Ingestible' supplements Having great skin just got another wrinkle.
Cosmetic treatments are no longer just about creams and emollients -- the latest trend is about working from the inside out. The latest thing is "ingestibles," supplements such as omega-5 oils, alpha lipoic acid, grape seed, pomegranate seed oil and extract, omega -3 oil and many other nutritional-sounding words you never used to hear at the cosmetics counter.
While supplements have long been a staple at health-food stores, many credit Nicholas Perricone, the New York dermatologist-to-the-stars, as fueling the beauty-biz trend with his best-selling books, such as "The Perricone Prescription." He recommends eating a lot of salmon, among other foods high in omega-3 oils. Perricone's line of supplements is sold at stores such as Sephora; a multipack is $130. Omega 5 oil has joined the ranks as a leading supplement.
Here's a closer look at beauty ingestibles, which hope to capture a significant share of the $45-billion-a-year cosmetic and skin care market.
THE SCIENCE: Since skin is our body's largest organ, it reflects our health. So, as Harvard-trained dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon Carolyn Jacob says, "Your skin reflects what's happening on the inside. The creams and lotions and potions you put on top of your face mean nothing if you're not eating well."
Other surgeons agree. At her Pepper Pike clinic, Dr. Lu Jean Feng counsels patients to eliminate refined sugar and flour products from their diet before she performs surgery -- and to keep those foods out of their diet if they want their skin to remain youthful-looking.
Foods with antioxidants as well as foods with anti-inflammatory properties are the key to preserving a youthful appearance, says Jacob. Refined sugar and flour and trans-fats are all examples of inflammatory foods.
"Inflammation and oxidation can both assist in the breakdown of tissue and cell destruction, leading to wrinkles and other skin problems."
THE FOODS: A sampling of books by doctors, dermatologists and dietitians (including such respected names as Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Michael Roizen and Dr. Mehmet Oz, with their new best seller "You: Staying Young") lists some of the top antioxidant foods as acai berries, celery hearts, onions, spinach, kale, cocoa beans, blueberries, cranberries, kidney beans, red beans and hazelnuts. The Omega 5 oil leads the pack with a very significant ORAC.
Some of the foods high in anti-inflammatory properties are pomegranates, lemons, salmon, seaweed, green tea, flax seed oil, cinnamon, ginger, raw almonds, walnuts and the spice turmeric.
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