Key Points
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With their health-promoting qualities, vitamins combat the aging process.
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Anti-aging supplements improve outward appearance by tightening the skin.
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Dermatologists recommend anti-aging supplements for skin, bones, hair, and nails.
Whether it's aching joints or the appearance of wrinkles, aging creeps up on everyone. With anti-aging supplements, rest easy knowing the aging process doesn't have to be so hard. There are so many supplements on the market that it's hard to know what works and what doesn't. Do your research before spending tens of thousands of dollars on products guaranteed to add "years to your life."
Not all anti-aging supplements are created equal. Different supplements help with arthritic pain, weight loss, joint support, and digestion. With this guide, get to know which vitamins and supplements are best for your unique situation. The right combination of nutrients and minerals is sure to kick signs of aging to the curb so you look and feel your best for years to come.
Anti-Aging Vitamins
Growing up, your mother told you to take your vitamins. The same sentiment rings true for adults. Vitamins are more than just pills to chew or swallow. They also work to combat the signs of aging.
Be diligent when shopping for supplements: Make sure you research the outlet from which you intend to buy before making a purchase. In the early 2020s, many supplement retailers have been accused of selling poor quality products that do not live up to the real thing.
Once you’ve done your homework, find the following anti-aging vitamins at your local health stores or online:
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that strengthens your immune system and protects skin cells from breaking down. Citrus fruits like oranges are rich in vitamin C. Eating citrus or drinking orange juice or citrus-based smoothies is a great natural way to benefit from vitamin C.
To ensure you get the full daily dose, take a vitamin C supplement. Many specialists recommend a time-release vitamin C to help your body make the most of it. Reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines with topical creams containing vitamin C, which encourages collagen production. Check out this Moon Juice Super Beauty Daily Antioxidant Skin Supplement from Sephora, which has both vitamins C and E to repair cellular skin damage.
Vitamin D
When those warm rays of sun hit your skin, your body creates vitamin D. The sun's ultraviolet B rays mix with a protein called 7-DHC, which is converted into vitamin D3 – the active form of vitamin D. Vitamin D allows for better calcium and phosphorus absorption, strengthening bones and keeping muscles limber.
Soaking up the sun, however, poses health risks. Taking a vitamin D supplement instead of absorbing the sun's harsh rays prevents the need for UV light exposure and lessens the risk of skin cancer.
Vitamin D deficiency is common in most adults over the age of 65. Bones naturally grow brittle and weaken with age, but a lack of vitamin D leads to bone diseases such as osteoporosis. A vitamin D supplement not only strengthens bones, it boosts your mood and improves cognitive function. Studies show that vitamin D increases serotonin levels, decreasing your risk of depression.
Vitamin E
Did you know most anti-aging creams contain vitamin E to combat pesky wrinkles? Vitamin E aids in collagen reproduction which keeps skin tight and stimulates hair and nail growth.
Get your daily dose of vitamin E and retain smooth, youthful skin with a topical solution, a pill, or by eating vitamin E-rich foods like fish, eggs, and broccoli.
Zinc
Take zinc as part of your daily diet to prevent aging. Zinc stimulates the production of collagen fibers and elastin, which support the natural structure of the skin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and heal any skin abnormalities. When applied as a topical solution, zinc also reduces inflammatory skin infections caused by rosacea and acne.
Anti-Aging Supplements Endorsed by Scientists
Scientists are always perfecting anti-aging supplements to ensure they provide balance and health. Anti-aging supplements fix damaged skin cells, replenish skin, boost immunity, and improve cognition.
The following supplements are scientist-approved to combat the signs of aging.
Co Q-10
Co Q-10 is an antioxidant that your body's cells use to grow and repair themselves. Eating a diet rich in healthy fats like avocados, oysters, fish, and fresh vegetables is a natural way to benefit from Co Q-10.
Co Q-10 levels naturally decrease as you age. Take Co Q-10 supplements to keep those levels up and support your skin's elasticity. HUM Mighty Night from Sephora contains Co Q-10 and aids with overnight cell renewal. Scientists see improvements in skin hydration, elasticity, and thickness when subjects take daily doses of Co Q-10 supplements.
Spirulina
Spirulina is a bluish-green algae used in anti-aging products. It's a superfood loaded with amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, and nutrients such as copper, thiamin, iron, and riboflavin, and is believed to promote gut health.
