Beauty Supplements: Nutrition for Skin, Hair, and Nail Health
Beauty supplements are food products consumed with a normal daily diet to balance all essential nutrients an individual requires. Thus, every body part requires it, including skin, bones, muscles, etc. They serve as backup for days when diets are deficient.
The skin is our body’s first protection layer against external threats, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation, mechanical stress, and bacterial infection. One of the numerous elements necessary for the upkeep of general skin health is nutrition. A poor nutritional state changes the skin’s biological function and structural integrity, creating an aberrant skin barrier. Consuming all essential substances, such as vitamin C, E, etc., as mentioned in the RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance), is necessary to meet healthy skin.
Skin Health Nourishment
Beauty supplements are products/ingredients specifically formulated to nourish and maintain the skin’s health. They contain both macronutrients and micronutrients, each with its advantages. For example, calcium and vitamin C are necessary to differentiate keratinocytes, a significant epidermal cell type. Vitamins A and C are beneficial for skin cancer prevention, protection against acne and ichthyosis & wound healing.
These supplements fall under the most popular category after sports supplements, as people are becoming more conscious about their health. Beauty supplements are marketed in segments- hair health, skin health, nail health, and others (oral care). The global market of male and female beauty supplements has shown a positive effect. The demand for natural and organic ingredients drives the market’s significant growth. Within beauty supplements, supplements for skin cover almost 49 % of the market, hair care 29%, and nail care 15 %, while other categories like teeth care cover the remaining portion, etc.
In this article, we will discuss beauty supplements, the most common ingredients used in formulating beauty supplements, and leading companies in the business of beauty and health supplements.
What Are Beauty Supplements?
Food ingredients/ products used to improve skin, hair & nails and fight aging signs are categorized as beauty supplements. They often come in various dosage forms, including liquids, tablets, powders, and capsules.
The ingredients used in beauty supplements have been scientifically certified for their benefits to the skin or skin-related issues.
Food supplements are meant to “supplement” the diet and provide certain vital nutrients that are not present or are less in quantity than the recommended dietary allowance, i.e., as per RDA in the diet.
The basic ingredients in beauty supplements are collagen, vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids, vitamin A, vitamin C, etc., essential to the skin’s health (like hyaluronic acid) with an optimum concentration.
How to Choose Beauty Supplements?
The market of beauty supplements & other categories of supplements is full of fake products that cannot provide the benefits they claim. So, before choosing the product, customers are advised to check whether the products are verified. Skin’s function and its healthy appearance depend on a sufficient supply of essential nutrients (vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids).
Suppose crucial nutrients are not consumed in adequate quantities. In that case, the body starts reacting towards the deficiency and shows its adverse effects like skin & hair aging, skin roughness, wrinkles, hair damage, nail plate discoloration, etc. High-quality beauty supplements are rich in required nutrients and help heal skin, hair & nail issues. Different skin issues need distinct supplements, e.g., collagen hydrolysate supplements improve skin moisture levels and reduce skin dryness. They improve the skin’s elasticity, reducing wrinkles, nasolabial fold depth, greater smoothness, and less skin roughness. They are also helpful in improving hair strength and nail growth.
It is highly advised to consult qualified healthcare personnel before using any supplement. The diversity of the skin, hair & nails makes it necessary to choose a specific supplement as per the body’s requirements and the targeted parts.
Common Ingredients & Their Benefits in Beauty Supplements
A long range of ingredients are used in beauty supplements, and their names are based on active constituents. Exemplary ingredients include hyaluronic acid, collagen, fish oil, multivitamins, minerals (e.g., calcium, zinc), CoQ10, etc. Some valuable ingredients supplementing skin, hair & nails are described below.
About Collagen
Collagen is animals’ most abundant structural protein in skin, ligaments, and connective tissues. The production of collagen decreases with time and causes the most common problem, i.e., aging.
Collagen helps to provide structure to the skin, fortify the bones & help in healing joint pains, maintains the scalp’s health for better hair growth, and helps nails to grow. There are 28 types, but the most commonly used collagen in beauty supplements are collagen type I, II, III, V, and X. Among these, type I collagen constitutes 90% of body collagen, which also help to improve skin quality, hair growth, and nail growth.
No health risk is associated with the consumption of collagen, but some collagen is made with common food allergens, like shellfish or eggs. There is no such RDA for collagen, but some studies recommend that adults consume between 2.5 to 15 grams daily to attain certain health benefits.
Fish Oil (Omega-3 Fatty Acids)
Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Omega-3 fatty acids are unsaturated essential fatty acids that mammals cannot synthesize.
Omega-3 fatty acids have a positive result in the secondary prevention of coronary artery disease. They are also essential for developing and functioning a man’s nervous system and retina.
These fatty acids are considered to have immunomodulatory properties because they act as a precursor to lipid mediators of inflammatory response.
Skin conditions like acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis are cured by consuming Omega-3 supplements. The supplement can be used for nail lubrication & moisturization and improvement of hair thickness. It can also benefit the health of the heart, brain, and other essential body parts & tissues.
Fatty fishes, such as salmon, mackerel, and trout, as well as shellfish like mussels, oysters, and crabs, are the dietary sources of fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA). The recommended dietary allowance of fish oil for adults 19 years and older is 1.6 g daily for men and 1.1 g for women. For pregnant & lactating women, the amount is 1.4 g and 1.3 g daily, respectively.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. It is majorly found in citrus fruits. They can be consumed daily.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant vital in controlling infection and healing wounds. It has multiple benefits on the skin, like skin hydration, fading on hyperpigmentation, collagen production stimulation, etc. Being a good antioxidant, it can neutralize harmful free radicals and prevent oxidative stress-related hair loss.
