Food Supplements for Beautiful Skin: Our Best Natural Active Ingredients

In theory, a varied diet covers your skin's needs. In practice, modern lifestyles complicate things: cooking methods that degrade vitamins, depleted soils, meals eaten on the go, restrictive diets.

There is also a biological reality: the skin is not a priority organ. When intake is insufficient, the body directs nutrients to vital functions first. Skin, hair and nails come last. This is precisely where targeted supplementation makes sense.

Certain signals can point you in the right direction:

• A dull complexion that persists despite rest

• Skin that feels dry or tight all year round

• A loss of bounce and elasticity

• Recurring blemishes, often following your cycle

• Slower healing than before

To meet these needs, MiYé has designed two targeted supplements: [MY] Skin & Hair Essentials to support skin beauty from within, and [MY] Bone, Skin & Joint Essentials to support skin health, bone density and joint integrity.

For women, skin lives to the rhythm of hormones. Estrogens support collagen production and skin hydration: as they decline in the run-up to menopause, skin often becomes thinner and drier.

Conversely, certain hormonal fluctuations stimulate sebum production and encourage breakouts, especially before your period. To learn more about this mechanism, read our article on the role of hormones in skin imperfections.

This is the strongest trio from both a regulatory and a scientific standpoint. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. These claims are officially authorized in Europe.

Antioxidants help the body cope with everyday stressors: pollution, UV rays, smoking, stress. All of these factors accelerate skin aging.

[MY] Skin & Hair Essentials combines antioxidants (vitamins C, E, zinc) and essential fatty acids to support skin beauty from within, with no phytohormones or suspected endocrine disruptors.

Lipids are the building blocks of the skin's protective film. Borage oil, rich in gamma-linolenic acid, is traditionally used for the comfort of dry skin. Omega-3s (small oily fish, rapeseed oil, walnuts) contribute to a balanced intake of essential fatty acids, which the body needs but cannot produce on its own.

Skin that constantly feels tight is often skin that lacks good lipids, from the inside as well as the outside.

Collagen is the skin's structural protein: it gives skin its firmness and density. Its natural production gradually declines from your thirties onwards. Did you know? Up to 30% of our collagen can be lost within the 5 years following menopause.

There are two complementary strategies to support collagen, and they work even better together: an in & out approach.

Internally (in), [MY] Bone, Skin & Joint Essentials combines native collagen from eggshell membrane (types I, V and X) with other targeted ingredients to support bone density, skin health and joint integrity. It is an alternative to conventional hydrolyzed marine collagen, with the advantage of supporting several systems at once.

Externally (out), pro-collagen acts directly on the skin to reactivate its own regeneration mechanisms, rather than supplying a ready-made protein. [MY] Pro-Collagen Unifying Balm thus reactivates the skin's collagen production while restoring its protective barrier.

Hyaluronic acid, naturally present in the skin, acts like a sponge that holds water in the tissues. Taken orally, it is also being studied for the comfort of dry skin. For collagen and hyaluronic acid, no European health claim has been validated to date.

This is one of the most dynamic areas of research: the gut-skin axis. An imbalanced gut microbiota could be reflected in the quality of your skin, notably through inflammation. Lactic ferments are being studied for their contribution to the balance of the intestinal flora.

To explore this fascinating connection, read our article on the link between microbiota and skin.

Dry skin does not have the same needs as blemish-prone skin. Before choosing, take a close look at your skin: is it lacking hydration, firmness, radiance? Do your skin concerns follow your cycle? This helps guide your choice of ingredients and avoids buying at random.

Check these criteria before buying:

• Naturally sourced active ingredients, with organic certification whenever supply chains allow

• A formula free from phytohormones and suspected endocrine disruptors

• Capsules ideally of plant origin

• A short ingredient list, with no unnecessary additives

A reputable brand should be able to justify the origin of its ingredients and the compliance of its formula with European regulations. Favor patented and clinically tested ingredients whose efficacy has been assessed at specific dosages. Explore our full range of food supplements and read the detailed product pages to compare ingredients, dosages and composition according to your specific needs.

An underdosed ingredient is of little value, even if it appears on the label. Bioavailability, meaning the body's ability to actually absorb a nutrient, matters as much as the stated dosage. For collagen, for example, the form matters: hydrolyzed collagen and eggshell membrane do not have the same composition, and their doses cannot be compared directly in grams.

Expert tip: unsure about your real needs? The free online MiYé hormonal profile test helps you identify imbalances that may be reflected in your skin.

The epidermis, the outer layer of the skin, renews itself in about 4 to 6 weeks. A program of at least 2 to 3 months is therefore needed to see visible results. Patience and consistency are your best allies.

Always follow the manufacturer's directions. As a general rule, taking them with a meal supports absorption, especially for fat-soluble ingredients such as vitamin E or fatty acids. Consistency matters more than timing: make it part of a daily ritual.

Some ingredients work in synergy: vitamin C naturally goes hand in hand with collagen, as it supports its formation. On the other hand, avoid combining several products containing the same vitamins or minerals, so as not to exceed recommended intakes. If you are taking any medication, ask your pharmacist for advice.

Inside and outside go hand in hand. Supplements nourish the skin in depth, while topical care protects and hydrates the surface. Pair your program with a suitable routine from our natural face care for a complete approach.

Skin is made up of about 70% water. Drinking regularly throughout the day, around 1.5 liters of water and unsweetened herbal teas, supports skin hydration from within. A simple habit that is often overlooked.

Your plate and your complexion are connected. Favor colorful vegetables rich in antioxidants, small oily fish, nuts and seeds, and fiber that nourishes the microbiota. Limit fast sugars and ultra-processed foods, which can sustain low-grade inflammation that is unfavorable to the skin.

Chronic stress raises cortisol, a hormone that can stimulate sebum production and weaken the skin barrier. Breathing exercises, cardiac coherence, a walk outdoors: a few minutes a day can be enough to set off a virtuous circle, visible all the way to your face. The skin's protective barrier also deserves attention: discover how to preserve your skin microbiome.

Skin regenerates most actively at night. Insufficient or poor-quality sleep quickly shows on the face: drawn features, dull complexion, dark circles. Aim for regular sleeping hours and a cool, dark bedroom to support this nighttime work.

Food supplements and topical care work better in synergy. To go further, add a gentle facial massage brush to your routine: it helps stimulate skin microcirculation and prepares the skin to receive your skincare.

For women going through a hormonal transition (perimenopause, menopause) or concerned about their joint health, also consider complementary joint support: [MY] Bone, Skin & Joint Essentials combines ingredients for bone density, skin health and structural integrity, a holistic supplement when several systems need support.

• Food supplements, ANSES (in French)

• Register of authorized health claims, EFSA

• Omega-3 fatty acids, ANSES (in French)

• Gut microbiota report, INSERM (in French)