nutrition boost

From increasing hydration to reducing signs of ageing, supplements can enhance results and add value to salon services, writes Erin Leybourne

As the demand for holistic beauty solutions continues to rise, skin supplements have carved out a significant place in the skincare industry. For beauty therapists and salon owners, understanding the role of these supplements goes beyond the surface –it’s about offering clients a comprehensive approach to skin health that complements professional treatments

In the rush of daily life, convenience is key, and its causing people to miss out on the essential nutrients that keep their body and skin healthy.

Boguslawa Gruszka, a health wellness coach and certified nutritional advisor, who runs personalised health coaching business One Way to Zen, always tells her clients take the time out of their day to eat a well-rounded breakfast.

“Everything we eat shows in how we look and how we feel. You have to make time for a proper breakfast and eat slowly to start your day. We wake up and grab what we have and run to work, but I want to teach good habits,” she says.

“When my clients come back to me, they have more energy, they’re happier, and their skin looks better.” She also recommends green tea, even offering a green tea supplement to her clients.

Supplements

Where daily life is lacking, supplements can be a convenient addition to round out your client’s nutrient profile. Gruszka recommends a range of vitamins to support skin health, including vitamins D, A, C and E. She also takes collagen supplements and recommends them to her clients, as well as hyaluronic acid.

Vitamin A: Often used in skincare as retinol or retinal, vitamin A helps to treat wrinkles as skin is retinoid-responsive. It can also work from within and is included in many skin supplements. “It can also be found naturally in nuts, seeds, avocado and carrots,” says Gruszka.

Vitamin C: This powerful antioxidant can help to support vitamin D production. “Vitamin C helps with brightening. We can get it naturally, from grapefruits and oranges, but you can also get vitamin C tablets and powders,” says Gruszka. “It’s fantastic for mood and the brain.”

Vitamin D: This vitamin is naturally derived from the sun, and due to the UK’s less-thansunny climate, a lot of its population are deficient in it to some extent. “We don’t really have natural vitamin D in this country, so it’s a huge one that we need. It takes three to six months to see results on the skin,” says Gruszka.

Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. A deficiency can be associated with poor immune function, and increased inflammation, making it a risk factor for skin concerns like psoriasis and dermatitis.

Vitamin E: Within the body, vitamin E helps maintain healthy skin and eyes, as well as strengthening the immune system. The body stores vitamin E that it doesn’t immediately need, so the NHS advises taking less than 540mg a day.

“I usually recommend supplementing with Vitamin E to clients who need to boost their skin’s antioxidant defence, especially those dealing with skin ageing or damage caused by environmental factors like pollution and sun exposure,” says Gruszka.

Collagen: This protein that occurs naturally in the human body, supporting muscles, tissues and skin, helping to keep it bouncy and healthy. Gruszka advises marine collagen for her clients, particularly those who are struggling with skin concerns.

“I had a client who told me he was struggling with his skin, he said he wasn’t a teenager anymore, but he was dealing with spots and rashes, potentially eczema,” she says.

“I asked him to look at his routine, to check for any allergies that could be causing a reaction. I advised he try fish collagen to help, and supplement vitamin D. He saw positive results – his skin improved in terms of hydration, and the inflammation associated with both conditions was reduced. Along with this, we also focused on improving his skincare routine, which helped support the supplementation.”

Hyaluronic acid: For hydrated skin, hyaluronic acid is a go-to ingredient, due to its water-retaining properties. “I also advise supplementing with hyaluronic acid when clients have dry, dehydrated skin, or if they’re looking to boost their skin’s moisture retention and plumpness,” says Gruszka.

Probiotics: Synthesised supplements are handy to help meet the quota of nutrients the skin needs, but they might not be as easy to digest as whole foods. Taking a probiotic alongside any supplements can help to balance the gut and ensure the supplements you recommend to a client are having their full effect, without causing additional inflammation and stress on the body.

“I suggest probiotics for clients with gut imbalances, as a healthy gut microbiome often leads to healthier skin. This is especially true for those dealing with inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, or rosacea,” says Gruszka.

Realistic expectations

Supplements can be a great support to professional treatments, but its important that clients are warned that their effects will not be immediate.

Gruszka tells all her clients to expect slow results from their skin supplementation, “The body will show results if you give it time – take a slowly, slowly approach,” she adds.