Better skin starts from within: zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, vitamin C supports normal collagen formation, and omega 3 helps keep the skin barrier in good condition. Collagen itself carries no recognised health claim, but the vitamin C often added to it does. Here's what genuinely contributes to your skin, and what's mostly marketing.
What officially contributes to normal skin?
A handful of nutrients have a function recognised at European level for the skin. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, nails and skin. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin. These two claims form the basis of almost every "beauty supplement" you'll find on a shelf, even if it isn't always presented that clearly.
Zinc: a versatile base
Nature Avenue's Zinc supplement provides 22.5mg of zinc gluconate per daily dose, 225% of the reference intake. Beyond its contribution to normal skin, zinc also contributes to the normal function of the immune system and helps protect cells from oxidative stress. That makes it a simple base option for anyone wanting to support their skin, hair and nails together.
Collagen: what it can promise, and what it can't
Collagen itself has no recognised health claim in Europe. The benefits you read about on collagen product pages therefore rest on the nutrients added to it, such as vitamin C, rather than on collagen itself. Nature Avenue's Collagen Booster combines marine collagen with vitamin C, among other nutrients, for anyone who still wants to include it in their routine.
Omega 3: support for the skin barrier
Nature Avenue's Omega 3 provides 700mg of EPA and 500mg of DHA per daily dose. These fatty acids help support the skin barrier, which can limit moisture loss through the skin, and contribute to keeping skin cells healthy and supple. For the officially recognised heart function claim, the threshold is 250mg of combined EPA and DHA a day, well below what this supplement provides.
How do you best combine these nutrients?
Zinc and vitamin C together form a logical base for anyone wanting to support their skin from within, complemented by omega 3 for the skin barrier. Our article on hair loss also covers the role of zinc and biotin for hair and skin together, if that's another area you're looking into. A varied diet with enough vegetables, fruit and healthy fats remains the foundation, with supplements filling in where needed.
What else can you do yourself?
Beyond diet, drinking enough water, getting enough sleep, and protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure all play a role in how your skin looks. Smoking has been shown to speed up skin ageing, while stress can also affect the skin barrier. A supplement works best alongside these habits, not as a replacement for them.
It's also worth remembering that skin is the body's largest organ and constantly renews itself, so patience is part of the process. Most people only notice a difference after several weeks to months of regular use, much as with hair and nails.
In short, zinc and vitamin C are the two nutrients with an officially recognised function for your skin, complemented by omega 3 for the skin barrier. Collagen itself carries no recognised claim, and its benefits rest on the nutrients that come with it. A varied diet and healthy habits remain the first step.
Food supplement. Not to be used as a substitute for a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle.
