With aesthetic treatments on the rise and beauty shelves stacked with high-performance serums, a new question is gaining traction among those serious about skin: Are supplements the missing piece of the puzzle? The rise of ingestible beauty, from collagen powders to gut health capsules, suggests that topical skincare alone might no longer be enough. But in a market flooded with promises, how do you know where your money is best spent?
“There’s no denying that what we put into our bodies shows up on our skin,” says Boris Hodakel, founder of Feel Supplements. “Supplements can help address internal imbalances that skincare simply can’t reach; things like chronic inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, or hormone-related breakouts. And when it comes to collagen, no topical cream can replenish what the body naturally loses over time. That’s where supplements come in—working from the inside out to support skin structure, elasticity and glow. Results build gradually, but with consistency, they can make a real, lasting difference.”
It’s this inside-out approach that’s gaining attention, especially in regions like the Middle East where wellness is increasingly seen as a foundation for beauty. Consumers are looking beyond the surface, turning to ingestibles that promise to strengthen the skin barrier, reduce sensitivity, and enhance post-treatment results. That said, dermatologists are clear: skincare still plays a vital role. Active ingredients like retinol, niacinamide, and peptides deliver proven benefits when applied correctly—particularly for targeting pigmentation, fine lines, or acne. And unlike supplements, which can take weeks or months to show results, topical products often offer quicker, more visible change.
But what about aesthetic treatments? For those looking to accelerate or enhance their results, in-clinic options like Morpheus8 burst, which uses radiofrequency microneedling to stimulate collagen and tighten the skin, or Heleo4 Skin Cellular Detox a new-generation skin cellular detox treatment targeting inflammation and sluggish skin, are gaining momentum across the region. These treatments can provide a powerful reset, especially when combined with consistent skincare and internal support.
So where should you be investing your dollars? “It’s not about choosing one over the other,” says Orsi Matheisz, founder of Orskin Aesthetics. “Supplements provide internal support, skincare works on the surface, and in-clinic treatments offer that expert-level boost. The best results come when all three are working in harmony—it’s about treating the skin as a whole, not in isolation.”
The future of beauty, it seems, is not either/or. It’s smart layering—from your serum to your supplement to your in-clinic treatment. And knowing that glow begins long before you reach for your moisturiser—it starts with how you nourish your body, care for your skin daily, and support it professionally when needed.
To help get you started, here are some beauty supplements to try out.
Moom The Beauty Pack: Hair, Skin, and Anti-Aging Support
Singaporean-based brand Moom has specially curated The Beauty Pack with supplements designed to support hair and skin health. This 30-day supplement includes Amla+ to help hair and nail growth while helping collagen production and boosting immunity, Super Curcumin to soothe inflammation and brighten skin, and Zinc to aid hair tissue growth and repair.
The Purest Co Marine Collagen Peptides Matcha
Love your matcha? Now you can have it with marine collagen peptides thanks to local brand The Purest Co. The premise here is easy: boost your collagen production with just a scoop of powder mixed with water every night before you sleep—or before breakfast. The results aren’t immediate, but gradual—your skin feels softer and plumper, nails and hair are strengthened, your fine lines and wrinkles are diminished, and people will start asking how you’re achieving that radiant glow. Sounds pretty good to us.
PurelyB Pegaga
Did you know that the local Malay herb pegaga is a fantastic superfood rooted in thousands of years of wellness wisdom? Local brand PurelyB has been preaching this for years, and the popularity of their original Pegaga supplement is a testament to it. The supplement is a blend of pegaga, green apple, red dates, turmeric leaf, papaya leaf, and habbatus sauda. Together, these ingredients are scientifically proven to enhance gut health, repair skin, and strengthen immunity.
Cuura Glow Nectar
Local beauty brand Cuura has also launched their own edible skincare in the form of Glo Nectar—sipplable sachets that can also be mixed into juices and smoothies for a little extra boost. It contains all the good stuff: vitamins C, E ,K, B , folic acid, iron, zinc, selenium, as well as superantioxidants and nutrients to reduce free radical effects of the sun, pollution, and stress.
This story originally appeared on GRAZIA Middle East, with add-ons from the GRAZIA Malaysia team.
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