The Skin Care Supplement Recommended By mbg's Beauty Director* 

As a beauty editor, a big part of my job is recommending products. I do it on the website in my stories, via my podcast while I'm chatting with other guests, and—well—in person when friends or co-workers come to me with questions or complaints about their current lineup. I never get bored of it. This is largely due to the fact that product recommendations are so unique to the individual, so whittling down the list of options until you get the perfect match is really about getting to know someone—their likes, specific tastes, needs, and concerns. 

And one question I get asked about frequently is what skin care supplements are worth it? A valid question considering how many products are on the market, and their wide range of sparkly and spectacular promises. They all can't live up to the hype, no? In short: No! Many fall short on formulation, efficacy, innovation, and transparency—which makes it hard to offer meaningful recommendations to folks looking in earnest to help their skin from the inside out. 

Listen, I love learning about the science of skin—and how you can use science to improve your own. That's why this formula piques my interest so much: It's a revolutionary formula that combines four targeted cosmeceutical ingredients that are shown to enhance the quality of the skin and be proactive in its care for the long term.*

Let's start with astaxanthin. This potent carotenoid phytonutrient and potent antioxidant is clinically shown to protect skin cells (notably against UV exposure) and help preserve the collagen layer.* But what does that mean for your complexion as you take it? 

Well, several clinicals point to real, tangible skin care benefits of taking the phytonutrient: ​​In one study, astaxanthin supplementation significantly improved skin elasticity, smoothness, and hydration in just 12 weeks.* Another study found astaxanthin improved skin wrinkles, age spot size, and skin texture1.* And in a recent double-blind clinical, subjects reported significant improvement in moisture levels (especially around the eyes), overall improved elasticity, and appearance of tone.* On that latter point: I've been taking the new formula and have noticed significant improvement in the appearance of my eyes—they're less sallow and sketched with fine lines and far more supple and bright.* 

This is folded in with another favorite of mine: phytoceramides. Ceramides are a natural lipid found in the skin barrier and play an important role in keeping the skin hydrated. Plant-derived versions, when taken orally, can enhance your natural moisture levels2—up to 35% according to one study.* The cool part is it really doesn't take that long to see soft, supple skin in the mirror; just halfway through my first bottle, my skin looked and felt more dewy: Like I had upgraded to the super-luxe face cream that holds a special place on the top shelf.* It's not in my imagination either, research also shows that you may see improved skin hydration after just 15 days3.*

Next on the noteworthy list is pomegranate whole fruit extract, a premium botanical concentrated in antioxidants. While consuming antioxidants, in general, is always beneficial, I love having this one in my routine. Why? Its ability to promote cellular resilience and its anti-inflammatory properties.* Plus, it's clinically shown to enhance antioxidant responses, which can help the body attenuate oxidative stress (basically when your body is in free-radical free-fall) by increasing antioxidant capacity in the body.* In fact, pomegranate extract has been clinically shown to reduce biomarkers of oxidative stress4.*