The Ingredients That Should Be In Your Skincare And Supplement Routine

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘beauty from the inside out’ — and, as it relates to your skincare and wellness routines, that means paying as much attention to what you are putting in your body as to what you are putting on it. “You can’t expect to get great, long-term results from something topical or a doctor if you don’t subscribe to an overall healthy lifestyle,” says Marc Ronert, MD, a European board certified plastic and aesthetic surgeon and co-founder of Hush & Hush. “Eating clean, reducing stress, and getting quality sleep are all important factors in prolonging aging and maintaining your results. I truly believe that a 360-degree approach is instrumental.”

Perhaps you’ve curated the perfect products for your skin type, but did you know that a lot of the ingredients you are applying to your face (think: vitamin A, antioxidants, collagen) are equally beneficial when incorporated into your diet? While many of these nutrients are common components of a healthy eating plan, sometimes you need a bit of extra help. Enter vitamins and supplements.

These nutritious add-ons can improve the quality of the skin from the inside out and complement any at-home or in-office treatments you are already doing. We’re breaking down exactly what to look for in your vitamins and supplements in order to enhance your skincare and beauty routine.

Topical vs. Ingestible Skincare

Hearing the word ‘skincare’ probably has you imagining a vanity full of topical lotions and potions, but it’s high time you start thinking about what you put into your body as skincare, too. In fact, that change in mindset is what led Dr. Marc to develop a supplement brand. He and his wife, Janna, co-founded Image Skincare in 2003 with the goal of creating clinical skincare products with evidence-based ingredients, and, in the years since, he’s learned the holistic value of those tried-and-true actives. “Years of formulating topical products led me to the realization that not only are topical ingredients influencing our skin but everything we do, and everything we consume has an effect, too,” he explains. “Topical products are great and necessary for skin health, but there’s more to healthy aging than just skincare.”

When it came to deciding what ingredients needed to be included in Hush & Hush supplements, there was no need to look much further than the beauty aisle. “Many ingredients that we use for skincare preparations are not only beneficial for our skin from the outside but from the inside as well,” Dr. Marc says. “Several ingredients found in topical skincare are food-derived, which makes sense because plants, herbs, and foods were (and still are) the first beauty and medical applications known to man.”

Just as we’ve grown accustomed to taking a multipronged approach to our overall wellness, our skin health would benefit from a more integrated strategy. “The way an ingredient acts on the surface of the skin versus how it works when ingested is different,” he notes. “A lot of times, specific actives need to be applied and ingested to reap the maximum benefits.”

The Best Ingredients for Healthy Skin

Now that we better understand the basics of ingestible skincare, it’s time to dive into the nitty gritty of the benefits. Like the active ingredients in topical products, the ingredients in supplements can be used to address specific skin concerns. Below are the best treatment protocols for six common complexion and beauty issues:

1. For Fine Lines & Wrinkles

• Collagen
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Vitamin A

Yes, that’s the same collagen, hyaluronic acid (HA), and vitamin A found in your favorite creams and serums. We hate to break it to you, but collagen production starts slowing down at age 25, which means anything you can do to supplement and stimulate the process can go a long way toward smoother (read: less wrinkled) skin. Hush & Hush TimeCapsule features marine collagen and vitamin C to promote healthy skin growth, while vitamin A, adaptogens, and omegas 3,6 and 9 reduce visible signs of aging. To keep skin looking plump and, by extension, youthful, HA hydrates from within.

2. For Dry Skin

• Hyaluronic Acid
• Aloe Vera
• Vitamin C

“Treating dry skin also alleviates fine lines and wrinkles,” Dr. Marc says. And, in addition to drinking the recommended amount of water each day and applying moisturizing topicals, supplements rich in hydrating ingredients can also nourish the skin. The Hush & Hush SkinCapsule Hydrate+ includes vegan hyaluronic acid to plump, coconut water extract and Korean red ginseng to moisturize, and aloe vera to lock water into the skin. In turn, the water retention “diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” he notes. Vitamin C, meanwhile, protects against free radical damage and promotes overall skin health.

3. For Acne-Prone Skin

• Vitamin A
• Zinc
• Echinacea Purpurea

Your topical acne-fighting skincare routine likely contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients, and your breakout-banishing supplement regimen should be no different. Just like in prescription and OTC products, oral vitamin A is a clarifying force. In the Hush & Hush SkinCapsule Clear+, it’s paired with zinc to regulate oil production, echinacea purpurea to reduce bacteria, and artichoke leaf to calm inflammation.

4. For Uneven Tone & Texture

• Antioxidants
• Zinc
• Botanical Extracts

When you're looking to improve skin tone and texture concerns topically, you likely reach for brightening actives, like antioxidants, to even the complexion. It’s no different with ingestibles. The Hush & Hush SkinCapsule Brighten+ features a robust antioxidant blend of vitamin C, green tea, and fruit and botanical extracts (pomegranate, Indian gooseberry, lycopene, pine bark, etc.) and zinc to both treat current damage and protect against it in the future.

5. For Thinning Hair

• Niacin (vitamin B3)
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Antioxidants

If the pandemic has your ponytail or hairline thinner than it once was, you may be looking for a way to supplement whatever topical hair care and in-office hair restoration treatments you’re trying. While you’re likely aware of purported growth benefits of biotin and saw palmetto, their effects can be enhanced by ingredients such as vitamin B3 (i.e. niacinamide), hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants — like the ones found in Hush & Hush Deeply Rooted.

6. For Post-Procedure Skin

In the lead up to any aesthetic procedure (surgical and non-surgical), be sure to tell your provider about all the vitamins and supplements you take in order to ensure they won’t interfere with treatment or recovery. For example, certain medications (think: aspirin and ibuprofen) and supplements (i.e. vitamin E, fish oil) can increase the chance of bleeding, which can lead to bruising.

With that said, certain ingestibles (like arnica and pineapple) can actually improve the healing process. Dr. Marc says the key is to find the right “blend of essential vitamins and minerals to keep inflammation down and reduce the irritation that can occur post-procedure.” Be sure to consult with your dermatologist or plastic surgeon before adding any oral or topical remedies to your post-op routine.

How to Start a Supplement Routine

Intrigued by the positive effects supplements can have on the skin but unsure of where to start? “Like skincare, supplements work the best in a daily regimen that has a morning and evening protocol,” Dr. Marc says. Hush & Hush, for example, is structured with A.M. and P.M. routines in mind, but simply understanding what ingredients work best to support your skin and overall health at different points in the day should be enough to improve compliance and ensure you reap the optimal benefits.

Just as when introducing a new product or treatment into your routine, it’s important to consult with your provider before trying any vitamins and supplements to ensure they are safe and effective for your needs.

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