Radiant skin always starts from within. A balanced diet with plenty of healthy fats, proteins, and fruits and vegetables is always your best bet when it comes to feeding your body and your skin. But if you feel you may be missing out on important nutrients, supplementing with vitamins and minerals can help. It’s always advisable that you visit a doctor and review your blood work for missing nutrients before being a supplementation program, because adding more vitamin D or C to your diet when you already have those nutrients in abundance is counterintuitive.
Once you are cleared to take a supplement and are curious about which will provide the best skincare benefits, turn your attention to these five powerful vitamins and minerals that older women should start taking for more youthful and radiant skin.
Multivitamin
According to Doctor Youn, it’s a good idea to start with a multivitamin that contains vitamins A, C, D, and zinc. Not only are these vitamins that are important for your body to function, but vitamin C is a crucial one for collagen production. A quality multivitamin (which may not be a sugary gummy, by the way) covers the bases for most of your nutrient needs, just in case your diet isn’t providing everything you require.
Antioxidants
A supplement that contains antioxidants like resveratrol and curcumin fight free radicals and are on the “cutting edge” in anti-aging medicine, according to Dr. Youn. The skin benefits of resveratrol include helping your skin defend itself from outside damaging elements and repairing damaged skin, while curcumin was found in one study to provide therapeutic benefits to skin health, including conditions like psoriasis and facial redness.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid
Omega-3 fatty acid, whether fish oil or vegan-based alternatives, are anti-inflammatory and can help reduce inflammation in the skin that can lead to conditions like acne or redness. They can also help soothe and moisturizer your skin from the inside out. This supplement is great for your overall health, as well, and may help lower your risk of heart disease and arthritis.
Probiotic
Probiotics contain billions of beneficial bacteria for your gut — this is important because there is a correlation between the health of your gut and the health of your skin. Dr. Youn recommends taking a probiotic with at least 5 billion CFU (which stands for colony-forming units) for maximum impact.
Hydrolyzed Collagen
If you are not vegan, Dr. Youn recommends taking a hydrolyzed collagen supplement. Despite some of the skepticism about collagen and how the body may not be able to effectively digest it, Dr. Youn points to a 2020 study performed on over 1200 participants that found taking collagen may help with skin hydration and elasticity.
Supplements can’t work miracles. But when thoughtfully taken in combination with a good diet, plenty of sleep, and quality skincare products, they can really help you achieve a radiant glow and healthier skin.
