Supplements for sensitive skin are out there!
When looking to make supplement recommendations to clients there is always a great cheat for esties, and that is to FIRST associate the skin type with what you would use topically. A lot of things that we add to topical skincare are actually ingredients from nutraceuticals that have been added to a wash, serum or cream suspension. When we’re looking at something like sensitive skin, our goal is to support the skin’s barrier function. Things you might see in a topical application for sensitive skin might include omegas, hyaluronic acid, l-lysine, and niacinamide. Let’s take a look at how these ingredients used internally as supplements will support clients with skin sensitivities.
1 Omega 3-6-9 Fatty Acids
Keep the skin strong and healthy by supporting barrier function. Omegas are also anti-inflammatory and every cell in your body has a lipid barrier around it made from Omega 3-6-9 fatty acids. Therefore we want the “good” oils in our diet and we should be consuming coconut oil, olive oil, fish, nuts, and avocados rather than rancid fats from canola oil, soy/veggie oil, meat, and dairy. Increasing these oil sources in the diet and taking out the “bad” will support skin’s barrier function as well as gut and brain health. To make sure you’re getting the right stuff, it’s easiest to add a high quality balanced omega 3-6-9 to your diet. I recommend Skin Naturopathics Omega Skin 3-6-9. It’s tested for heavy metals and contaminants, plus it’s the proper ratio of 3’s, 6’s and 9’s.
Hale & Hush
Incredible Enzymes Can Go Beyond Sensitive Skin
We’re obsessed with this enzyme! It can be a staple on your back bar for virtually every client. A great treatment for sensitive skin all by itself. You can go beyond sensitive skin with this product. Incredible Enzymes is a cult-favorite botanical enzyme and is a great go-to for acneic clients, mature clients and congested skin!
2 Niacinamide/Vitamin B3
Supports the production of ceramides and elastin which are vital components of skin barrier function. This vitamin also strengthens the skin’s natural protective shield which is why you see it in so many topical skincare formulas. This supplement can be easily picked up at any health food store.
3 Hyaluronic Acid
Yes, you know this! HLA “attracts and binds to water molecules and increases the water content of the skin by absorbing 1,000 times its weight in water”. Imagine how powerful an ingredient like this is in the body. In our body tissues, HLA almost acts as a lubricant. It helps to support joints and the gut AND of course is amazing for the skin. This one may be a little trickier to find at the store but Pure Encapsulations makes this a stand-alone supplement that you can get online or from a wellness practitioner.
4 L-Lysine
This is what I refer to as the “skin repair amino acid”. In my practice, I recommend this to people who have chronic chapped lips, herpes, and really any skin issue where the skin needs to “heal”. L-Lysine is very easy to find on the shelf at a grocery store and plays an important role in the formation of collagen. Which brings us to our next and last recommendation….
Contribution by Diana M Drake
“I began as an esthetician and was inundated with clients who experience acne, eczema and perioral dermatitis. Even with cleaning up their diet and using high quality skincare products, I quickly learned that there was so much more to the skin that I needed to understand. I embarked on becoming a Naturopath in order to better serve my clients and the community. After practicing for several years and specializing in skin conditions, I have created an easy to use system for both consumers and practitioners. Simply follow my baseline 3-step protocol and customize it to your specific needs by stacking additional products to support your imbalances”.
Skin Naturopathics was created by Diana M Drake, Board Certified Naturopath and medical esthetician in collaboration with Master Herbalist Steven Horne. The goal of the line is to balance skin conditions at the root cause, in a holistic and natural manner and there is nothing else like this on the market today. The kits are assembled in an easy to use, step by step process that can be utilized directly by end users, dermatologists, estheticians and wellness professionals. If you are suffering from an inflammatory skin condition and have tried topical solutions or prescription drugs that don’t have lasting effects then this is the system for you!
5 Collagen
Our skin, bones, cartilage, hair, and nails are supported by a matrix of collagen. In fact, it’s in almost ALL of our tissues. Which means we need it IN our bodies! When it comes to collagen, not all are created equal. I recommend the Collagen Renew by Skin Naturopathics because it is made from organic chicken and is guaranteed to contain 10% Hyaluronic acid so you get two birds with one stone with that supplement. Remember to always pair collagen supplements with Vitamin C to support the suspension of the collagen matrix in the skin.
Using these supplements alongside topical non-toxic skincare products will support your clients’ sensitive skin. You can also recommend that they remove chemicals from their home, makeup, and water supply to reduce the toxic burden in the body that leads to chemical sensitivity.
