Anti Aging Supplements: Best Vitamins & Pills On The Market

Sarah Ban, beauty editor, shares the 'why' and 'how' of collagen

Anti aging supplements

Oh, to be young again. While there are undoubtedly many things we don’t miss about our youth, we wouldn’t mind having that springy, plump, and wrinkle-free complexion back.

Although, just because we’re getting older, doesn’t mean we have to look it (or feel it, for that matter).

Luckily, there’s been a resurgence of anti aging skin care products to help us reclaim our youthful glow, without having to go back in time. But, no matter how effective topical treatments are, they can only go so far when it comes to restoring that natural sparkle from when we were younger.

At the end of the day, what we put into our bodies has a huge influence on our appearance and health. Now more than ever, we turn to supplements to help us take the next step in our quest for longevity.

To help you along your journey, we’ve come up with a list of the best anti aging supplements that are full of anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and age-reversing benefits for both the skin and body.

 

Top 11 Best Anti Aging Supplements On The Market

 

1. Curcumin

 

This vibrant nutrient has become increasingly popular in the last couple of years as one of the most powerful anti-aging supplements. Curcumin, which comes from the turmeric root, works by providing all kinds of beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to the cells in our dermis and throughout our body.

Curcumin may help our defenses against age-related things like disease, infection, joint pain, damage from free radicals, and even cancer. And, the antioxidants have been scientifically proven to extend longevity. Research on fruit flies showed that the consumption of curcumin was correlated with a longer lifespan.1,2

When it comes to our skin, not only can the antioxidants in curcumin protect our dermis from oxidative stress, but they can also help reduce acne breakouts, calm eczema and psoriasis, and help fade hyperpigmentation. We especially love curcumin because it can give a boost to the production of anti-aging proteins, which can minimize the appearance of wrinkles, giving you a younger-looking complexion.3

 

More helpful reading: 

 

How To Get More Curcumin

 

Whether it’s in the form of a foamy golden milk latte or rich yellow curry, adding a dash of turmeric to your favorite foods or including a curcumin supplement into your morning routine is a great way to get the anti-aging benefits from this root.

Anti aging supplements curcumin

 

2. EGCG

 

EGCG is a much shorter way of referring to the naturally-found polyphenol, epigallocatechin gallate. It’s one of the most studied age-fighting molecules and certainly can be considered one of the best anti aging vitamins due to its high antioxidant content. These antioxidants help protect our bodies from the aging process and cellular damage caused by free radicals.4

 

How To Get More EGCG

 

While EGCG supplements for aging skin are widely available, this polyphenol can also be found in one popular drink: green tea.

Green tea is such an incredible source of this anti-aging nutrient that it has been scientifically proven to have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. It also has been linked to improved metabolic and cardiovascular health (think diabetes and heart disease).5

Unfortunately, to get all of the benefits of green tea without drinking the recommended 5 to 6 cups per day, you might want to consider the powerful Masquelier’s French Pine Bark Extract supplement.

This is hands-down one of the best anti aging supplements for skin health because it combines a mix of antioxidants (flavonols and polyphenols) to protect our skin’s collagen fibers from free-radical damage and helps us maintain healthy collagen levels in our face and throughout our body.

By giving a huge boost to our natural collagen levels, French Pine Bark is able to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and improve skin suppleness. This supplement doesn’t just work hard on improving your dermis, it also has overall benefits to your well-being including the ability to strengthen blood vessels (to enhance circulation), improve eye health, minimize varicose veins and heavy legs, and reinforce the immune system.

 

More helpful reading on the best essential oils for skin.

 

3. Coenzyme Q10

 

Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is an antioxidant that has been shown to improve all kinds of conditions like blood pressure, heart disease, migraines, and the development of Parkinson’s disease. But, one of the biggest reasons why CoQ10 is one of the best supplements for anti aging is because of its undeniable skin benefits.

What makes CoQ10 so special is its ability to prevent the breakdown of structural proteins. As you get older, your skin cells eventually stop almost all energy production in their mitochondria. Scientists believe that when the cells stop using their mitochondria for energy, the cells start to break down, which is when we see typical signs of skin aging.6,7

CoQ10 supplements may help boost energy production in our cells’ mitochondria so that they can continue to support our skin cells. This little molecule also stops the breakdown of collagen throughout the body and enhances the collagen in your dermis by working with your DNA to turn certain genes on and off.7

Studies have shown that CoQ10 is one of the best supplements for skin anti aging because it can help improve elasticity, density, and hydration in the dermis to improve the look of existing wrinkles.7

 

How To Get More CoQ10

 

Not only can CoQ10 be taken in pill form, but topical creams containing this antioxidant can also have skin benefits, such as protecting against free radical damage and decreasing inflammation caused by sun exposure. CoQ10 skincare products can also diminish dark spots and help even skin tone for a more youthful appearance.8

 

4. Resveratrol

 

A glass of wine a day may keep the wrinkles away. You may already have some of this anti-aging supplement in your house and not even know it.