The recommended dietary allowance of vitamin C for adults of 19 years and older is 90 mg daily for men and 75 mg for women. For pregnant & lactating women, the amount increases to 85 mg and 120 mg daily, respectively. Smoking can deplete vitamin C levels in the body, so an additional 35 mg beyond the RDA is suggested for smokers.
Vitamin B7/ Vitamin H– Biotin
Biotin is vitamin B7 or H, which is soluble in fat. It is attached to proteins when consumed through foods. Enzymes like biotinidase help to remove biotin from digested proteins and peptides.
Biotin may help to control diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels in some people. It also helps manage neurological symptoms of diabetes like neuropathy (damage or dysfunction of a nerve).
Recently, biotin-based products have become renowned for curing hair health. Additionally, research shows that biotin can improve hair health, including shine, volume, and scalp coverage in women experiencing hair thinning. Biotin is also necessary for a healthy pregnancy. Studies show that common biotin deficiency in pregnant women can lead to health issues in developing babies.
An RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) does not exist for biotin because there is insufficient evidence to suggest a daily amount most healthy people need. Instead, there is an AI (Adequate Intake) level. The AI of biotin for men, women of 19 years & older, and pregnant women are 30 micrograms daily. Lactating women need a biotin supplementation of 35 micrograms daily.
Market Activities
The global women’s health and beauty supplements market size was valued around USD 60 billion in 2020 and is expected to attain USD 205 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4%. Various factors control the market trend for beauty supplements, like the rising prevalence of various nutritional deficiencies among women, increasing access to supplements, availability of multiple products, etc. COVID-19 has also boosted the awareness of physical, mental, and emotional health. It also increases the implementation of
self-care among consumers. Accessibility to dietary and beauty supplements is increasing due to the emergence of e-commerce. Many players are also making their presence in e-platform to gain a larger market share. Online platforms also flourish in developing countries such as India, China, and Brazil.
Companies & Leading Brands
Herbalife Nutrition
Herbalife Nutrition is an America-based global nutrition company. This 1980-founded company has made its products available exclusively through educated and trained independent Herbalife Nutrition distributors, who provide comprehensive and personalized solutions to their customers’ nutrition and wellness goals. The major products include Herbalife SKIN® collagen beauty booster, multivitamin complex, healthy meal, etc.
Garden of Life
Garden of Life, a subsidiary of Nestle, was founded in 2000. It develops products free from artificial colorings, sweeteners, binders, flavors, and fillers. Exemplary products of beauty supplements include collagen peptide, collagen hyaluronic acid, collagen super beauty, etc.
General Nutrition Centre (GNC)
GNC, General Nutrition Centre, or Guardian Healthcare, was established in 1934. It is a global specialty retailer of health and wellness products. Moreover, their product range includes protein, stamina, weight management, vitamins, and wellness supplements. The major products in beauty supplements are GNC women multivitamins 50 plus, GNC chewable vitamin C, Fish oil capsule, and CoQ-10, which claim to resolve skin issues like skin texture, aging signs, etc.
Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd.
Asahi Group Japan launched the Dear Natura brand in 2007, a series of dietary supplements made from simple ingredients that balance the diet and address specific needs, including maintaining young, lowering neutral fats, and supplying nutrients after exercise. Dear Natura currently has more than 70 products.
NeoCell
NeoCell®, abrand of NeoCell, established in 1998, is now a part of Clorox. They have a wide range of hair, nail, skin, and joint products.
Some best-selling products are Collagen + C Pomegranate Liquid, Super Collagen Peptides Powder, and Hair, Skin & Nails Beauty Builder Gummies.
Amway
Amway is the largest direct-selling company (reported USD 8.9 billion in sales in 2021). It manufactures and distributes nutritional, beauty, personal care, and home care products, exclusively sold in 100 countries through Amway Independent Business Owners. Under the brand name Nutrilite™, Amway introduces vitamin & dietary supplement products in different categories of supplements like health supplements, beauty supplements, etc.
In the year 1989, Otsuka acquired Pharmavite. It is a supplement company from America, founded in 1971 to find a better way to be healthy than relying on prescriptions. Its most recommended vitamin and supplement brand is Nature Made.
Conclusion
Consumers of age 30 or lower majorly drive the market for beauty supplements. The utmost demand for beauty and nutrition in a single approach has broadened the scope for nutri-cosmetics. So, this has become one of the prime factors for the manufacturers to develop a supplement that can provide beauty & well-being benefits and be sold at a beauty corner.
Functioning of the ingredients present in beauty supplements is quite similar to drugs. Therefore, the availability of these ingredients in a supplement form is challenging in different countries because of their safety regulations.
Companies are frequently developing new products as per the market’s needs as people are becoming more conscious of the effects of these products on their health. The development of the product is carried out to introduce the best delivery of the product, like liquid spray, gelatin-free capsule, etc. Also, oral consumption is one of the best routes of administration according to consumer compliance, and this is one of the main reasons for beauty supplements gaining attention among consumers. However, consuming these supplements in high amounts can cause severe malfunctioning and toxicity, so they should be used & taken wisely. This is becoming helpful for beauty and personal care companies to conduct their research on supplements along with topical products.
