Nutricosmetics are nutritional supplements or functional foods formulated to
improve the skin’s health, structure and appearance from within. The term merges nutrition and cosmetics, reflecting the concept that true beauty begins inside the body, where nutrients and bioactive compounds influence the skin at a cellular level.
Unlike topical skincare, which acts on the skin’s surface, nutricosmetics deliver targeted nutrients, such as
vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants, that work from the inside out to promote collagen synthesis, protect against oxidative stress and maintain moisture balance.
Nutricosmetics are built on the principle of
dermonutrition, the understanding that skin health depends on internal biochemistry, not just external care. The skin, as the body’s largest organ, relies on a constant supply of nutrients delivered via the bloodstream.
These nutrients influence:
- Collagen and elastin production, improving firmness and elasticity
- Hyaluronic acid levels, enhancing hydration and plumpness
- Cellular protection, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation
- Skin barrier integrity, helping maintain smoothness and resilience
Many nutricosmetic formulations use phytochemicals, plant-derived compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids and organosulphides, known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and collagen-protective effects.
- Resveratrol (Red grapes) – protects collagen and stimulates the Sirtuin “youth protein.
- Curcumin (turmeric) – reduces UV-induced damage and inflammation
- Lycopene (tomatoes) – defends against oxidative stress and photoageing
- Catechins (green tea) – inhibit collagenase and elastase, preserving dermal structure
- Phytoestrogens (soya, flaxseed) – restore elasticity and hydration in postmenopausal skin
- Beta-glucans (oats, seaweed) – promote repair and skin immunity
These compounds collectively enhance the skin’s natural renewal processes while slowing the biochemical pathways that accelerate ageing, such as glycation and oxidative damage.
For skincare and wellness professionals, nutricosmetics offer a way to
bridge internal and external skin care. Integrating nutritional supplementation into treatment protocols supports more holistic, long-term results for clients.
Incorporating nutricosmetics into professional programmes allows practitioners to:
- Support topical skincare outcomes with nutritional reinforcement
- Address the metabolic and inflammatory roots of skin ageing
- Personalise recommendations based on client diet, lifestyle and goals
- Differentiate their services with an inside-out beauty approach
As the fields of nutritional dermatology and skin nutrition expand, nutricosmetics are becoming an essential part of modern beauty practice.
The growing evidence base for nutraceuticals and phytochemicals in skin health has redefined the beauty industry’s landscape. Clients are now seeking functional beauty solutions that work systemically, not just cosmetically.
Nutricosmetics represent this evolution — the merging of clinical nutrition, dermatology and cosmetic science to create truly holistic results. They embody a shift from “covering up” the signs of ageing to nourishing the skin at its root cause.
Nutricosmetics are the next step in professional skincare, evidence-based, bioactive and rooted in nature. By combining dietary phytochemicals with topical care, practitioners can unlock a deeper, more sustainable level of beauty and skin resilience.
When you feed the skin from within, every cell becomes a reflection of wellness, vitality and youthful radiance.
- Spiro, A., & Lockyer, S. (2018). Nutraceuticals and skin appearance: Is there any evidence to support this growing trend?. Nutrition Bulletin, 43(1), 10-45.
- Schagen SK, Zampeli VA, Makrantonaki E, Zouboulis CC. Discovering the link between nutrition and skin aging. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012 Jul 1;4(3):298-307
