I tried skin supplements as a last resort for my stubborn, problematic skin
For the past year or so, my skin has been a mess. So much, that it’s rare for it to be completely free from blemishes. As soon as one breakout goes away, another appears, and the never-ending battle for clear skin continues. The simple solution to my skin care woes would be to head to my dermatologist. However, I’m one of those people who prefers to try every at-home remedy possible before bringing in the professionals.
One of the biggest trends in beauty at the moment is skin care supplements, which have come a long way from the old-fashioned hair, skin, and nails vitamins of days past.
Whether in tablet or powder form, beauty supplements are on the rise, piquing interest from clear-complexion seekers. Your skin is the largest organ in your body, so it makes complete sense that it needs specific nutrients to thrive. Still, I can’t help but question whether beauty supplements work or are just another marketing ploy. With my skin them as a last resort before seeing a derm.
My two most significant concerns with my skin are the acne and the dark spots left behind after a breakout.
When I spoke with dermatologist and pigmentary disorders specialist Valerie Harvey, she said that when you’re trying to correct hyperpigmentation, you need to tackle the root cause. Again, in my case, it’s uncontrollable breakouts.
On a given day, my skin usually has at least two active breakouts. Having breakouts here and there doesn’t bother me. Not having a pimple-free day does. I pray that working on my skin from the inside out will finally do the trick.
One of the best things about the current skin supplement trend is the variety.
Most supplements for skin are one-size-fits-all. For that reason, I decided to try the new line of beauty supplements from Nature’s Bounty. The line includes seven varieties, each targeting a specific issue from acne to tooth and gum health: ClearComplexion, GoodnightLovely, GlowOn, SkinElasticity, MoistureTreat, HappySmile, and EvenBeauty. Nature’s Bounty sent me two sets of supplements to try for a month—ClearComplexion and GoodnightLovely.
First impressions
I admit I’ve tried skin care supplements in the past but never kept up with them. The larger the pill, the less likely I’m going take them consistently. Thankfully, these supplements are pretty small (a bit larger than a Tic Tac), which makes taking them a breeze. I also like that they’re brightly colored. There’s something about pretty vitamins that makes taking them an all-around pleasant experience.
I also noticed that each supplement only contains two active ingredients. The ClearComplexion supplements, which I take in the morning, feature zinc (great for acne and scarring) and manganese (which aids collagen production). At night, I switch over to the GoodnightLovely supplements, a blend of hyaluronic acid (for hydration) and melatonin (for better sleep).
How they worked after a month:
Trying skin supplements may have been the best skin choice I’ve made in a while. It did take some time for me to see results (about 2.5 weeks ), but in the end, I’m delighted.
Aside from hormonal breakouts during my period, my acne has lessened significantly. I'm officially one step closer to glowing skin.
Though spring has technically sprung, NYC’s weather is constantly changing. Usually, when the weather ping-pongs between cold and hot days, my skin suffers. However, I can honestly say my skin has felt balanced overall, and I haven’t had to switch up my routine to combat the weather. I’m interested to see if my skin will keep this momentum when I head out to Los Angeles.
Final thoughts
I made the best choice for my skin with the ClearComplexion supplements to target my breakouts and the GoodnightLovely to balance my skin that can be problematic with the change in weather. I’ll definitely continue using Nature’s Bounty beauty Gels. (I may add in the EvenBeauty supplements into my rotation.)
When choosing skin care supplements, I'd recommend focusing on the root cause of the skin issue you're trying to solve.
If you’re interested in trying out these beauty supplements for yourself, they’re available at Ulta for $19.99, and yes, they’re worth the investment.
