It goes by many names yet is not well understood: Edible beauty. Beauty from within. Skingestibles. Call it what you will, but the goal of products associated with these terms is to supply the body with nutrients that will protect skin, nourish and restore hair, and toughen fingernails. Nutrients up to the task range from familiar vitamins C and E to collagen protein from animal and fish bones, and various roots, herbs and even medicinal mushrooms.
Edible beauty products are multiplying, thanks to keen interest in battling sun damage on faces and skin and protecting them from future degradation, in staving off signs of aging, and in keeping bones and joints strong and supple. They can also offer relaxation and sleep benefits, good bugs for gut health, and energy balancing, all of which contribute to glowing skin and a healthy body. How do they do it all? And, do they taste good?
Gummies
Many beauty-enhancing foods are actually supplements in gummy formats. Sundown Naturals Biotin Gummies support skin, nails, bone health and immunity. They come in raspberry, orange, grape and cherry flavors, making for a tasty shot of vitamin B7 (aka, biotin). Grapefruit Glam–flavored Olly Undeniable Beauty multivitamin gummies provide biotin plus vitamins C and E, which help the body produce collagen.
Another Olly product that touts “beauty from the inside out” is Vibrant Skin in Plump Berry flavor; it taps the powers of hyaluronic acid, collagen and sea buckthorn, a tart berry high in vitamin C that also promotes collagen production. Hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin and is typically found in face moisturizers and serums.
Powders & Bars
As for collagen, many food-like products serve up hefty doses of bone-derived collagen for those seeking joint support, as well as healthier skin and nails. Ancient Nutrition has bone-broth collagen and multi-collagen protein powders that can be added to smoothies for a regular beauty boost. The Bulletproof Collagen Protein Bar is made from cashew butter, grass-fed collagen and other good fats for satiety, plus flavorings like chocolate-chip cookie dough, upping the yum factor for edible beauty bites.
Beverages
Beauty beverages are also available. Vital Proteins Collagen Water, in a host of fruity flavors like Blueberry Mint and Blackberry Hibiscus, offers 10 grams of bovine collagen per serving. Medlie Glow Veggie Shot with Collagen refreshes and beautifies with cucumber, lemon and celery, blended with collagen protein, all in a 2-ounce shot.
Novelties
Supportive collagen is also turning up in oatmeal cups from Purely Elizabeth and in a novel frozen dessert, Radiant Beauty Ice Cream, made from a blend of nut and oat milks, plus collagen and keratin. Thanks to flavors like Earl Grey Dark Chocolate and Oatmeal Almond Crunch, anybody will be willing to sample a spoonful of this edible beauty.