production,” she explains. “Zinc also supports the immune system’s role in keeping skin clear and plays a role in the generation of new, healthy skin cells—key for repairing the damage done by blemishes.”
Choose your area of focus—from dullness to hormonal acne—and beeline to the pharmacy for next-level, luminous skin.
The Issue: Dullness
The Fix: Fish Oil
Dermatologists agree: Fish oil supplements are one of the best ways to give dull skin new life. “Omega-3 fatty acids do a ton for your skin but especially can help turn dull skin brighter by preventing them from drying out,” explains Brooke Alpert, MS, RD, CDN, and founder of B Nutritious. “Wild salmon is my favorite dull skin fix for the great source of omega-3 fatty acids, or of course a great supplement.”
Dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, calls fish oil a “powerhouse ingredient” that does so much more than improve dull skin. “It is a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce photodamage and wrinkles, improve skin texture, and help with collagen production,” he says. “You can get it from citrus fruits and leafy greens,” or in supplement form.
If you’re currently taking a fish oil supplement and haven’t seen an improvement, Forrelli recommends taking probiotics to balance the “good bacteria” in your gut. “An imbalance in your gut microflora can trigger inflammation and in turn rob your skin of precious hydration,” she explains. “Emerging research suggests that supplementation with probiotics like lactobacilli and bifidobacteria can help improve hydration and induce a beneficial glow.” Who wouldn’t want that?
The Issue: Loss of Skin Elasticity
The Fix: Collagen + Vitamin C
“Your skin’s elasticity is largely determined by the quantity and quality of collagen your skin cells produce,” says Forrelli. “Starting in our 20s, collagen production begins to decrease, and by the time we are in our mid-40s, the loss starts to manifest as skin looseness or slack.”
That doesn’t mean you’re powerless to biology, though. “Vitamin C is a key nutrient involved in collagen production, so taking a supplement to boost your daily intake can help ensure natural production is optimized,” she says. Alpert recommends combining it with a collagen supplement for better results. “It’s also smart to supplement with a collagen powder like Reserveage’s collagen booster to help support the collagen in our skin and keep it youthful,” she says.
The Issue: Fine Lines
The Fix: Hyaluronic Acid
Sure, aging is inevitable, but there are some ways to cushion the process. “Skin aging is a result of damage to skin structures and processes caused by free radicals. They trigger inflammation, increase pigmentation, break down collagen, impair circulation, and decrease production of hyaluronic acid,” explains Forrelli.
While hyaluronic acid, the “skin’s natural moisture molecule,” is found in a lot of creams and lotions, she says there’s no point applying it topically. “It sounds good in theory, [but] it is nearly impossible for topically applied hyaluronic acid to penetrate into the deep layers of the skin’s dermis where it is needed to retain moisture.” Instead, opt for a supplement and boost your intake of antioxidants—”blueberries, Aronia berry, pomegranate, and sea buckthorn are some of the most powerful out there,” she says.
