Vitamin C

Beauty benefit: Increases collagen formation while repairing and protecting your skin against wrinkles.
Natural sources: Citrus fruits; berries; capsicum; broccoli; parsley; spinach; cabbage.
Or find it in: Imedeen Classic, $75 for 60 tablets.

Vitamin B

Beauty benefit: Brighten your complexion with this energising and stress-relieving choice.
Natural sources: Milk; cheese; yoghurt; almonds; green vegetables; mushrooms.
Or find it in: Jan Marini Skin Research C-Estamins Nutritional Skin Care Supplement, $140 for a 30-day supply.

Zinc

Beauty benefit: Restores shine to hair and strengthens your nails, plus it improves skin conditions, such as eczema, acne and irregular oil production.
Natural sources: Meat; eggs; wholegrain cereals; seeds; dark, leafy greens; brown rice.
Or find it in: Blackmores Bio Zinc, $28.50 for 168 tablets.

FlaxSeed

Beauty benefit: Soften and smooth fine lines with this potent seed packed with essential fatty acids and healing vitamin E.
Natural source: Ground flaxseeds.
Or find it in: Waihi Bush Organic Farm Flax Boost, $17.50 for 250ml.

Vitamin A

Beauty benefit: Turn back the clock with this age-fighting anti-oxidant. It may also reduce breakouts and help protect your skin against sun damage.
Natural sources: Carrots; rockmelon; oily fish; dairy; cod liver oil; egg yolks. '''
Or find it in: Ultraceuticals Ultra Active Clear Skin, $29.95 for 60 capsules.

Essential fatty acids

Beauty benefit: Dehydrated or stressed complexions will love the nourishing and repairing effects of essential fatty acids omega 3, 6 and 9.
Natural sources: Walnuts; soybeans; deep sea, cold water fish, like salmon and trout.
Or find it in: Clear Fish Oil 1000mg, $10.95 for 200 capsules.

Silica

Beauty benefit: Thinning hair or brittle nails? You'll love this mineral's strengthening properties.
Natural sources: Seafood; rice; soybeans; green vegetables.
Or find it in: Nature's Own Age Renewal, $32.95 for 30 capsules.

Vitamin E

Beauty benefit: Ideal for calming skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema and acne.
Natural sources: Seafood; almonds; hazelnuts; dark green vegetables.
Or find it in: Usana E-Prime Optimizers, $42.50 for 60 capsules.


You are what you eat
Supplements can't replace a balanced diet, but they may help to reverse your complexion concerns and boost radiance, says Dr Lars Lindmark, Imedeen's scientific advisor. "Skin is one of the body's most important organs, and it's often neglected through bad nutrition, especially with too few anti-oxidants and essential nutrients. New research supports the role and use of well-balanced dietary supplements for healthy skin.


Supplements may be harmful if you are pregnant or on medication. Please consult your doctor before taking them.