LET'S TALK ABOUT BEAUTY SUPPLEMENTS
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If you have ever noticed increased dullness or breakouts when you're not eating well (and you're over the age of 20), it's pretty apparent that what we consume is evident on our faces. Thankfully, we can also use this to our benefit by boosting our current diets with supplements targeted at beautifying. Behold, my favorite beauty pills and potions.
Supplements: I've been using Viviscal for the better part of a decade to promote hair and nail growth. I was sold when I read that it's a favorite of models who swear by it to recover their hair from extensive amounts of color and styling. It's a supplement that includes biotin, iron and zinc--but it's secret ingredient is actually (vegans, avert your eyes) shark. The company states that they do not use ingredients from any endangered species and that the shark powder is ethically sourced. All I can tell you is that when I first started using Viviscal, my hair was incredibly thin and brittle, and I had trouble growing it past my bra line. Within several months, my hair became significantly stronger with noticeably increased volume, and longer than it had ever been before. I'll never have dreamy Disney princess hair, but Viviscal brings me as close as I'm ever going to get. Word to the wise: if you do decide to try it, give it three months to see results, and don't take it on an empty stomach.
A new herbal supplement for me is Evening Primrose Oil. The oil has been taken orally for centuries to regulate hormones and ease symptoms of PMS. This helps to balance out the hormones that are the culprit of hormonal acne, and is sort of the herbal version of spironolactone. Just please be advised: just because something is marketed as a supplement or "natural", doesn't mean that it can't have some very real side effects. Herbal medications can be incredibly potent. And unfortunately, since they're not regulated by the FDA or a governing body, dosages aren't regulated and there are no published warnings to help you look out for contraindications or adverse effects. So be sure to check with a trusted provider and do your own research, particularly if you are pregnant or taking any other medications or supplements.
Omega-3 oil is another go-to for skin health, with added benefits for the heart and mind (it's also recommended to lessen the symptoms of ADD). You can read here about how omega-3's in our diet contribute to healthy skin and hair. I like this formula because it contains pure fish oil. Some formulas include omega-6's as well, but I skip those since I already get them from the evening primrose oil.
Fairy Dusts: I think Moon Juice products deserve their own separate category, don't you? These mystical powders have become part of my daily routine in the form of a GP Morning Smoothie. Beauty Dust is a formula made of a variety of powerful ingredients, mainly ancient Chinese herbal remedies. With such rave reviews on the efficacy of this product, I felt inclined to research their history. Breaking it down—goji is a potent antioxidant we all know and love. Rehmannia is believed to enhance blood circulation, contributing to a youthful glow. In addition to potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, schisandra is an adaptogen traditionally used to slow the aging process and reducing stress hormones (that infamous cortisol). Pearl is exactly what it sounds like—ground up pearl powder. It is incredibly rich in minerals and amino acids and has been taken for centuries as an anti-aging supplement. In addition to the Beauty Dust, Ho Shou Wu is another ancient remedy used to boost youthfulness and sex drive. I initially purchased in to include in GP's legendary Sex Bark (which is delicious, by the way), but I love this in my smoothies as well.
Teas: An easy and inexpensive way to introduce skin-friendly ingredients into your daily routine, teas can hold significant, beautifying benefits. Teaonic is a company that bottles prebrewed teas, targeted at improving the function of a variety of body systems. The I Love My Skin formula contains nine different brews, all targeted for clear and radiant skin. Yogi's Skin DeTox contains green tea, rose, and hibiscus—a combination that provides a great source of antioxidants and tastes amazing over ice. You can drink the tea as recommended as part of a detox, but it's great to just sip on as well. The Healthy Skin formula helps the skin retain moisture, with schisandra berry (hello again!), as well as nettle and mullein leaf. Combined with cinnamon bark and cardamom to support circulation, this is a great tasting tea with some amazing, glow-inducing effects.