Resveratrol is a polyphenol compound found in berries, dark chocolate, certain nuts, and — you guessed it — red wine. Research has shown that resveratrol vitamins may protect our skin from damage caused by free radicals, support brain health, provide cardiovascular support, and promote healthy skin.9

 

Find out more about the benefits of eating dark chocolate here:

https://www.renewskinco.com/blogs/i/why-eating-dark-chocolate-is-a-good-thing

 

How To Get More Resveratrol (Skincare)

 

But, this potent antioxidant doesn’t have to be consumed in order to have a noticeable impact on your skin health. It's easy to find resveratrol in beauty products like eye creams and facial serums due to the compound’s anti-aging properties. Skin care products with resveratrol can help prevent UV damage and skin damage from pollutants, as well as slow the aging process by promoting the growth of essential proteins in our skin.10

Anti aging supplements wine

 

5. Vitamin E

 

If you live in a big city that’s both sunny and polluted (like Los Angeles, for example) you’ll want to make sure you’re getting plenty of vitamin E in your life. Why? Vitamin E contains 8 tocopherols which are antioxidant compounds that can fight free radicals in the body and on the skin.11

While vitamin E supplements may help defend our skin from free radicals and age-related changes, it’s also known for its ability to improve brain health in the long-term.12

 

How To Get More Vitamin E

 

Not sure where you can find vitamin E? This essential nutrient is available in pill form and can be found in certain vegetables, meats, and oils. You should be getting around 15mg of vitamin E per day.

If you’re not sure how much vitamin E you’re getting, the Food and Drug Administration now requires many packaged foods to include vitamin E content on their labels to make it easier to calculate your daily consumption of this vitamin.13

Additionally, if you want to give your complexion a boost, the antioxidants in vitamin E skincare products can be applied topically to treat skin damage.

 

More helpful reading: Best facial cleanser

 

6. Vitamin B12

 

As we get older, we start to lose the ability to absorb certain vitamins and minerals — and B12 is one of those vitamins. Our bodies rely on vitamin B12 because it helps us produce red blood cells. These red blood cells don’t just support our nervous system and brain health, they also keep our skin looking young and healthy.14

 

How To Get More Vitamin B12

 

We get this b vitamin primarily from meat, dairy, and fish. If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, your doctor will most likely encourage you to supplement with B12. Whether or not you have received this medical advice, it’s important to never be deficient in this vitamin. B12 deficiency can affect both our brain health and our skin, causing things like dementia, depression, hyperpigmentation, cutaneous lesions, and vitiligo.15,16

 

7. Vitamin D

 

Have you soaked up your daily dose of this nutrient today? Vitamin D is one of the few supplements that we get from the sun. And, although we’re big proponents of limiting sun exposure to slow the aging process from UV rays and free radicals, a small dose of sunshine can actually be beneficial.

What vitamin D does best is help us maintain healthy levels of calcium and phosphate throughout the body. This means vitamin D directly influences our muscle, tissue, and bone health.

But that’s not all. Vitamin D also protects the dermis from environmental factors, encourages the turnover of skin cells, and decreases inflammation.17

 

How To Get More Vitamin D

 

Unfortunately, to fully absorb vitamin D from the sun, you need to make sure to expose your skin to UV rays without a protective layer of sunscreen. Why? Sunscreen blocks your dermis from the sun’s rays, hindering your absorption of vitamin D.

On the bright side, you’ll only need about 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight per week in order to maintain sufficient levels of vitamin D. So, whether you’re at the beach or on the balcony of your New York City apartment, you can always keep your vitamin D levels within a healthy range.18

 

Learn how to protect your skin and prevent wrinkles and skin aging here:

https://www.renewskinco.com/blogs/i/uv-rays-sun-damage-antioxidants-protection

Anti aging supplements vitamin d

 

8. Zinc

 

While zinc won’t necessarily erase damage from years past like some of the other supplements on this list, this trace mineral is essential when it comes to how you function as you age.

It is well-known to improve immune function, so supplementing with it can help prevent certain chronic, age-related illnesses and diseases. Not to mention that a properly functioning immune system can mean serious benefits for your skin (like the ability to ward off infections and cancers).

