Introduction
As we age, our skin can start to show signs of wear and tear. But, according to a new study, there are four supplements that can help keep your skin looking ageless and youthful. Eat This Not That has compiled the best supplements for ageless skin, so you can look and feel your best. From collagen to vitamin C, these supplements can help reduce wrinkles, improve skin elasticity, and even protect against sun damage. Read on to learn more about the four best supplements for ageless skin.
4 Best Supplements for Ageless Skin, New Study Finds
If you’re looking for ways to keep your skin looking young and healthy, you may want to consider adding certain supplements to your diet. A new study has found that four specific supplements can help you achieve ageless skin.
1. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect your skin from free radical damage. It also helps to boost collagen production, which helps keep your skin looking firm and youthful. Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits, bell peppers, and dark leafy greens.
2. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant that helps protect your skin from free radical damage. It also helps to reduce inflammation and can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Vitamin E can be found in nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.
3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for healthy skin. They help to reduce inflammation and can help keep your skin looking hydrated and supple. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts.
4. Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral that helps to protect your skin from environmental damage. It also helps to reduce inflammation and can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Zinc can be found in oysters, beef, and pumpkin seeds.
Adding these four supplements to your diet can help you achieve ageless skin. Be sure to talk to your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.
If you’re trying to make your skin look as healthy as possible, it helps to be sure you’re keeping it hydrated. For one thing, making sure your skin is moisturized can help it look better overall. Beyond that, though, if wrinkles are your main concern, it’s worth knowing that, when your skin has the moisture it needs, that hydration helps to obscure some of those fine lines that are more readily apparent in drier skin. While a high-quality moisturizer that works with your skin type is definitely a great first line of defense against dehydration, the nutrients in your body can also play a role.
Now, a new study identifies four supplements—collagen, ceramides, hyaluronan, and procyanidin—that could boost skin hydration.
In the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, researchers conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis (processes that synthesize the results of previous research on the subject, examining results across different studies) of 66 experiments. They found that the four aforementioned supplements were “proven to be effective” at moisturizing skin. On the other hand, for two other supplements that have been recommended, lactic acid bacteria and astaxanthin, the evidence was “insufficient.”
With some of these supplements, however, researchers could have been influenced by other factors, so it’s worth taking these findings with a grain of salt.
“There was possible bias stated in many studies including collagen and hyaluronan; researchers were employees of corporations providing supplements,” says Kathy Siegel, MS, RDN, CDN, a Nutrition Consultant at Kathy Siegel Nutrition and author of The 30-Minute Clean Eating Cookbook and Eating Clean Vegetarian Cookbook.
She suggests, instead, that you look at your diet on the whole, adding that focusing on nutrient-dense, whole foods “is the best start” when you’re thinking about how your diet can help you “maintain and restore healthy skin.”
In general, it seems like the consensus among nutrition professionals is that you’re best off taking this kind of broad approach than focusing on individual supplements.
“This study found beneficial effects for several supplements. While this may be so, I tend to take a food-first approach,” Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim, and member of our Medical Expert Board, says. “Eat a healthy diet, stay hydrated, and practice healthy skin hygiene. Beyond that, supplements may help but we don’t know long-term effects or interactions with medications.”
For more on how your food choices can affect your skin, be sure to check out these 22 Naturally Moisturizing Foods To Eat When You Have Dry Skin.
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Clara Olshansky