A healthy gut promotes healthy skin, so take spirulina supplements to fight free radicals and prevent skin damage and wrinkles. Acne sufferers use spirulina because of its antimicrobial and antioxidant components.
Make a DIY face mask by mixing one tablespoon of honey with half a teaspoon of spirulina extract and one teaspoon of evening primrose oil. Leave the mixture on the face for 10 to 15 minutes before washing it off. After this treatment, the skin feels clean, clear, and fresh.
Heliocare
According to scientists, Heliocare supplements prevent sun damage and restore skin cell DNA. Heliocare is formulated with antioxidants like vitamin E, vitamin C, and green tea extract, all excellent skin boosters. The main ingredient is the extract from the Polypodium leucotomos fern native to South and Central America, a savvy plant that developed its own sun-blocking techniques.
Viviscal
As you age, your hair grows thin and falls out. A diet lacking iron and zinc exacerbates the problem. Viviscal is a hair growth supplement that contains marine extracts and polysaccharides as well as zinc, iron, biotin, and niacin which enhance the thickness and texture of your hair.
Dermatologist-Approved Supplements
If you want to achieve a lasting youthful appearance and keep your skin supple, look into dermatologist-approved supplements that strengthen hair, nails, and skin.
Collagen
Collagen is rich in amino acids that contribute to the production of joint cartilage, enabling joint flexibility. It also encourages skin cells to adhere together more strongly, fortifying the skin while giving it elasticity.
You produce less collagen as you age, especially if you smoke or spend too much time in the sun. Taking collagen peptide supplements is one way to combat aging skin.
According to dermatologist Dr. Alexis Levingston Young, "People start producing less collagen in their 20s, but production decreases more after menopause. People who take collagen peptides hope they'll restore skin elasticity and a natural glow."
The HUM Collagen Love supplements from Sephora contain hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to effectively tighten skin. Collagen comes from beef and pork products, which means vegetarian supplements are not as readily available on the market; however, at the time of this writing, you are able to find non-meat collagen enhancers and boosters. And if you're vegetarian or vegan, eat collagen-rich foods like beans, nuts, and seeds.
Biotin
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, helps your body's enzymes break down fat, carbohydrates, and protein to use as energy. Biotin is often touted as a cure for hair loss, but this is dubious. Dermatologist Dr. Kaveri Karhade explains that there's a lot of misinformation about biotin: "While biotin is marketed frequently for hair, there are many more efficacious over-the-counter options."
It does, however, strengthen brittle nails and produce fatty acids that nourish the skin. Get biotin naturally from egg yolks, legumes, nuts, and seeds, or take a daily biotin supplement to keep your body's metabolic functions running smoothly.
Is Aging Reversible? Expert Advice From Dr. David Sinclair
Australian biologist Dr. David Sinclair is an advocate for anti-aging. He rose to prominence in the medical field with his book Lifespan: Why We Age and Why We Don't Have To, which explores healthy lifestyle changes. In a Tedx Talk from 2022, he explains that aging is more than just free radical damage. To combat it, you need to tap into your body's natural defense to slow the process:
"We have three main sets of defenses. One's called MTOR, which responds to fasting, and one is called AMPK, which responds to low energy and lack of sugar. You want to keep your blood sugars low as possible without fainting."
According to Dr. Sinclair, it's possible to “tweak” DNA to stave off the aging process. This tweaking is done through sirtuins – proteins responsible for regulating cell health – repairing damaged DNA, and suppressing inflammation.
As you age and your cells start to break down, sirtuins work harder to keep your body running normally. When sirtuins are infused with plant molecules called xenohormetins, they do their job more effectively and slow the aging process. Xenohormetins are protective compounds that activate when a plant is under stress. Armed with xenohormetins, sirtuins are better equipped to fight off environmental stressors and repair the cell damage that comes with aging.
Dr. Sinclair believes radical changes are on the rise for anti-aging: "We're at a turning point in human history. The 22nd century is going to be about biology, the ability to control your age, and the rate of aging; slow down not just body aging and heart aging, but even brain aging."
Finding Ways to Defy Age
You are sure to age gracefully if you care for your body from the inside out. Take vitamins rich in minerals and nutrients that prevent your bones and muscles from breaking down. Scientist and dermatologist-approved supplements strengthen hair, skin, and nails to give you a younger appearance.
Always do your research to find the right anti-aging supplement that works for your long-term health and sustainability. It's easy to look and feel your best for decades to come with the right anti-aging tools.
