Looking for a bit of a skin boost? Aren’t we all! If you’ve tried every cream on the market, are well-acquainted with serums and getting enough sleep, and are drinking enough water and keeping stress levels down, you may be wondering what else you can do to boost your skin’s radiance. And the answer might very well be: take a supplement.
But don’t take just any old supplement. It’s important to, first and foremost, check in with your doctor to make sure you aren’t deficient in nutrients and don’t need a specific mineral or vitamin to help your skin. With all of that squared away, augmenting with one of these four recommended collagen-boosting supplements for women can help maintain skin elasticity.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid
Omega-3 fatty acid is important for brain health AND your skin. This nutrient can help soften and moisturize dry skin, while regulating the skin’s oil production to help prevent breakouts. Choose an omega-3 fatty acid supplement that is in pill work, not gummy, to avoid excess sugar that you don’t need (sugar breaks down collagen and elastin). Foods that are high in omega-3 include mackerel, sardines, salmon, and (if you’re not a fan of cold water fish), walnuts, flax seeds, and chia seeds.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the most important nutrients for building new collagen — it plays a crucial role in skin health. It’s very easy to obtain enough vitamin C from food sources and taking excess vitamin C when you already get plenty isn’t going to help your skin or health. But if you are taking a supplement, be mindful to keep your dosage below 2,000 milligrams.
Vitamin D-3
A vitamin D-3 deficiency is more common than vitamin C, especially if you avoid the sun and dairy products. A lack of this important vitamin can lead to skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, so it’s a good idea to get your vitamin levels checked if you suffer from skin issues — supplementing might help.
Collagen
There is some research that links collagen supplements with clearer, healthier skin. If you want to try collagen, it comes in a number of forms that include gummies, pills, and powder that you can add to water or other drinks. Look for a supplement that contains collagen types I and III for optimum skin health.
