Inner beauty: supplements key to daily glow

If beauty really comes from within, then including supplements in your everyday regimen should help to achieve that Holy Grail of clear, glowing skin.

"Beauty supplements work on an 'inside-out' concept," says Harriet Lee, vice-president of Joyce Beauty. "They help balance the body's metabolism for better nutrient absorption, leveraging the efficiency of topical products."

Today, you'll find beauty supplements in a myriad of forms, including powder, capsules and liquid doses, but all are formulated to improve the condition of the skin. A favourite Joyce brand is Perricone MD, from US-based dermatologist and nutritionist Nicholas Perricone.

"In the morning, try the Skin Clear Supplement, which helps support clear skin, improving its clarity, tone and texture," Lee says. "During meals, mix the Super Berry with Acai dietary powder with water, and it provides antioxidant protection, boosting the skin with instant energy."

Several brands market similar products designed to tackle any and every skin concern. Beauty therapist Ceri Silk of Glow with Ceri Silk recommends Skeyndor's newly launched Ssupplements, which contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants to strengthen the immune system, prevent free-radical damage and stimulate collagen production. The eight formulas are targeted to problems such as ageing, pigmentation, blemishes and sensitivity.

Other brands promote supplements as a vital step in any daily skincare regimen, regardless of specific concerns. Osiao's Inner Radiance Beauty Tablets follow the company's East-meets-West approach with a blend of Chinese herbs and Western ingredients to restore moisture balance, improve skin tone and reduce redness. Each individual "skin constitution" is prescribed its own supplement.

French skincare brand Visoanska even packages its supplements together with its day and night creams to promote a holistic approach to anti-ageing skincare. The nutritional blends are said to reinforce the creams' actions by nourishing the skin from within. Keep in mind that most supplements can take up to three months of continuous use before producing visible results.