DRINK TO GOOD SKIN

The world of ingestible beauty with formulations that bring out the best in you – from the inside out – is as varied as it is fascinating, says Dara Chau and Yanni Tan.

The world of ingestible beauty with formulations that bring out the best in you – from the inside out

The harsh truth is that fairy tales don’t exist and happily-ever-afters are make-believe. But just imagine if the magical potions we read about as children could actually make dreams come true… And if, like me, your dream in life includes flawless skin, hair and nails that are not only naturally beautiful, but require minimal maintenance, then maybe childhood fiction does have a way of turning into a reality. Enter ingestible supplements.

The latest beauty craze goes far enough to take care of not only what’s on the outside, but our inner health too. After all, true beauty is the visible evidence of good health. We see supplements and vitamins make their way onto top shelves and into medicine cabinets, and beauty buffs turning to products they can eat and drink to balance out their insides – and all so they can look good on the outside.

It makes sense to address the issue at source. And thus was born an entirely new beauty realm of ingestibles – blends and concoctions of nutrient-rich goodness to feed and fuel skin, hair and nails. A complementary routine to go along with the “spreadable” beauty that sometimes just isn’t quite enough.

We explore the “beauty pharmacy” to recommend the consumable recipes best prescribed for every skin type.

DRY SKIN

Hydration is key – and this will always remain the golden rule when it comes to glowing skin. So for those who need an extra moisture boost, inner beauty pioneer The Beauty Chef has whipped up a remedy to quench the skin’s thirst. The Omega Elixir is a blend of plantbased omega 3, 6, 7 and 9 from seeds, fruits and flowers to feed essential fatty acids to the skin and maintain its structural integrity.

Meanwhile, the answer to moisture from the British scientists of Skinade is collagen. Containing hydrolysed marine collagen, vitamin B and C, omega 3 and 6, the ingredients of this collagen drink boost hydration, suppleness and radiance, while reducing wrinkles and sagging. The 30-day programme also leads to stronger and healthier growth of hair and nails.

OILY SKIN

Turmeric is another natural ingredient that for centuries has been used for beauty purposes (thanks, Cleopatra). So you can count on any product that contains this spice, such as Tonik’s No. 3 Turmeric Capsules. With botanicals, essential oils and 19 times the curcumin content of the spice, the liquid-filled capsules are absorbed quickly by the body. The antiinflammatory and antibacterial components of the spice help clear up acne, reduce redness, control flare-ups, induce radiance and minimise the appearance of scarring. Take two of the golden tablets a day and you’ll be glowing in no time.

FULL-BODY MAINTENANCE

A high-tech innovation resulting from 10 years of R&D, Df-ceramide is extracted from brown rice and creates a three-step moisturising barrier for the skin to prevent moisture from escaping. It is the signature (and highly precious) ingredient in Orbis Defencera, the first and only Foshu-certified oral skincare in Japan. FOSHU stands for “Food for Specified Health Uses”, an official certification issued by the Japanese health authorities for products containing specific functions for health, and officially approved for their claims on physiological effects on the human body. Just by consuming one sachet of Orbis Defencera a day on its own, the edible moisturiser will impart smooth and supple skin all over the body including oft-neglected areas such as the back, elbows and heels for up to 24 hours.

COMBINATION SKIN

It’s easy to spot cider vinegar junkies: they never quit preaching about the life-changing two tablespoons. With its astringent properties, CV is said to increase the blood flow to the skin, which reinforces the skin’s barrier, minimises pores, and regulates and rebalances the skin’s ph levels… the list of perks is extensive. Albeit miraculous, it doesn’t come without a drawback – the level of acidity is corrosive on teeth enamel, not to mention the flavour isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. That’s when Goli came up with a tasty alternative – the world’s first apple cider vinegar gummies. Holding the same age-old benefits of CV, Goli gummies are convenient to pop while on the go and are also pleasant on the palate.

NORMAL SKIN

Dr Barbara Sturm’s excellent serums and skincare drops aren’t the only things she’s known for since she introduced her own brand Skin Food – a supplement that’s a nutritional boost for the body and skin, which can be thought of as the 360-degree approach to inner health. With the superfood purslane as its core ingredient, Skin Food helps to calm the skin, while antioxidant substances are used to enhance the skin’s defence mechanism and support its ability to retain hydration and promote skin renewal, and glucosamine reduces inflammation. The capsules are vegan and are easily absorbed.

Another doctor-turned-beauty entrepreneur is Emilia Javorsky, the founder and chief scientific officer of Sundaily. The Harvard-trained dermatology researcher discovered a blend of powerful botanical ingredients (which are also organic and vegan, as well as GMO-, glutenand dairy-free) to protect the skin from harmful stressors. Preventing free-radical damage from the inevitable daily contact with environmental elements, such as sun and smog (thanks to key ingredients polypodium leucotomos and vitamin D3), skin is smoothed and soothed after just four weeks of consistent use.