Although zinc isn’t an antioxidant per se, it can act like one. Similar to an antioxidant, zinc can reduce oxidative stress and provide anti-inflammatory properties to your body and skin.19,20

 

How To Get More Zinc

 

The best food source of this mineral are oysters, which contain 74mg of zinc per serving. But, if your doctor believes you have a zinc deficiency and shellfish aren’t your thing, there are plenty of zinc supplements on the market to help keep your immune system running smoothly.21

 

9. Fish Oil

 

There’s nothing fishy about the benefits of omega-3. Fish oil is one of the best anti-aging supplements to include in your life because it is filled with health-supporting properties for your heart, brain, bones, eyes, liver, and dermis.22

Fish oil can do practically everything — from reducing inflammation to improving brain function. Even the Food and Drug Administration recognizes that the EPA and DHA found in fish oil supplements may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension.23

But, despite this medical advice, we love this anti-aging supplement because it can help maintain and restore healthy-looking skin. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in high amounts in the dermis and omega-3s help control the amount of oil that our dermis produces.

And, when the amount of oil in our dermis is balanced, we experience numerous benefits like even hydration, fewer breakouts, and a decrease in age-related skin problems like fine lines and wrinkles.24

 

Read more about the benefits of marine collagen here.

 

How To Get More Fish Oil

 

While you can find fish oil vitamins (like cod liver oil) for antiaging, it’s always better to get your nutrients from food sources. Harvard Health recommends eating 2 servings of fatty fish per week at the very least to access the full benefits of omega-3 fatty acids.25

 

10. Vitamin C

 

Did you know that a mimosa at brunch may help your skin’s longevity? Ok, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is essential for radiant skin. Some people may even consider vitamin C to be the best anti aging supplement for women who want to keep wrinkles at bay because of its ability to help support collagen production within the dermis.26

The antioxidants in vitamin C supplements use their superpowers to slow the aging process by fighting free radicals from sun exposure and pollution, lightening hyperpigmentation and age spots, and healing wounds.27

 

Find out more about vitamin C skincare here.

 

How To Get More Vitamin C

 

Although this powerful antioxidant is abundant in a wide variety of foods and supplements, one of the best anti aging pills collagen supplement that contains vitamin C is our Taut Bright Bye-Bye Dark Spots. The proprietary formula pairs vitamin C with other powerful antioxidants and active ingredients (L-glutathione, L-cysteine, olive leaf extract, grape seed extract, and alpha-lipoic acid) to target age spots, uneven skin tone, and hyperpigmentation. These antioxidants also minimize cellular damage and stimulate the production of collagen within the dermis.

Unlike topical vitamin C serums and creams that only treat imperfections temporarily, this supplement addresses the root cause of skin damage by working from the inside-out.

 

11. Collagen

 

The last anti aging supplement on our list (but certainly not least) is collagen. If you've searched for anti-aging solutions at any point in the last few years, you've likely come across some sort of collagen product promising smoother, firmer skin.

Like kale was the powerhouse health staple in the early 2000s, collagen is the new "it" ingredient — particularly in the skincare world.

That's because collagen is to skin like calcium is to your bones or vitamin C is to your immunity. Why? A whopping 75 to 80% of our dermis is made up of this essential protein and it lays the groundwork for youthful, uplifted, firm, and bouncy skin.

But here’s the thing — consuming any food source or supplement containing this protein won’t bestow results you can both see and feel. People are flocking towards bone broth and powders without considering one crucial factor: collagen’s ability to actually reach the dermis and affect visible change once it’s consumed.

You see, the molecules in their natural state are too large to be digested and absorbed — and they’re certainly not getting to the skin. In simple terms, your body can’t deliver regular collagen to the places it needs to be.

What you need to look for is a very specific type of formula with excellent bioavailability, that is actually able to enter the circulatory system, so it can effectively work its magic against the aging process.

 

What Collagen Does & Why You Need It!

 

Although your skin appears to be a single protective layer that covers your body, it may help to zoom in microscopically to understand why collagen is paramount for healthy skin. In general, your skin comprises of three layers: 

  • Epidermis — The uppermost layer you can see with your naked eye.
  • Dermis —  The middle layer containing elastin and collagen, connective tissue, and nerves, as well as hyaluronic acid (another imperative structural substance that can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water).
  • Hypodermis — The bottom layer that’s made up of subcutaneous fat.

In the dermis, collagen exists in abundance. In fact, it’s made up of 85% Type I and 15% Type III collagen. It’s what allows your skin to maintain its elasticity, youthful resilience, plumpness, and strength.

