It may have taken several years for nutritional supplements to enter the beauty industry, but the skin care game has changed dramatically, and trying new topicals is no longer the priority. But what exactly is nutricosmetics? As the experts explain, the term is derived from “nutrition” and “cosmetic” and is based on the concept of absorbing active ingredients, minerals and nutrients orally rather than topically, in order to improve nutrition. of the skin in detail.

With the ingestion of nutrients or active ingredients being a new addition to the beauty routine, the global nutricosmetics market has experienced massive growth in recent years. “Nutricosmetics improve the external appearance of the skin by working from the inside out. They also boost immunity, slow aging among a host of other benefits, allowing for a healthy and active lifestyle, ”says Mansi Vyas, founder of Azafran Organics, a new organic beauty brand, from health, wellness and lifestyle.

Dr. Harshna Bijlani, Medical Chief of AgeLess Clinic and Celebrity Skin Expert, explains, “Nutricosmetics are the supplements we take to help our skin from the inside out. It is essential to provide your body with the necessary vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants, collagen, proteins, etc. to have healthy and beautiful skin on the outside.

“Today more than ever, the emphasis is on acquiring healthy skin. The world is completely changing. Therefore, nutricosmetics are very important right now, ”adds Dr Rashmi Shetty, renowned dermatologist and founder of Ra Skin and Aesthetics in Mumbai and Reva Health & Skin Hyderabad.

So, do these tablets really work? Bijlani explains that taking these supplements is not only for the skin, but they are also good for the body. “Having said that, I don’t recommend self-diagnosis. See your doctor, do your blood work, and then take any supplements your body really needs. Some vitamins are water soluble so this is not a problem, but if you take supplements that are not water soluble you could cause a buildup in your system, and excess of anything is not good, ”she said.

Doctors explain that everything in your body is reflected on your skin. Most consumers say they get high amounts of nutrients from their food, but there are some shortcomings that cannot be filled by the food they eat alone. “Even if you put it on the perfect plate, you may not absorb it properly,” says Dr. Shetty.

There are various studies that support the consumption of nutricosmetics like vitamin C, A, E, B3 (niacinamide), H (biotin), zinc, etc. Now, there are studies to prove the effectiveness of oral collagen when it comes to anti-aging properties. As a result, awareness has grown and the demand for these nutricosmetics has increased. “Supplements like hyaluronic acid, marine collagen, vitamin C, etc., are safe to use for most people, so if you want to start using them you can talk to your doctor or start using them. slowly incorporate it into your daily routine. ”says Dr. Bijlani

The future of nutricosmetics is bright, thanks to the promotion and notoriety created by brands around the world. Dr Shetty explains, “Some supplements like collagen and hyaluronic acid tablets bring moisture back to the skin. When the skin is dehydrated, essential fatty acids and amino acids are essential for retaining water in the skin. Nutricosmetics is science-based and it’s here to stay.

Men and women have different needs, the recommended food allowance, or RDA for men and women, tends to be different depending on gender, age, and lifestyle, among others. So it is advisable to understand what your needs are and then to create a nutricosmetics routine around it. Men generally need a higher dose than women and need to consume higher amounts of minerals, antioxidants, vitamins, and protein, while women require higher amounts of iron due to their menstrual cycles and during times like pregnancy and breastfeeding their needs would vary more. Supplements and nutricosmetics for men and women are formulated differently, taking these needs into account. “In summary, while some antioxidants may be common to men and women, some other ingredients are often different. Therefore, I would recommend doing your homework before starting any new supplements, ”says Dr. Bijlani, when asked about men’s approach to these supplements.

AyurVridhi Founder and CEO Jaivardhan Agarwal says men are actually a ripe target for the nutricosmetics industry as they are more inclined to take skin, hair and nail care supplements instead of applying products for the same. “Since the start of the pandemic, people have also understood the need for supplements in their daily diet. The future of supplements is Ayurveda, with a blend of modern technologies infused with vitamins, ”he adds.

Vishal Shethi from Mumbai explains that he has taken beauty supplements such as Biotin Cherry and Salmon Omega-3. He says, “I looked for ways to improve my overall health. This is where I learned about these nutritional supplements, and have been using them for three years. I had a lot of hair loss which was reduced a lot thanks to these supplements.

The nutricosmetic routine is easily instilled into everyday life with little effort, and it’s worth it, too. This is now the reality – cosmetics are no longer applied to the skin, they can also be consumed