Collagen takes center stage when it comes to supporting and promoting health skin, but it doesn’t have to act all alone. You may have already heard that vitamin C is essential for maintaining collagen levels, but there’s more to skin care than collagen. Skin is continuously repairing the harmful effects of UV radiation from sunlight and also fighting the internal moisture-stripping processes that lead to a level of dryness that no topical cream can fix on its own. To truly achieve a healthy resilient “glow”, we need to look at the supporting cast of nutrients that hydrate, seal, and protect the skin at a cellular level. Here are our top picks for nutricosmetics that complement collagen. . .
1. Quatrefolic®
Quatrefolic is a form of folate/folic acid, which is one of the B vitamins. It is designed to have a higher bioavailability than other forms of folate, so that your body can utilize it more efficiently. It provides as range of benefits from fetal development to blood health, mood, brain health, and even skin.
As skin ages, it loses firmness and elasticity, a process accelerated by sun exposure and high levels of a compound called homocysteine, both of which damage the skin’s collagen network. Supplementing with active folate (like Quatrefolic) can combat these effects by stimulating DNA repair, boosting collagen metabolism, and replenishing folate levels that are often depleted by chronic UV radiation (1,2). Beyond helping to reduce wrinkles and skin roughness, folate also supports healthy nail growth and hair vitality by aiding cell division and ensuring red blood cells can deliver oxygen to the scalp and extremities.
*** You can find Quatrefolic in Approved Science Active Methylated B Complex, a supplement designed to support healthy methylation and cellular repair, which are essential for maintaining vibrant skin, steady energy levels, and a balanced mood.
2. Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a reddish pigment that has powerful antioxidant capabilities. It is most commonly extracted from a microalgae, making a vegan ingredient. However, it can also be found in some seafood such as salmon, shrimp and krill, and it is the nutrient that turns flamingoes pink. But don’t worry, this supplement won’t turn your skin pink -instead, it will protect it!
Every day your skin is exposed to free radicals and oxidative stress, often caused by the sun’s UV rays or even the blue light in smartphones and tablets. Astaxanthin helps your body neutralize those free radicals and repair damage caused by oxidative stress. It has been studied specifically for its effects on UV-related skin damage and showed that it helps prevent inflammation and protects collagen from being broken down (3,4,5). Various studies on astaxanthin have shown that it also improves skin texture, appearance/wrinkles, and moisture (5).
*** You can purchase Astaxanthin from Approved Science to support your skin and eye health, exercise recovery, gut health, and more.
3. Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is almost as famous as collagen, but most people look for it in their creams and serums, rather than their supplements. However, hyaluronic acid can actually be safe for consumption. Often found in the form of sodium hyaluronate, this ingredient is the king of skin hydration. It’s said that hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times it’s weight in moisture.
When you ingest HA, it is broken down into smaller sugar molecules (oligosaccharides) by your gut bacteria and enzymes. It is then circulated by the bloodstream and delivered to the tissue where it is rebuilt and put to use. But here’s the catch, hyaluronic acid isn’t always directed to the skin. It’s sent to where you need it the most, be it the skin, joints, heart, lungs, or eyes. Nevertheless, consistent oral hyaluronic acid supplementation has been shown in clinical studies to improve skin parameters such as hydration, skin barrier function, and aging (6,7,8).
*** You can find Hyaluronic Acid in Approved Science Hair, Skin & Nails, a supplement designed to support strong nails, thicker and longer hair, and healthy supple skin.
Conclusion
Collagen is an incredibly effective supplement for combatting wrinkles, but skin health is more complex and nuanced than just building structure. For comprehensive skin support, it’s important to also choose nutrients that protect and repair at a cellular level as well as promote healthy skin barrier function.
While collagen provides the physical foundation, Quatrefolic ensures your cellular repair processes remain accurate and efficient, Astaxanthin provides a high-potency antioxidant shield against environmental stressors like blue light, and Hyaluronic Acid creates a deep internal moisture reservoir. These supplements are the perfect partners for collagen powder to fuel your skin’s ability to defend, hydrate, and renew itself from the inside out.
Ready to take your skin care routine to the next level?
Interested in learning more about the supplements mentioned in this post? Give these a read:
- Learn about the benefits of Approved Science’s B Complex here: Should You Be Taking A Methylated B Complex?
- Discover the health benefits of Astaxanthin in this post: How To Pronounce Astaxanthin And Why You Should Take It Every Day
- We don’t yet have a blog post about Hair, Skin & Nails, but you can learn more on the product page.