Even the fairest among us have fallen victims to the cruel hand of break outs this year.
As if it wasn’t bad enough that our social calendars have become casualties of the pandemic, our skin had to follow suit too.
The remedies to what has been dubbed as ‘maskne’ have been extolled at large. Between flooding your breakouts in salicylic acid and switching to a silk face mask, there may be a silver lining for our skin in the form of certain skin-focussed supplements.
“While maskne is caused by physical abrasion, that is to say, the detrimental effects that a mask can have on the epidermal barrier, it can be lessened with internal balance,” says Dr. Yannis Alexandrides, the founder of celebrity-favourite 111Skin. “If the gut is nourished and healthy then the skin will be able to effectively repair itself”.
Dr. Alexandrides recommends supplements that “balance the microbiome in the gut in order to facilitate a strong microbiome on the skin", a view similarly shared by Andrea Pfeffer, the founder of cult London salon Pfeffer Sal.
“A daily probiotic is also a fantastic supplement to incorporate as a healthy gut is integral to healthy skin," Pfeffer adds. “Probiotics have been shown to defend against pathogens, improve nutrient absorption and support our immune system. The healthier your insides, the better your skin will behave.”
To help reduce maskne breakouts, Pfeffer recommends zinc “as it regulates sebum production, helping to reduce excess oil which can lead to breakouts.” British supplement brand Wild Nutrition’s founder Henrietta Norton advises searching for products that combine both zinc and selenium in order to help combat any breakouts born from mask-wearing.
“Zinc and selenium are excellent skin nourishing and repairing minerals, but the body also has an increased requirement to support the immune system,” says Norton. “If your reserves are low, the body will cleverly prioritise your remaining zinc and selenium so that immune cells can, say, fight a virus. This is at the expense of your skin health.”
111Skin Reparative Beauty Dose Supplements
Bursting with vitamins A, C and E, 111Skin’s supplements are expensive but can you really put a price on glowing skin?
Dr. Barbara Sturm Skin Food Capsules
Enriched with purslane, Japanese knotweed root extract and kudzu root, Dr. Barbara Sturm’s supplements will leave your skin hydrated and supple, making maskne a thing of the past.
Sarah Chapman Omega+ Booster Supplements
Facialist to the stars Sarah Chapman’s omega-filled supplements contribute to a healthy skin barrier function and an improved skin cell function. What are you waiting for?
£54.40 | John Lewis & Partners
Perricone MD Omega 3 Dietry Supplements
For those with dry skin or breakout-prone skin, Pfeffer recommends choosing omega 3 supplements. These from Perricone MD are the best.
Votary Super Glow Supplements
“Taking care of your skin is as much about what you put into your body as it is what you put onto your skin," says Arabella Preston, the founder of Votary. Preston’s latest supplement launch promises the glowiest of glows.
