Is Beauty a Mouthful Away?
They say beauty comes from within. But now, several companies are putting that theory to the test, offering pills and drinks that promise gorgeous hair, skin, and nails.
Women's Health magazine contributor Keri Glassman appeared on "The Early Show" Monday with lowdown on some of these edible beauty products.
Glassman explained eating the right foods can help you reduce the appearance of fine lines, prevent acne breakouts and even make your skin glow. Putting the nutrients found in these foods into pill and powder form may have similar results.
From Women's Health magazine:
Tan from Within
Rodial Skinny Beach
CLAIM: Beta carotene stimulates pigmentation in your skin to darken while protecting you from UVB rays.
HOW TO USE: Mix packet with about half cup of water 1-2 times per day. Tan will develop after 2 weeks.
TESTER: Says she got bronzed but wanted more results.
EXPERTS: Beta carotene could stimulate pigmentation but you definitely still need sunscreen. I worry that you may look orange. Have you ever seen someone who eats too many carrots? Their skin looks orange! This is from the excess of beta carotene. This product also has vitamin C another good skin nutrient but it also has artificial sweeteners which I am not a big fan of.
$59/14 packets (One- to two-week supply)
Boost Overall Beauty
Sonya Dakar Ultima Power Shake
CLAIM: 150 Calorie shake provides 22 g carbs, 15 g protein, 4 g fiber, 2 g fat from and 600 mg of calcium as well as other vitamins and minerals to help promote healthy skin and hair such as biotin and vitamin A and C.
HOW TO USE: Add 2 scoops to 8 oz. water 2 times daily.
TESTER: Thought it tasted good - like a strawberry milkshake and used it as a portioned snack replacement helping control calories and did notice smoother skin and shinier hair.
EXPERTS: Regardless of the beauty benefits it is a good portioned snack. It also has cocoa in it which helps with skin blood circulation and may help with hydration of the skin. And I really liked how it tasted!
$59/bottle (One-week supply)
Brighten and Even Skin
Glisodin Skin Nutrients Advanced Skin Brightening Pills
CLAIM: Antioxidants from citrus promote even skin tone by inhibiting hyperpigmentation.
HOW TO USE: 2 pills daily with a meal.
TESTER: Says her complexion looked less blotchy.
EXPERTS: Great mix of antioxidants which may help give your skin a glow. Also, essential fatty acids help with skin health due to anti-inflammatory benefits.
$80/60 pills One-month supply
Clear Up Acne
Functionlab Pure Skin Pills and Nutrient Tonic Shot
CLAIM: The pill has nutrients supposed to maintain hormone balance and regulate oil production. The shot has antioxidants, which may help the skin look smoother.
HOW TO USE: 1-2 capsules a day and shots as much as you want.
EXPERTS: May help alleviate acne, there is a good mix of antioxidants but you could get these same nutrients by eating nuts and whole grains for vitamin E and zinc and tuna for selenium.
$55/bottle and $6 per tonic
Turn Back the Clock
Beauty Scoop
CLAIM: Nutrients boosts the body's own power to reduce appearance of fine lines.
HOW TO USE: Mix 1 pack 4-8 oz. of any drink 1 time per day for 3 weeks.
TESTER: Skin was more hydrated which made wrinkles look less visible.
$95/21 packets (Three-week supply)