The 10 Best Supplements for Skin to Add to Your Daily Routine

From glow-boosting gummies to acne-fighting pills.

model with glowing skin wearing no makeup
(Image credit: Nur Photo/Getty)

There’s a reason fatty fish, avocado, tomatoes, spinach, and many, many more fruits and veggies are called “beauty foods.” They’re loaded with good-for-your-skin nutrients that calm down inflammation, amp up hydration, and provide extra antioxidants,. But if you feel like your diet could use a little extra boost, it might be worthwhile to start taking one of the best skin supplements on the side. While gummies and pills are great additives, keep your expectations realistic. One skin supplement a day isn’t going to magically transform your skin on its own. They’re quite literally meant to supplement other daily habits. 

“Think of supplements as a piece of the puzzle: a targeted supplement regimen can benefit the skin in conjunction with other healthy lifestyle and dietary habits,” explains Taylor Fazio, certified dietitian nutritionist, registered dietician, and wellness director at The Lanby. “Supplements provide concentrated nutrients that act in specific ways to target these root causes and realign whatever factor is causing skin issues.” 

While they're not a cure all for getting rid of pimples or dry skin, incorporating a high-quality vitamin into your morning ritual can deliver visible results. Here, we’re breaking down how to find the best one for you—and some of our favorite supplements for skin. 

How Do I Decide Which Supplement Is Best for Me?

As much as we would love to give you a one-size-fits-all answer served up on a silver platter, the supplement that will work best for you will depend on your end goal. Fazio explains that while someone with dry skin should search out a supplement with fish oil or collagen, someone with hormonal acne would benefit from probiotics and prebiotics that support the gut. (Studies have shown that there is a connection between the digestive system and acne.)

Powerful antioxidants, like vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E, and CoQ10 can also help “calm systemic inflammation that presents as acne or skin discoloration.”

How Do I Incorporate a Supplement Into My Routine?

Before adding any kind of supplement into your diet, consult with your doctor or nutritionist. As far as actually taking the pill, though, there are few general rules to keep top of mind. “Typically, fat-soluble vitamins are best absorbed when paired with a fat source like yogurt or avocado,” says Fazio. “Others should be taken with plenty of water. A rule of thumb is to consume at least half your body weight in ounces of fluid every day.” 

The Best Skin Supplements to Try

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Samantha Holender
Senior Beauty Editor

Samantha Holender is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. She's studied up on every ingredient you'll find on INCI list and is constantly in search of the world's glowiest makeup products. She's constantly tracking the biggest nail and hair trends to pop up in the beauty space, going backstage during fashion weeks, tracking celebrity looks, and constantly talking to celebrity hair stylists, nail artists, and makeup artists. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Us Weekly’s Beauty and Style Editor, where she stayed on the pulse of pop culture and broke down celebrity beauty routines, hair transformations, and red carpet looks. Her words have also appeared on Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, Delish.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Samantha also serves as a board member for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She first joined the organization in 2018, when she worked as an editorial intern at Food Network Magazine and Pioneer Woman Magazine. Samantha has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While at GWU, she was a founding member of the school’s HerCampus chapter and served as its President for four years. When she’s not deep in the beauty closet or swatching eyeshadows, you can find her obsessing over Real Housewives and all things Bravo. Keep up with her on Instagram @samholender.