Women around the world are increasing their use of nutricosmetics to protect their skin and improve their appearance.
A glowing complexion, vibrant hair and strong nails are downstream expressions of inner physiology … and women are seeking supplements that work from the inside out.
K-beauty leads nutricosmetics
Perhaps the most influential nutricosmetic concept is K-beauty, which largely promotes nourishing the inner body to improve appearance.
According to a Grand View Research report, K-beauty emphasises achieving naturally healthy and radiant skin rather than relying on heavy makeup coverage.
The “glass skin” trend reflects the consumer preference for clear, smooth and deeply hydrated skin.
K-Beauty’s impact on the nutricosmetic space is helping to redefine the concept of radiance, shifting it from a purely aesthetic approach to an “inside-out” philosophy wherein skincare, nutrition and wellness work harmoniously.
The focus is no longer on correcting a problem once it appears, but on consistently supporting skin health with multifunctional routines.
For example, Gen Z women in South Korea prioritise “skin barrier repair” over skin whitening by a 3-to-1 margin.
One distinct K-beauty concept being swiftly embraced by women globally is the emphasis on skin barrier health and inflammation management, which are primary contributors to radiance.
Two nutritional ingredients — vitamin B9 (active folate) and glutathione — have been shown to help achieve these goals.
A perfect pair for internal UV protection
Active folate: Vitamin B9, also known as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), is involved in the proliferation of fibroblasts (collagen-producing cells), leading to improved skin firmness and the reduced appearance of wrinkles.
Active folate acts as an internal defence system against environmental damage, particularly UV exposure, to maintain skin health.
Reducing the free radicals and inflammation generated by direct sun exposure protects the structure of the skin and its normalised regeneration.
One-carbon metabolism needs folate, which is essential for skin cell growth, repair and regeneration. However, solar radiation reduces skin folate levels, impairing these processes.
Low folate levels can speed up visible ageing by weakening DNA repair, slowing cellular turnover and increasing oxidative stress.
Folate can support healthier skin by fuelling DNA synthesis, cell division and methylation, which are crucial for skin regeneration and UV damage repair.
A recent trial suggests that active folate can support and protect healthy skin by helping to minimise damage to skin structure components.
In the to-be-published study, dermal fibroblasts were exposed to UVA irradiation mimicking sun exposure.
Cells were treated with active folate pre- and post-UVA irradiation. The researchers evaluated active folate’s bioavailability and uptake, protection against UVA-induced mitochondrial ROS and DNA damage, and fibroblast proliferation efficacy.
Results showed measurable, dose-dependent uptake of active folate by dermal fibroblasts, which remained stable for up to 48 hours, suggesting prolonged cellular repair.
Additionally, 5-MTHF provided significant protection against UVA-induced oxidative stress, slowing the production of cytosolic and mitochondrial ROS. Furthermore, 5-MTHF supplementation improved the viability of fibroblasts and DNA integrity.1
Previous studies have shown that active folate as Quatrefolic® protects dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced oxidative stress, enhances their proliferation, reduces DNA damage and supports collagen synthesis.
It has also been shown to boost DNA repair and synthesis, which is necessary for healthy skin cell production and turnover, antioxidant activity and enhanced collagen production.
Glutathione: Pairing active folate with glutathione enhances UVA damage protection. Glutathione, often called the master antioxidant, is a potent tripeptide antioxidant that helps to regenerate other antioxidants, sustaining the free radical-neutralising activity.
Additionally, glutathione impacts the melanin index, which, when balanced, contributes to a more even-toned and radiant complexion, improves skin barrier and moisture, and shows potential to thwart photoaging.
However, studies show conventional glutathione is not bioavailable; it breaks down during digestion, hindering its ability to deliver this benefit.
Instead, Gnosis by Lesaffre offers Emothion®, a patented crystalline form of S-acetyl-glutathione that’s clinically shown to outperform conventional glutathione.
A soon-to-be-published clinical study shows that Emothion enters the skin cells intact. Once inside, it converts to active glutathione, delivering superior antioxidant protection and detoxification benefits for healthier, more radiant skin.
More specifically, it promotes more evenly toned skin and improves skin barrier moisture by regulating TEWL (trans epidermal water loss). By retaining moisture, skin glow improves.
Nutricosmetics that blend both ingredients augment skin radiance. Quatrefolic protects against UVA damage, regenerates skin cells, stimulates fibroblast proliferation and accelerates skin DNA synthesis.
Emothion lightens skin tone, hydrates (improves moisture retention), reduces the oxidative stress that contributes to acne flare-ups and protects against photoaging.
What consumers want in nutricosmetics
By the nature of what they promise to deliver, nutricosmetics are aspirational, promising and positive, so the way these supplements are consumed makes a huge difference in product trials and potential loyalty.
Information from in-cosmetics global 2026 emphasises that format is more than a delivery mechanism; it is how the product becomes part of a consumer’s daily regimen.
Delivery forms that fit easily into routines will have higher compliance and a greater likelihood of repeat purchase.
And, according to FMCG Gurus, 86% of consumers globally would buy a product to support skin health.
The top four places where consumers are looking for skin-support benefits are bottled water, supplements, milk and juices/smoothies.
Imagine if your consumers were able to more precisely target their needs by knowing the state their skin is in.
Now they can with an app that determines skin quality and tracks improvements.
Dynamic skin insights at Vitafoods Asia
Gnosis by Lesaffre is launching an advanced and easy-to-use app to measure skin radiance, which will be a key attraction at Vitafoods Asia.
Visitors to Booth #H6-G01 can try out the Skin App and learn how to track their skin improvement. Here’s how it works: take a selfie and the app analyses skin glow, elasticity, pigmentation/dark spots and fine lines.
It then gives a score based on these parameters. This score can be tracked for improvements when supplementing with Emothion.
Women recognise the association between appearance and inner well-being and are learning to look at their skin as an indicator of health. They understand that ageing is inevitable, but they refuse to do it without grace and confidence.
Nutritional supplements that protect skin help to sustain that inner radiance and the balance they seek.
Reference
- S. Barbarossa, et al., “Feeding Skin Cellular Regeneration: The Importance of 1C Metabolism and the Potential of 5-MTHF,” Novel Approaches for Skin Health (pending publication).
Author Information
Silvia Pisoni, Customer Engagement and Integrated Marketing Director, Clarisse Geraci, Global Health Marketing Manager, and Stefania Sala, Global Health Marketing Manager, Gnosis by Lesaffre.
