Are supplements the secret to a healthy complexion?
In the quest for better skin, the prize is an elusive one. I do know that a good-quality serum will deliver targeted results, especially one with vitamin C or retinol. Yet no amount of face cream will save a puffy, lacklustre complexion from chronic stress or a poor diet. Burn the candle at both ends for long enough and your skin will end up footing the bill. A balanced diet, consistent sleep and good gut health all add up to a luminous glow, but most of us arent devout a lot of the time. Enter nutritional supplements, sales of which are booming as we look to fill in the gaps in our diets and improve not only our immunity, but our mental clarity and, more recently, our skin. Nutritionists tell me that, as a general guide, everyone can benefit from vitamin D3, a multivitamin and an omega-3 supplement. But things have become a lot more targeted of late, as a host of new supplement brands have set their sights on your complexion, promising to hydrate, address dullness and even tackle hyperpigmentation. This makes perfect sense to me as hydration, in particular, comes from within, as does collagen and even hyaluronic acid, which both decrease with age as our cells become less active. Piling on skincare helps to smooth the surface, but a well-maintained engine is the secret to longevity. One of the most interesting new supplements Ive come across is Pellamex, an ingestible gel sachet of nutrients created for people with dry, sensitive, eczema-prone skin. Clinically tested and developed by skin biologists, Pellamex harnesses a high-purity amino acid and l-histidine to increase production of filaggrin, a protein found in the top layer of the skin that helps to lock in moisture and keep pollutants out, thus increasing the skins natural moisture barrier and reducing inflammation. Meanwhile, following on from its sell-out Acne Cleanse supplements, Australian brand Kallistia has brought out Hyperpigmentation Cleanse, designed to be taken morning and night. It has been created with vitamin A, a type of ingestible retinoid, for cell turnover; vitamin C to lighten dark spots; D3 for skin health; and licorice-root extract to defend against discoloration, helping to even out skin tone. Im in. For healthy skin overall, Indi Body is a vegan powder blend of antioxidant-rich foods, prebiotic fibre and digestive bio-cultures. Dietary fibre has been shown in studies to reduce cellular ageing by lengthening telomeres, the protective caps at the end of our DNA molecules, preventing them from fraying  aka ageing. It also helps with the absorption of the essential antioxidants you need for strong hair, nails and skin. I mix a scoop into my breakfast smoothie or water bottle each morning. Ive also been trying The Nue Cos Skin Hydrator, made with phyto-ceramides that prevent water loss, as well as hyaluronic acid and, our current obsession, collagen. My skin has become noticeably dewier since I began incorporating targeted skin supplements into my daily routine, but only time will tell whether Im actually ageing less rapidly. Whatever supplement you take, give it a full 30 days to do its magic before you bail. Heres my round-up of skin-friendly options: