Potential Roles of Nutritional Supplements in Skin Health and Anti-Aging

As public interest in health grows, dietary supplements are attracting more attention for improving general and cutaneous well-being. Products with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, in particular, are being investigated for their ability to optimize skin biology.

1. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)

NMN is the direct precursor of NAD⁺, a molecule that acts like a “power bank” for skin cells, driving DNA repair, energy metabolism and other vital processes. After UV-induced DNA damage, NMN can quickly restore intracellular NAD⁺ levels, accelerating repair and limiting photodamage. Because dermal NAD⁺ declines with age, NMN supplementation may re-energize senescent cells, thereby delaying aging, preserving elasticity and reducing wrinkle formation.

2. Glutathione

Often called the skin’s "whitening expert and antioxidant guard," glutathione inhibits tyrosinase, the key enzyme in melanin synthesis. Lower tyrosinase activity translates into less pigment, a brighter complexion and improved hyperpigmentation. Its potent radical-scavenging capacity also neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage skin structures and accelerate aging, helping the skin maintain a younger phenotype.

3. Vitamin C

Topical or oral vitamin C quenches UV-generated ROS, decreases UV-induced erythema and lipid peroxidation (RCTs show red-orange extract supplements lower relevant biomarkers), stimulates collagen synthesis and improves elasticity, hydration, radiance and wrinkle depth.

4. Collagen

Collagen peptides stimulate dermal fibroblasts to produce hyaluronic acid and elastic fibers, raising skin moisture and elasticity while reducing wrinkles. In a randomized controlled trial, post-menopausal women taking 5 g of collagen hydrolysate daily experienced a significant increase in skin elasticity.

5. Astaxanthin

This carotenoid lessens UV-induced erythema, curbs UV-provoked DNA damage, restores stratum-corneum water content, boosts elasticity and suppresses melanin synthesis, suggesting utility for melasma.

Overall, nutritional supplements show promise for photoprotection, anti-aging and the adjunctive management of inflammatory dermatoses such as atopic dermatitis, acne and psoriasis. High-quality, long-term clinical studies are still needed to define optimal dosing, target populations and safety profiles.

References

• [1] Reeves R, Luks E L. Oral Supplements and Dermatology: A Review. Dermatological Reviews, 2024, 5(4): e239.
• [2] Camillo L, Zavattaro E, Savoia P. Nicotinamide: A Multifaceted Molecule in Skin Health and Beyond. Medicina, 2025, 61(2): 254.
• [3] Gupta S. Glutathione in dermatology: A bright future or fading hype? Cosmoderma, 2025, 5.

by GSHWORLD

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