Anti aging supplements skin

 

In short, collagen is what’s responsible for holding your dermis together. Given its sheer presence in the skin, you can only imagine what happens once collagen deteriorates (hint: sagging, wrinkling, and crepiness).

Most experts estimate that even as early as 20 years old, we begin producing 1-2% less collagen each year as we get older. By the time we’re 50, we experience up to a 40% decrease in this protein — which is why loose, wrinkly skin is a lot more apparent.

And, you don’t lose collagen simply because you’re getting older and wiser. Your lifestyle choices can also deplete the production of this protein, namely consuming a lot of sugar, smoking, and overexposure to UV rays.

So, it goes without saying that a healthy lifestyle is equally important to skincare when it comes to keeping your complexion healthy and beautiful!

 

More helpful reading by RenewSkin Inc.: How to get collagen

 

Replenish Your Skin With Effective Anti-Aging Supplements & What Happens Once Collagen Gets Into Your Dermis

 

The good news is that the benefits of collagen aren’t mere hype — there are new advancements that allow you to digest and absorb it efficiently enough to prompt collagen production in your dermis. In case you are interested, you can read more about the best ways to buy collagen supplements that actually work for your skin.

You don’t need to be a doctor or an expert by any means to understand Taut®’s breakthrough technology. Originally invented by Japanese scientists, the formula allows collagen to get absorbed by the intestinal barrier and into the bloodstream. The resulting amino acids are then distributed throughout the body, including the dermis. It’s been shown that it can stay in your dermis for up to two weeks.28

When your body recognizes the high concentration of collagen in your bloodstream, it triggers a wound repair response and activates a group of specialized cells called fibroblasts to begin producing more collagen.29

The key to this patented technology is the breakdown of large collagen molecules into smaller, low-molecular-weight collagen peptides — a process called hydrolysis. (For comparison, a regular collagen molecule is about 300,000 Daltons, or atomic mass units, while Taut’s is about 5,000 Daltons.)

     

    More helpful reading:

    https://www.renewskinco.com/blogs/i/hydrolyzed-collagen-vs-amino-acids-which-works-better 

       

      Science Backs Up (The Right Kind Of) Anti-Aging Supplements

       

      When your friend swears by an anti-aging supplement for her newly radiant skin, it can be tempting to try it for yourself. But if you’re still hesitant, it may help that science substantiates those claims too! There are plenty of experts who doubt that sipping on bone broth will deliver benefits directly to the dermis.

      What they might not know is there is mounting evidence, from human and animal studies, which shows that supplementing with a hydrolyzed version of collagen (particularly when derived from fish) can have skin benefits.

      In animal studies published in the Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, researchers demonstrated that fish-scale collagen effectively entered the epidermis and dermis and was able to considerably improve moisture and elasticity by rapidly increasing the synthesis of more collagen and turning on fibroblasts.30

      In some human research featured in the International Research Journal of Pharmacy, scientists concluded that collagen, when derived from fish, possessed higher bioavailability and digestibility relative to other sources of this protein.31

      Can’t get enough of anti-aging research? Put on your lab coat and head on over to our Clinical Studies page. There you’ll find more evidence-based health information, scientific human and animal studies, and the latest research on all things skin.

       

      Where It Is Sourced From & Which Are Best (Anti Aging Dietary Supplements For Beauty)

       

      Sources Of Collagen

       

      The collagen in supplements that reverse aging comes from animal sources. Specifically, the dermis, muscles, and bones of cows, pigs, and chickens; and the whites and shells of eggs.

      But, the highest-performing type of collagen for beautiful skin is sourced from the bones, skin, fins, and scales of fish.

       

      Why Marine Sources Are Best

       

      Why do fish sources reign supreme? Here are some of the top reasons:

      1. Thanks to the smaller particle size, these sources have been proven to deliver superior bioavailability. In fact, it is absorbed up to one-and-a-half times more efficiently compared to other sources.

      2. Fish sources are full of Type I collagen, which is known as the foundation for healthy skin.

      3. The essential proteins in your dermis are largely composed of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. Fish sources are rich in all three — a complete collagen chain (peptides) in the ideal amounts, composition, and ratios. Their presence in the blood signals skin cell stimulation and the production of more collagen. 

       

      At What Age Should You Start Taking Collagen Anti-Aging Supplements For Wrinkles & How Much?

