Nutricosmetics is the combination of nutrition and cosmetics, the result of advances in recent years in the field of beauty; understood not only in its most external aspect, but as a whole where our inner health is reflected on the outside.
This form of cosmetics is based on the ingestion of food supplements, known as nutricosmetics, which are ingestible and act from the inside of the body to improve our external appearance.
Let’s take a closer look at this not-so-well-known term
Situated halfway between medical science, nutrition and the cosmetics industry, nutricosmetics form a set of supplements that, when ingested, produce a series of improvements in our external appearance.
Nutricosmetics is the combination of food and personal care.
The main difference between nutricosmetic and cosmetic products is that while the former are ingested, the latter are intended exclusively for application to the external parts of the body.
The ingestible cosmetic has multiple benefits for the skin and hair, among which the following stand out:
- It stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, the proteins that give support and elasticity to the skin.
- It acts as a preventive or minimizer of wrinkles, slows flaccidity and increases skin density.
- Protects skin and hair from damage caused by free radicals, which are molecules that accelerate cellular ageing.
- Moisturizes and nourishes the skin, nails and hair from within, preventing dryness, flaking and frizz.
- Promotes tanning and prevents sunburn, thanks to carotenoids that act as natural pigments and sunscreens.
- It strengthens hair and prevents hair loss, providing luminosity, softness, smoothness and vitality.
They combine vitamins, minerals and elements full of antioxidant and repairing properties
Vitamins
Vitamins play a vital role in our outward appearance. That is why they are often the main element of these types of beauty supplements.
The star vitamin in nutricosmetics is undoubtedly vitamin C or ascorbic acid. This well-known vitamin has a great antioxidant power that makes it almost an essential ingredient in any beauty supplement.
Vitamin A or retinol in its different formulations (retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate or retinol) has a place of honor in supplementation for skin, hair and nails. You will also find carotenoids, precursors of vitamin A. The most commonly used are beta-carotene and lycopene.
Vitamin E, especially in its most active form, alpha-tocopherol, forms the so-called antioxidant triad together with the other two. You will find all three together in many formulations, as they are mutually reinforcing.
Antioxidant elements
Resveratrol, although not a vitamin, is another must-have element in any antioxidant nutricosmetic.
Biotin, or vitamin B7, often appears together with zinc and selenium in ingestible formulations for hair, skin and nails.
Minerals
Minerals are also often formulated in synergies that enhance them. The most commonly used in nutricosmetics are zinc, selenium and copper because of their high antioxidant efficacy and strengthening effect.
Silica, an essential mineral for connective tissue, is indispensable for supplements for skin, hair and nails. It has a strong skin firming and strengthening effect on hair and nails.
Two other ubiquitous ingredients in beauty supplements are hyaluronic acid and collagen. Both are part of our bodies, but we lose them with age.
Therefore, they are two of the ingredients that cannot be missing in anti-ageing nutricosmetics. The first one ensures hydration and density in the tissues, while collagen is the main responsible for the firmness and elasticity of the skin and connective tissue.
From Lanier Pharma, in our daily objective to achieve the well-being of people, we recommend you always seek the advice of a specialist in the field to choose the right product for your state of health and needs.
