What is the best dietary supplement for skin and hair?

Why does the vitality of your skin and hair come from within?

Nutricosmetics: nourishing the dermis and hair follicles

Nutricosmetics refers to the oral intake of nutrients in the form of dietary supplements designed to support the beauty of the skin and hair from within.

Once absorbed, the active ingredients in nutricosmetics are distributed via the bloodstream to the tissues, in particular via the blood capillaries, the smallest vessels in the human body.

In the scalp, each hair follicle rests on a structure called the dermal papilla, which is richly supplied with blood via this network of capillaries (1).

A similar mechanism supplies the dermis, where the fibroblasts responsible for the synthesis of collagen and hyaluronic acid are located (2).

This blood supply therefore ensures a continuous delivery of the oxygen, nutrients and micronutrients necessary for the health of the dermis and the hair.

Topical treatments, on the other hand, generally act on the superficial layers of the epidermis and on the hair shaft, without reaching the deeper structures such as the dermis and the hair bulb.

The crucial role of the cell renewal cycle

The skin and hair are constantly renewing themselves, following biological cycles specific to each tissue.

In the skin, cells are formed in the basal layer of the epidermis, then gradually migrate towards the surface before being shed.

Complete renewal generally takes around 28 days, a timeframe that lengthens with age, particularly after the age of 50 (3).

This cycle explains why the effects of taking supplements are usually only visible after several weeks of regular use.

Hair, however, follows a much longer cycle, divided into three phases: the anagen (growth) phase, the catagen (transition) phase and the telogen (resting) phase.

The anagen phase, during which the hair follicle actively produces the hair shaft, generally lasts between 2 and 8 years, depending on the individual (4).

It is during this phase that the hair bulb is at its most metabolically active, and therefore most dependent on an appropriate nutritional intake.

These findings explain why a course of nutricosmetics requires several months of consistent use before any results can be observed in terms of skin quality or the appearance of the hair.

Essential nutrients for skin and hair

The collagen and hyaluronic acid duo: the building blocks of structure

Hyaluronic acid is present throughout the body, including the dermis. Its distinctive feature is that it retains water, thereby helping the skin to maintain its firmness and plump appearance (5).

By supporting hydration and the integrity of the skin barrier, it also helps to maintain a healthy scalp, which is essential for the health of the hair follicles (6).

Discover Hyaluronic Acid, a patented oral hyaluronic acid supplement with maximum bioavailability, derived from entirely natural sources.

Collagen, for its part, forms a network of strong fibres that criss-cross the dermis, much like a framework.

It is this collagen architecture that gives the skin its firmness and resistance to stretching.

In skin supplements, collagen can be supplied in its native form or as hydrolysed collagen, i.e. broken down into low-molecular-weight peptides.

It is in this form that it is most bioavailable, and therefore more easily absorbed by the body.

A systematic review suggests that taking hydrolysed collagen is associated with more supple and better-hydrated skin, with more pronounced effects when supplementation is continued over the long term (7).

Discover Marine Collagen, a patented marine-sourced hydrolysed collagen produced using a state-of-the-art enzymatic process.

Some formulations combine hyaluronic acid and collagen with other nutrients to provide a comprehensive effect on the skin, hair and nails.

Discover the Daily Beauty formula, containing hyaluronic acid, collagen peptides, soluble keratin, biotin and zinc.

Biotin (B8) and zinc: two key micronutrients for the skin and hair

Involved in numerous biological functions, zinc is a trace element essential to the body. It helps maintain normal skin, nails and hair.

Zinc acts right at the hair root, at the heart of the hair follicle, to support several mechanisms essential for hair growth and strength.

Some research highlights in particular the importance of screening for potential zinc deficiencies in people suffering from hair loss.

A study published in 2023 revealed lower zinc levels in patients with alopecia areata (spot baldness), with a correlation between the severity of the deficiency and the extent of hair loss (8).

The recommended daily intakes are approximately 10mg for women and 12mg for men (9).

However, despite its importance, zinc is not stored by the body.

It is therefore essential to ensure a regular intake, either through diet or via supplementation, focusing on forms with high bioavailability.

Zinc bisglycinate, bound to two glycine molecules, uses amino acid transporters to cross the intestinal wall, making it one of the most readily absorbed forms.