       

      When you’re considering how much and for how long to take these supplements, it’s helpful to reference clinical studies, which had subjects take 10,000mg of collagen every day for an eight-week period. What they found was a visible reduction in the appearance of wrinkles,  thereby showing that consuming a mega-concentrated amount of fish-sourced (marine) hydrolyzed collagen is ideal for boosting the health and wellness of your skin — especially if you’re already seeing some fine lines or visible sagging and deep wrinkles. One bottle of Taut® Premium Drink every day for 4-8 weeks will get the job done.

      So, what if you’re not seeing any wrinkles yet? It’s never too early! If you’re in your 30s (when levels of collagen begin steadily dipping, regardless of your lifestyle) or taking collagen simply for maintenance, you’ll want to take between 5,000 to 7,000mg per day.

      Finally, similar to using anti aging vitamins for premature aging, you can take these supplements as a preventative measure against age-related skin changes. Even if your skin is still healthy and in good shape, you can still benefit from supplementing with less than 5000mg of collagen per day. So, if you are a woman in your 20s, you can incorporate these supplements into your life to delay the onset of wrinkles and other signs of aging.

      Anti aging supplements collagen

       

      My Personal Favorite Supplement for Skin: Taut Premium Collagen Replenishment Formula

       

      Already popular and featured in many leading beauty magazines, Taut® Premium Collagen Drink checks off all the criteria for what makes a premium effective supplement. You simply drink one bottle on an empty stomach each day to flood your body with 13,000 mg of 90% Type I and 10% Type III marine hydrolyzed collagen (for reference, this is a whopping two to six times more than other brands).

      On top of that, instead of offering only amino acids (remember, these are what these proteins are made of), Taut’s hydrolyzed formula is able to deliver a high concentration of small peptides into the dermis to trigger the production of more essential proteins. Due to the concentration of this protein, your body quickly activates fibroblasts as a response and starts to repair and produce collagen in the dermis.

      Taut® Premium Drink is also boosted by other key ingredients that are vital for healthy skin, including hyaluronic acid to deeply nourish and hydrate skin, vitamin C to support protein formation, elastin to support skin elasticity, grape seed extract for skin cell support and protection, and ceramides to maintain optimal moisture.

      Imagine getting all the nutrients your skin craves in one liquid shot — that’s what this is. Best of all, the fish collagen is sourced from Wild Red Snapper, the formula does not contain any preservatives, and each bottle is sweetened with stevia!

      This tasty orange-flavored liquid supplement is easy to stomach and offers more than a 90% absorption rate — and most importantly, you may be able to see results after just a few days. Your skin will feel more hydrated, smooth, supple, and luminous.

      As for fine lines and wrinkles? Just keep taking it for four to eight weeks and you’ll watch them soften up. You have to see it to believe it!

       

      Collagen isn’t just a momentary trend, after all. If you get the right kind of collagen supplement, you’ll be the next person to sing its praises. Remember, it's never too late or too early to start supplementing your skin with this essential protein. Turn back your clock, and preserve your youthful beauty.

       

      Learn more about Renewskin Co anti aging supplements here: 

       

      References

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      12. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/dont-buy-into-brain-health-supplements#:~:text=Vitamin%20E%20is%20an%20antioxidant,to%20have%20any%20possible%20benefit.
      13. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/
      14. https://www.invigormedical.com/anti-aging/are-b12-injections-the-missing-link-for-your-anti-aging-fight/
      15. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/06/well/mind/vitamin-b12-as-protection-for-the-aging-brain.html
      16. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2294086/#:~:text=Skin%20lesions%20associated%20with%20vitamin,cause%20of%20vitamin%20B12%20deficiency.
      17. https://www.byrdie.com/vitamin-d-for-skin-4783626
      18. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/#:~:text=Vitamin%20D%20helps%20regulate%20the,condition%20called%20osteomalacia%20in%20adults.
      19. https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/130/5/1447S/4686411?key=c3190e3e92a67dd5b7981cba4af64e61f0a38dc1&key type 2=tf_ipsecsha
      20. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0946672X14001503
      21. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/#:~:text=Oysters%20contain%20more%20zinc%20per,products%20%5B2%2C11%5D.
      22. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-benefits-of-fish-oil#TOC_TITLE_HDR_12
      23. https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-announces-new-qualified-health-claims-epa-and-dha-omega-3-consumption-and-risk-hypertension-and
      24. https://www.aveeno.com/skin-mind-balance/breaking-down-omega-3-benefits-skin#:~:text=Omega%2D3%20fatty%20acids%20are,effect%20on%20irritation%20and%20dermatitis.
      25. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/should-you-be-taking-an-omega-3-supplement
      26. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/
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      31. http://www.irjponline.com/admin/php/uploads/vol-2_issue-10/25.pdf 

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