Liposomal Formulations for Supplementing Beauty

We are not one to encourage external beauty over what’s inside of you. Some of you may be on the lookout for beauty supplements though. This blog post is to help you find food supplements that make you beautiful on the outside, from the inside.

Months of staying indoors coupled with the drying effects of household heating can probably affect one’s skin, hair and nails. Some of these adverse effects on your external health may also be due to nutrient imbalances. In this post, we outline what food supplements you can take in order to boost the health of your appearance.

Some Top Beauty Supplements

As with all parts of our body, our skin, hair and nails require regular nourishment. This nourishment can come from your diet but most often requires supplementation with the following nutrients:

Vitamin C

There are high levels of Vitamin C in the outer layers of your skin, the epidermis and dermis [1]. Factors like ageing, exposure to UV light and pollutants can however, lead to a decline of this vitamin C content [1,2].

As a potential antioxidant, vitamin C is not only great to boost your immune system. It also has a host of benefits for your skin. An adequate intake of vitamin C, for example, can remediate skin lesions caused by vitamin C deficiency [4]. Another way that vitamin C can help in the normal function of the skin and teeth is by aiding in the synthesis of collagen [5]. Finally, the hydroxylation of collagen by vitamin C is necessary for its stability and support of the epidermis [6].

Liposomal Vitamin C

It is well proven that the oral supplementation of vitamin C can help boost its levels in skin [3].

Comparative oral bioavailability studies that we have conducted with our liposomal vitamin C and other liposomal and non-liposomal forms have proven that PlantaCorp’s vitamin C formulation is maximally effective.

Interested? Read our blog post on our vitamin C bioavailability study.

Vitamin D

Cells in the epidermis of the skin, called keratinocytes, locally convert vitamin D to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. This regulates epidermal proliferation and differentiation; activities that are essential for normal cell growth, wound healing and maintaining the barrier function of skin [7]. In the hair, the vitamin D receptors (VDRs) are important in regulating the growth cycle of mature hair follicles [8].

When and How to Take Vitamin D3

Although our skin is capable of synthesizing vitamin D3, changes in seasonal sun-exposure and diet can affect this process [9]. Vitamin D3 supplementation is therefore especially relevant in winter.

We recommend liposomal vitamin D3 formulations since the vitamin’s absorption increases in the presence of fats [10]. Studies that we conducted proved that PlantaCorp’s vitamin D3 product was 13-times more bioavailable than a non-liposomal formulation.

More about liposomes? Read here

Zinc

Did you know that 6% of the body’s total zinc content is in our skin? [11]. In the skin, zinc contributes to normal protein synthesis and is involved in the metabolism of vitamin A [12]. Zinc is also essential for the maintenance of normal hair and nails [12]. In all these tissue, zinc works by stabilizing the cell membranes, serving as an essential cofactor for several enzymes, and participating in basal cell mitosis and differentiation [13].

How to Spot Zinc a Deficiency

Watch out for symptoms such as pigmentation changes, decreased hair and nail growth, skin lesions on sites exposed to repeated pressure and friction, erosive dermatitis, diarrhea and alopecia as possible signs of a mild to severe zinc deficiency [14]. Please report these immediately to your local physician and consult them before consuming a zinc supplement.

We have a well-researched, well-tested, ready-to-go liquid liposomal zinc formulation in our portfolio. Contact us to get the conversation started!

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring cellular product that the body can synthesize. Especially in the skin, it has been shown to reduce photoaging and contribute to the regeneration of vitamin E. This is possible due to its role as an antioxidant and in its support of several metabolic pathways [15].

How To Get The Most From Coenzyme Q10

Plasma coenzyme Q10 levels typically decline with age and pathological conditions such as diabetes mellitus and cancer [15]. However, due to its high molecular weight and low water-solubility, supplementation of coenzyme Q10 has hitherto been hindered.

To increase the bioavailability and thus efficacy of coenzyme Q10, we and scientists highly recommend the use of liposomal coenzyme Q10 supplements [16,17]. Since studies show oral supplementation with coenzyme Q10 increases blood and lipoprotein concentrations in humans [15], we further recommend our liquid liposomal coenzyme Q10 products.

You can read more about this peptide product in our dedicated blog post.

Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is a reddish-orange pigment produced by several microalgae, bacteria, yeasts and some plants [18]. The oral consumption of astaxanthin-containing supplements is likely to have positive effects on the skin [18]. The effects include the rejuvenation of facial skin and protection against UV-induced photoaging. As a result, improvements in fine lines/wrinkles, skin elasticity, moisture, age spot size and texture, can be expected.

Why Liposomal Astaxanthin

Astaxanthins are highly unstable in the presence of high temperatures, acidic pH, oxygen or light [19]. They also suffer from very low bioaccessibility and bioavailability. This is because of their low water solubility and inactivation after oral administration.

Further, in their natural state, astaxanthins possess an undesirable odour and flavour [19].

The liposomal encapsulation of astaxanthin can, therefore:

lead to a retarded release
protect it from degradation in the gastrointestinal tract
improve its bioaccessibility, bioavailability and bioactivity; and
make it more pleasant for oral consumption

You can read our LinkedIn article on astaxanthin to learn about this natural pigment’s other health benefits.

Collagen

Collagens are one of the most abundant proteins in mammals (~30% of total protein mass) [20]. Orally ingested collagen is well absorbed into the body in the form of amino acids, dipeptides and tripeptides [21].

Collagen for Healthy Skin

Did you know that after the age of 20, our skin produces about 1% less each year?

Scientific studies have shown that oral collagen supplementation results in a statistically significant increase in skin hydration as compared to placebo [21]. A decrease in water loss from the skin is also seen. Finally, orally administered collagen is also seen to be involved in the maintenance of the internal structure of the skin and the repair of its barrier functions.

Our Business Development officers will be happy to provide you with more information on our liquid liposomal fully vegan collagen product.

Book a meeting!

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a chemical naturally present in grapes, blueberries and peanuts [22]. It is one of the most-researched phytochemicals.

Pre-clinical research has proven its health benefits to include direct anti-oxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects and a reduction of oxidative stress [22].

Beauty Applications of Resveratrol

A majority of scientific research on resveratrol has, of course, focused on the benefits of resveratrol-containing creams or supplements on the skin. Resveratrol is able to counter photoaging and reduce the severity of inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis [23]. It may also be able to reduce hyperpigmentation of the skin and have a skin brightening effect.

Resveratrol is also being studied for its other beauty applications such as its effect on hair growth. One study, for example, showed that it can help induce the growth of hair follicle stem cells, thus promoting hair growth [24].

Contact us today to find out how encapsulation in liposomes is verified to be an efficient way to increase its solubility, bioavailability and other biological functions [23].

Hyaluronic Acid

As an essential component of the skin, hyaluron or hyaluronic acid (HA) plays an important role in water absorption. It has also been proven to be pivotal for keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation.

Oral Hyaluronic Acid Supplementation Works from Within

Did you know that orally consumed HA is absorbed and distributed to the skin? This increases the production of endogenous HA in the skin cells. As a result, the loss of moisture from the skin is inhibited, resulting in well-moisturized skin from the inside [21].

What else should I know before taking these supplements?

We remind you to please first consult with your primary care physician and avoid self-dosing before consuming the listed ingredients that we think can help improve the quality of your skin, hair and nails.

The Global Beauty Supplement Market

In 2015, the skin care segment dominated the global beauty supplement market followed by the hair care segment. Additionally, the study showed that Europe is the largest market for beauty supplements.

According to a competitive analysis, the global beauty supplement market is likely to reach over USD 13,845 Mn by 2025 [24]. In addition, with the rising demand in the Asia Pacific region, we see a huge opportunity for you to enter the global beauty supplement market with our liposomal products.

Key takeaways

Skin, hair and nail quality reduce due to indoor heating, washing often with warm water, unprotected exposure to UV rays or the sun and nutrient imbalances.
Vitamin C can remediate skin lesions, boost collagen production and provide stability and support to skin structure.
Vitamin D3 supports the maintenance of healthy skin as well as in the growth of hair.
Oral zinc supplementation is essential for the maintenance of healthy hair, skin and nails.
Coenzyme Q10, astaxanthin, collagen and hyaluronic acid are all nutrients that support healthy skin.
Resveratrol has benefits for both the hair and skin.
The global beauty supplement market is estimated at over USD 13,845 Mn by 2025 with a high demand in the Asia Pacific region.