Discover Zinc Bisglycinate, lozenges formulated with zinc bisglycinate, a form recognised for its bioavailability and good digestive tolerance.

Zinc methionine, on the other hand, binds zinc to an amino acid that is easily recognised and transported by the body, which facilitates its absorption and prolongs its retention in the tissues.

Discover L-OptiZinc®, a zinc supplement bound to methionine, for optimal bioavailability and significantly increased retention.

As for vitamins, vitamin B8, also known as biotin, plays a role in the overall health of the skin and hair. It helps maintain normal skin, hair and mucous membranes.

Discover Biotin, a biotin supplement containing 10mg per capsule, to support the health and radiance of your skin and hair on a daily basis.

For a combined effect, some formulas bring together several of these active ingredients in a single supplement.

Discover Hair & Nails Formula, a natural formula that combines the 11 most effective compounds for the health and appearance of hair and nails, such as biotin, zinc, solubilised keratin, L-cysteine, vitamin C and a silica-rich bamboo extract.

Vitamin C and antioxidants: a shield against cellular stress

As an antioxidant and collagen booster, vitamin C helps to protect cells (including those in the skin and scalp) against oxidative stress, whilst also supporting normal collagen formation.

Vitamin C is also an essential cofactor in collagen synthesis, as fibroblasts – cells found in the dermis – require vitamin C to produce it.

Research suggests that it may therefore help to slow down the natural ageing of the skin by reducing oxidative stress caused by external and internal factors, and by promoting the expression and maturation of collagen genes (10).

Vitamin E is also a powerful antioxidant: it helps protect cells against oxidative stress.

A study conducted on people suffering from hair loss showed that oral supplementation with tocotrienols (a form of vitamin E) for 8 months significantly increased hair count, an effect attributed to the reduction of oxidative stress in the scalp (11).

How can you identify the best dietary supplement for skin and hair?

The importance of bioavailability

The term ‘bioavailability’ refers to the proportion of a substance actually absorbed by the body compared to the amount ingested.

In fact, a supplement may be:

• partially broken down by digestive enzymes or gut bacteria;
• poorly absorbed by the body;
• eliminated prematurely via the kidneys or bile before it has had a chance to take effect.

Hence the importance of choosing a beauty supplement with high bioavailability.

The bioavailability of a supplement depends in particular on its dosage form, i.e. the form in which the nutrient is presented: tablet, capsule, powder or liquid solution.

This form can influence the release and dissolution of the active ingredient in the digestive tract, two necessary stages before it is absorbed by the body.

But the dosage form is not the only factor to consider: not all forms of the same nutrient are equally effective.

Zinc is a good example: zinc oxide, which is very common, is poorly absorbed.

In contrast, chelated forms such as zinc bisglycinate or zinc methionine are very well absorbed thanks to their combination with amino acids, which facilitate their passage through the gut.

These various factors determine the amount of active ingredient that actually reaches the bloodstream, and therefore its bioavailability.

Consequently, the dosage stated on the label is not sufficient to assess the amount of active ingredients actually available to the body.

Gentle and traceable formulations

Beyond the ingredients, the quality of a dietary supplement is also judged by the quality of the raw materials used, the rigour of the manufacturing processes and the brand’s transparency regarding compliance and safety.

SuperSmart has been designing and manufacturing its dietary supplements, including advanced nutricosmetics, for over 30 years.

Our expertise is based on a rigorous approach to the design and production of formulations, and on active scientific monitoring, which enables us to maintain the highest level of innovation on the market.

Comparison: which SuperSmart formula should you choose to suit your needs?

Frequently asked questions about beauty supplements

How long does a course of treatment need to be followed to see results?

It generally takes between 3 and 6 months of regular use before visible results are observed in skin quality or hair density.

This timeframe allows the nutrients to support several complete cycles of cell renewal.

Consistency in taking the supplements is just as important as the duration: regularly interrupting the course will delay the appearance of the first results.

Can you combine several nutritional supplements?

Yes, it is entirely possible to combine several beauty supplements to target different needs, for example by taking a collagen supplement for the skin and a supplement containing zinc, biotin and keratin for the hair.

You simply need to pay attention to the Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) when certain active ingredients are present in several supplements.

For example, the recommended daily intakes are around 10mg per day for zinc and 55µg per day for selenium.

It is therefore advisable to check the list of ingredients and the total content of active ingredients before combining several nutritional complexes.