Our skin is the largest organ of the body, representing one sixth of the total body weight & its main role is to act as a chemical & physical barrier to protect the body against harmful external environmental agents such as pathogen, UV rays, chemical irritants, temperature fluctuations as well as dehydration.
One of the most common dermatological & cosmetic concern is skin ageing: a natural, complex process influenced by two mechanisms – intrinsic (genetic, chronological) resulting from the passage of time & extrinsic ageing (photoaging) as a result of environmental factors (including UV radiation, pollution & cigarette smoke). The two processes overlap & are closely linked to increased generation of free radicals & oxidative stress in skin. Both the intrinsic & extrinsic processes are associated with biochemical disturbances as well as changes in the physical, morphological & physiological properties of epidermis & dermis. Some of the manifestations of ageing skin include wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, changes in color, pigmentation, dryness & susceptibility to irritation. With age, the degradation of blood vessels leads to insufficient blood supply & thus inadequate oxygenation & nourishment of the skin.
It has been pointed out in many clinical papers that there is a direct relationship between a suitably balanced diet & the overall health of skin. The intake of essential nutrients is extremely important for the maintenance of skin health in younger & as well as ageing skin. The overall condition of the skin – its surface texture, color & physiological properties – results from factors such as hydration, sebum content & surface acidity. Research increasingly suggests that a well-balanced diet significantly affects the skin ageing process. Anti-ageing nutrients include substances involved in the synthesis & metabolism of skin components & those that inhibit the degradation of skin components & maintain its structural integrity.
The use of nutraceuticals to improve skin properties & slow down skin aging has been gaining traction amongst the healthcare professionals over the last few years & is likely to increase in the coming years. These include nutrients which have antimutagenic, antioxidant & free radical scavenging properties as well as those which restore hydration as well as sebum content in the skin. Other key nutrients exhibiting anti-ageing properties are vitamins & minerals with antioxidant properties. Also, nutraceuticals are generally regarded as safe therapeutic options when used within standard limits approved by the regulatory authorities.
However, conventionally it was always considered that there is no merit in supplementing nutrients through the oral route for management of ageing skin & the topical route is a preferred one. But a growing scientific data is now supporting a healthy, balanced diet & taking a more holistic approach to ‘nourishing the skin’ from within & hence oral supplements are actually an optimum way to compliment the topical skin care routine. As the life span increases, the trend to support healthy skin from inside out is growing. The ‘Beauty from within’ concept has more takers now than earlier & it’s only going to grow from here.
Although many of these nutritional supplements promise lots of different benefits, those that are supported by stronger scientific data deserve to be used. Research on ingredients with hydrating, collagen-forming & wrinkle-reducing capabilities is happening recently & thus it makes sense to choose nutrients that have been backed by clinical trials. Some of the key nutrients that have good clinical data to support efficacy claims include,
- Collagen peptides
- Hyaluronic acid
- Glutathione
- Vitamins like E, C & some B vitamins
- Carotenoids
- Polyphenols
While some nutritional supplements aim to prevent the effects of aging before it happens, others seek to undo the existing damage. Both approaches are at the center of new research, highlighting a range of benefits from nutritional supplements. Consumers with existing damage though tend to turn to supplements that can undo these effects or at least slow them down, like uneven skin tone & hyperpigmentation to wrinkles. That’s where much of the new research is focused upon – to turn back the clock on ageing by complimenting the topical skin care with ‘Beauty from within’ regimen.
