As an esthetician, I am a huge advocate for treating the skin with nutrition. It’s become
increasingly evident in the past few years especially that the foundation of good skin, hair, and
nails starts from within. Many of us know that what we put in our bodies is important—we’re told
to drink water, eat healthy foods, and maintain adequate vitamin levels. However, it can be
confusing to wade through all the misinformation out there and figure out exactly what we
should be prioritizing. So, what nutrients should we actually be looking for and how exactly do
they help?
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid is one of the most widely available and well—known ingredients in skincare. A
type of humectant, Hyaluronic Acid is naturally found in many areas of the human body,
including the skin, eyes, and joints. Humectants retain and bind moisture by attracting water
from either the air or deeper within the skin, and in the case of hyaluronic acid, can bind over
one thousand times its weight in water. In essence, hyaluronic acid boosts hydration all around
to protect our hair, skin, and nails from dehydration.
CoQ10
I first discovered the benefits of CoQ10 several years ago in moisturizers where it can be added
to help to repair and hydrate the skin. Also known as Ubiquinol, CoQ10 prevents signs of aging
by defending against oxidative stress that causes DNA damage to cells. CoQ10 is also an
excellent supplement for healthy hair as it helps deliver oxygen to the scalp and facilitates the
production of keratin to encourage hair growth.
Horsetail extract
Horsetail extract comes from the stems and leaves of the horsetail plant and is rich in silica, a
mineral that aids in collagen production. This natural extract has been used for decades in hair
growth supplements—and for a good reason. It helps blood circulation which in turn helps
deliver all the other nutrients and vitamins that contribute to healthy hair. It also has antioxidant
properties and helps protect against oxidative stress from environmental stressors that lead to
cell damage.
Collagen
In addition to Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen is another well-known ingredient in skincare. A
naturally-occurring protein within the body, Collagen is a crucial building block of healthy skin
cells and a protein that’s responsible for plump, firm, and more even skin tone. In hair, it aids in
the production of keratin and strengthens the scalp.
Collagen is one of my favorite ingredients to take as a supplement as our bodies can synthesize
collagen most efficiently when taken orally as opposed to applied directly on the skin. While it
may make sense to apply it topically, collagen molecules themselves are too large to pass
through the skin’s natural barrier where it can help signs of aging, instead sitting on top of the
skin where it only helps to moisturize.
Why I like Sveté Wellness Beauty Fusion
The Sveté Wellness Beauty Fusion has all the essential vitamins and proteins I look for to
nourish myself from the inside. One serving has 11 skin-loving ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid,
CoQ10, Probiotics, Grapeseed extract, Horsetail extract, Biotin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin
D, Vitamin E, and Zinc, as well as five different types of collagen. While these are all proven
ingredients beneficial to hair, skin, and nails and I recommend them anytime I can to those
looking to get a head start on aging and want to repair or maintain healthy hair and nails.
Works Cited:
Choi FD, Sung CT, Juhasz ML, Mesinkovsk NA. Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic
Review of Dermatological Applications. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 Jan 1;18(1):9-16. PMID:
30681787