Build a Healthy Beauty Routine
What we put on our skin and in our bodies has a major effect on our appearance. That's why finding and using the best beauty products is so important. Looking for a quick list of skin care must-haves? Here are 10 trending beauty ingredients and products that deserve a place on the top shelf of your beauty cabinet.
1. Probiotics in Skincare
Just like your gut, your skin is home to a diverse group of living microorganisms. Before you get grossed out by that, know this: the beneficial organisms that make up your skin flora are there for a very good reason. They help keep your skin healthy, forming a barrier between skin and bad bacteria or toxins, and they may even play a role in your skin’s immune response.1,2
But sometimes that microbial universe can get thrown off balance, which can lead to skin problems. This is where probiotic skincare comes in. By reinforcing your skin with beneficial, healthy bacteria, you get more of the good guys fighting for the home team. Probiotic skincare creates a reinforced barrier between your skin and the bad bacteria and toxins that can contribute to skin concerns.2
This healthy skincare trend highlights the fact that there’s more to skincare than just cleansing and moisturizing. Like every other system in our body, our skin needs balance to thrive. Get the benefits of probiotic skincare in Probulin® probiotic facial serums and moisturizers.
2. Hyaluronic Acid Hydration
Another top beauty trend making waves right now is hyaluronic acid serum. This skin-plumping hydrator has definitely earned the hype. Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of our skin, playing roles in skin health, elasticity, water balance for skin hydration and more.3,4
The magic of hyaluronic acid as a skin hydrator comes from the fact that hyaluronic acid molecules can hold up to 1,000x their weight in water.4 When applied to the skin, hyaluronic acid serums attract moisture to your skin, improving your skin’s moisture barrier to help keep it hydrated for a fresh, dewy complexion. And since lack of moisture in the skin is a big factor in skin aging, hyaluronic acid may help keep us looking fresh-faced for years to come!
One thing you may notice while shopping for this helpful molecule is the extremely varied price points of hyaluronic acid products. Skip the expensive department store brands and try it in Swanson Hyaluronic Acid Serum.
3. Nut & Seed Oil Moisturizers
There’s an undeniable trend toward more natural beauty products as more of us realize that simple ingredients are often better for both ourselves and the environment.
Complicated moisturizing creams are being replaced by plant-based oils which were the most active ingredients in many of those creams in the first place. Who needs all those preservatives and additives when you can get straight to the source of the benefits?
Nourishing oils like rosehip seed oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, marula oil, almond oil, and coconut oil are all making their way onto our beauty shelves, both for our hair and our skin, and not just as secondary ingredients. Here are six hair and skin oils to try:
Swanson Premium Certified Organic Argan Oil: Packed with vitamin E, essential fatty acids and polyphenols, argan oil is hydrating and nourishing.5
Organic Restoring Rosehip Oil: Rosehips are a natural source of essential fatty acids and vitamin A, which has restorative properties that make it a popular addition to skin care products and a top healthy-aging oil.5
Swanson Premium Jojoba Oil, Certified Organic: Jojoba oil is similar to the natural sebum in your skin. This balancing oil works for all skin types because it can both replicate the skin’s moisture and dissolve excess oil.5
Swanson Premium 100% Pure Marula Oil: This oil is derived from the nut of the African marula fruit. It's rich in fatty acids and loaded with antioxidants to help protect against free-radical damage that can contribute to skin aging.5
Pure Almond Oil: Almond oil is rich in Vitamin E and perfect for nourishing and reviving any skin type without clogging pores. Try adding a few drops to your hair conditioner for an extra dose of hydration for your locks.
Swanson Certified 100% Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil: Luxuriously moisturizing coconut oil is extremely versatile. It’s solid at room temperature but melts with the touch of your skin. Coconut oil is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids and smells delicious! This highly moisturizing oil is the perfect option for dry winter skin.
4. Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
Dubbed “the world’s most powerful facial,” Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is a tried and true beauty trend that’s here to stay. Fans of this deep-pore cleansing clay rave about it online by the thousands. The clay powder is made up of bentonite. Similar clays have been used for centuries in beauty and spa treatments dating back to Roman bathhouses, and even a 16th-century French priest was known for treating himself to clay facials.6
To make this must-try facial yourself, mix Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay with apple cider vinegar or water. The clay powder blends better with apple cider vinegar than with water, and you get the added benefits of apple cider vinegar that way too. For a detoxifying boost, break open a capsule of activated charcoal and add it to your clay mixture!
5. Rogaine® for Men
Year after year, Rogaine® for Men has remained one of the most popular hair care products in its category. The fact that Rogaine® is still popular after all these years should come as no big surprise. After all—what man doesn’t want healthy hair? Legions of users swear by this FDA-approved, clinically-proven formula.
So, how does Rogaine® work? Hair loss in men is often caused by shrinking of hair follicles, which over time results in less visible hair.7 What’s the main ingredient in Rogaine®? The main ingredient of Rogaine® is 5% Minoxidil, which helps revive shrunken hair follicles and extend your hair's natural growth cycle.7 Other ingredients in Rogaine®, including botanical extracts, emollients and alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), nourish the scalp. Try it yourself in Men's Rogaine Extra Strength - 3 Month Supply.
6. Vitamin C Skincare
Vitamin C creams and serums aren’t new to the scene, but they’ve recently become a skincare staple. Beauty aficionados swear by topical vitamin C for helping even out skin tone and texture, and for anti-aging benefits.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect skin cells against free radicals and photoaging. It also regulates collagen formation, another important factor in skin aging.8 Get the benefits of this buzz-worthy favorite in Swanson Premium Vitamin C Cream, which features a skin-supporting combo of vitamins and botanicals.
7. Antioxidants for Healthy Skin
Vitamin C isn’t the only antioxidant that’s trending in beauty. Antioxidants help protect our skin cells from damaging oxidative stress, making them especially important for keeping skin healthy and fighting signs of aging. Other antioxidant-packed trends for healthy skin include topical resveratrol and matcha green tea.
Resveratrol is found in the skin of grapes, and research shows it has strong anti-aging properties.9 Matcha green tea is a type of tea that is particularly rich in antioxidant phytonutrients. It’s made from finely ground green tea leaves. You can drink it to get the benefits, but it’s showing up in many skin care products as well. Get the benefits in Swanson Resveratrol Wrinkle Cream with Hyaluronic Acid and Swanson Organic 100% Certified Organic Matcha Green Tea.
8. Better for You Sunscreens
What goes on your skin matters just as much as what you put in your body, and as we become more ingredient savvy, our everyday products are changing for the better.
Sunscreen is no exception, and yes, you should be wearing it every single day! But with that much wear time, it’s really important to choose a more wholesome option, like mineral-based sunscreens that also pack in a healthy dose of skin-loving moisturizers and antioxidants.
Here are two to try:
Derma E Antioxidant Natural Sunscreen - Body SPF 30: This broad-spectrum sunscreen includes antioxidant vitamin C and green tea. It’s 100% vegan and contains no harmful parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, petrolatum, mineral oil, artificial colors, GMOs or gluten.
Jason Natural Pure Natural Sun Natural Sunscreen SPF 45 - Family: This sunscreen offers full-spectrum skin protection while combining powerful antioxidants and natural ingredients to protect, nourish and reduce premature aging of the skin.
9. Skincare Supplements
It’s no secret that beauty starts from the inside. That’s highlighted by the fact that beauty supplements have officially achieved trend status lately. If you read the labels on those trending skincare supplements, you’ll find ingredients like Schisandra berry, marine collagen, and black currant seed oil, along with long-standing beauty favorites like vitamin E and biotin. Here’s why these ingredients are so popular.
Schisandra Berry: As an adaptogenic herb, Schisandra helps fight off the physical and mental effects of stress. Since stress can show up on your skin, that’s a huge help for keeping your glow, plus Shisandra berry is full of antioxidants that help protect skin against photoaging.10
Marine Collagen: Have you noticed your favorite Instagram stars adding marine collagen to their morning smoothies? The skin-boosting benefits of collagen include improved moisture retention, skin texture and suppleness, plus it may help keep wrinkles from forming.11 Why marine collagen? It’s more readily absorbed by the body than other types of collagen making it a favorite among wellness experts.12
Black Currant Seed Oil: As an excellent source of both alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), black currant seed oil is in the limelight as a beautifying supplement that supports hair and skin.13,14
Vitamin E: Antioxidant vitamin E is absolutely essential for maintaining healthy skin. It plays a role in fighting signs of skin aging and supports collagen.15 Combine vitamin E with vitamin C supplements for a powerful skin-health duo.
Biotin: Beautifying biotin helps your skin cells absorb nutrients and stimulates hair and nails.16 This nutrient has a long-standing reputation as a beauty supplement.
10. Total Body Beauty
Why should your face have all the fun? Another wellness trend we love is caring for the rest of your skin as well as you care for your face. And why not? You deserve self-care from head to toe!
Many of the nutrients mentioned above benefit your entire body, and your favorite ingredients for keeping your facial complexion hydrated and happy can help nourish your body too. Try moisturizing with almond oil, add vegetarian squalene oil or hyaluronic acid to your lotions for a hydrating boost, or add any of the other skin-friendly trends above to your body care routine.
What’s On Your Top Shelf?
There’s nothing more beautiful than nurturing your best and healthiest self. Beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your health and beauty routine should be as unique as you are!, and we’d love to hear about it.
About Lindsey Toth, MS, RD
Lindsey is a nationally recognized registered dietitian and nutritionist with a soft spot for ice cream. She empowers people to take charge of their health by finding the balance between the pleasure and nourishment in food. Her philosophy is that you should take care of your body because it’s the only permanent home you have. It’s what inspired her to pursue a career in nutrition.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources
1. The Effect of Probiotics. International Journal of Women's Dermatology. Read source
2. Probiotics for Acne. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Read source
3. Hyaluronic Acid. Dermato Endocrinology. Read source
4. Hyaluronic Acid. Fidia Farmaceutici. Read source
5. The 5 Best Oils for Your Skin. HealthLine. Read source
6. History of Healing Clay. Aztec Secret. Read source
7. Men's Hair Loss Causes. Rogaine. Read source
8. Vitamin C and Skin Health. Oregon State University. Read source
9. Anti-aging Properties of Resveratrol. PubMed. Read source
10. Protective Effect of Schizandrin B. Bioengineered. Read source
11. An Overview of the Beneficial Effects of Hydrolysed Collagen. The Open Nutraceuticals Journal. Read source
12. A Novel Enzymatic Method. Food and Nutrition Sciences. Read source
13. Essential Fatty Acids and Skin Health. Oregon State University. Read source
14. GLA: Fit for a King? HealthLine. Read source
15. Vitamin E and Skin Health. Oregon State University. Read source
16. Biotin. WebMD. Read source
