Best Supplements for Healthy Skin
We’re deep into summer and these long days in the sun and hot temps can be hard on your skin, likely leaving your largest organ wanting for a little extra TLC. Lucky for you, we’ve got some supps that can help keep your skin glowing all summer by keeping it hydrated, reducing sun damage or keeping wrinkles at bay.
Here are our top 5 picks to incorporate into your routine that will help keep your skin glowing all summer long.
The Line Up:
#1: Electrolytes
Staying hydrated is key to keeping your skin healthy but excessive sweating – either from taking your workouts outside or just simply surviving the hot muggy days that are summer – leaves us dehydrated and in need of replenishment. While good old H20 is essential, electrolytes are minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and chloride[1]) that help the body regulate flow of nutrients, water and waste into and out of all cells and support further and more efficient rehydration[2].
Try It: Look for electrolyte boosted waters or electrolyte powders you can easily add to your own water bottle daily.
#2: Collagen
Who doesn’t want young, radiant, wrinkle-free skin? While ageing is inevitable, we can help our skin look younger for longer with supplemental collagen. Collagen, the main structural protein found in our skin and connective tissues, is naturally found in our body; however, our production starts to decline with age. The good news is a once-daily supp of collagen peptides can help keep the skin more elastic, soft, supple, and smooth[3][4].
Try It: Look for either Collagen Peptide powders to add into your morning coffee, smoothies, oats or more (yes they dissolve and are tasteless!) or a protein powder that has added collagen.
#3: Vitamin C
Playing alongside collagen is Vitamin C. Vitamin C stimulates collagen synthesis in the body and boosts antioxidant protection from the sun. And, nutritional studies show that a boost of vitamin C from foods or a supp improves skin elasticity, reduces wrinkles and promotes smoothness.
Try It: A number of antioxidant powders on the shelf today offer a high boost of vitamin C. Pick up some single stick packs to throw into your bag and add to a water whenever you’re on the go. Or, choose to get a boost of the vitamin in a daily gummy or tablet format.
#4: Greens Powder
Have you heard of free radicals? These are compounds that enter our body and can cause a number of health issues including premature cell (and skin) ageing [5]. Luckily, we know that antioxidants (from vitamins A, C and E) are molecules in your body that are able to bind to free radicals and remove them from your body. You can give your body a boost of antioxidants through fruits & veg, however, supps like greens powders will give you a more concentrated boost in a single serving.
Try It: We like a Greens Powder for being a convenient and easily absorbable way to pack in a high dose of vitamins and antioxidants, not only giving your body a general nutrition boost and giving you more energy but also supporting skin health.
#5: Fish oil
Fish oil contains 2 different types of omega 3 Fatty Acids – DHA & EPA – and it’s EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) that we can thank for its skin-boosting properties. EPA has been shown to increase collagen production and elastic fibres, acting as an anti-ageing agent[6].
Also, if you suffer from acne, fish oil has been shown to help.[7]
Try It: Pick up a capsule format of EPA that you can easily take once daily.
We would love to hear how you proactively support your skin in these warm months (and year round!) Leave us a message here or hit us up on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. And, if you’ve got more questions on products mentioned in this post (or anything else) come talk to us in store. We are #ReflexNation.
References
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0024505/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4529263/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23949208
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26362110
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3749699/
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16467281
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3543297/
