If your skincare routine were a closet, it would probably be bursting with every formula imaginable: tinctures, balms, powders, gels…you name it! But in a world where we’re all about getting those coveted ingredients deep into our skin for that enviable glow, a new trend is making waves: ingestible skincare. Picture supplements packed with all-star ingredients like hyaluronic acid, collagen, and vitamin C, are typically the heroes of our topical formulas. But the million-dollar question is: can popping these beauty boosters actually trump your trusty creams and serums? Or, is teaming topicals with ingestibles the ultimate skincare power play?
To clear the air, we dialed up the experts. First up is Jenn Randazzo, MS, RD, CLT, from Vital Proteins, a major player advocating the beauty-from-within mantra. Then there’s Dr. Ranella Hirsch, a skincare myth-busting, board-certified dermatologist who’s all about that evidence-based life.
So, let’s break it down, shall we?
Topicals: More Than Skin-Deep?
Topical skincare is like your skin’s personal chauffeur, according to Hirsch. These products drive those potent ingredients straight to your skin. Think of serums as nifty sports cars – they’re smaller, faster, and can maneuver directly into those skin layers with ease compared to, say, the bulky SUVs that are creams and moisturizers.
But effectiveness? That’s a whole other story. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation; a neck cream won’t work wonders on your eyelids. And if your skin barrier is like the VIP section’s best bouncer, only the right ingredients with VIP passes get through. Compromised skin, though, might let more crashers slip past, upping your product’s potency.
Ingestible: A Deep Dive Into Beauty
Ingestible supplements flip the script, aiming for beauty from the inside out. They’re designed to work their magic at the cellular level since they enter your bloodstream. Randazzo drops the 411 on collagen, a hot-ticket item in ingestibles. These peptides are pre-digested (yep, you read that right), so your body effortlessly soaks them up. Imagine over 90% of collagen peptides hitting your bloodstream within an hour – efficient much?
But here’s the kicker: if your meals are already rainbow-hued and nutrient-rich, extra supplements might just be overkill. Your skin, like your body, can’t thrive on supplements alone. Balance is key, darling!
Double Trouble: Pairing Topicals & Ingestibles
Is one method the skincare champion? The jury’s still out since we need more research and solid proof. But pairing them? Now, that’s a strategy with some sparkle. Combining ingestible with your topical routine could be like pairing diamonds with the perfect little black dress – they enhance each other.
Consistency remains queen, though. Stick to your regimen, and remember: before you jump on the ingestible bandwagon or mix up your skincare cocktail, a chat with your dermatologist or physician is a must. After all, in the kingdom of skincare, knowledge is power, and health is always haute couture!
