A couple of weeks back, we talked about taking health supplements. I started getting curious after reading a few of your comments and started wondering: Do you take beauty supplements?
If you go to the pharmacy these days, you’d find shelves dedicated to all sorts of supplements targeted at making women look more beautiful – smoother firmer skin, firmer busts, thinner bodies…
Have you tried any of them, or do you take any regularly?
Many years ago, I was taking Imedeen, a marine supplement thingy in pill form. It was mostly at the urging of my Mum who was taking it and found it was very beneficial for her. I stopped after a while out of laziness, and because I wanted to see if there were any side effects to stopping. Would my skin sag to my knees? Would I wake up and look like I aged overnight?
But there was nothing untoward, and so I decided that I was doing just as well without it and so I never went back. That would have been my one and only real experience at taking a beauty supplement. A supplement that serves no health purpose but one primarily meant for beauty only.
My Mum had a very good experience with her collagen drink so she kept bugging me to try. I resisted because I wasn’t all that keen, but I recently had a box on hand by a different brand – Kinohimitsu Collagen Diamond beauty drink – and decided to give it a go. I had nothing to lose, I figured.
For the first week, I diligently took a bottle each night before bed. It didn’t taste bad, and wasn’t too sweet so it wasn’t as if I had to choke it down. It tasted like a fruit drink. I had no adverse reactions, but I wasn’t sure there was anything positive to be noted either, if I’m to be perfectly honest. As per directions, I then took the remainder bottles on every alternate evening.
This is a collagen beauty drink that is supposed to help skin look better, brighter, firmer etc etc etc. As I said, I didn’t quite notice the results, or maybe the results if any, were just too subtle to be noticed. Either way, I’ve since stopped taking it since I finished the box, and have noticed no side effects either. So, I’m not sure.
Are there benefits to taking these beauty supplements? I realise that they probably need a much longer time before results are noticed, but I don’t know. I’m not quite convinced just yet.
Do you take beauty supplements? Is there one that you find very beneficial for consumption?
I have read a lot recently about people taking collagen supplements but they take it in powder or pill form, not in these drinks, which are the most popular form available. Do you take those and have a brand you prefer? I’m sort of curious, as you can tell 😛
Paris B
Hi Paris
I don’t take beauty supplement. However, i won a box recently it’s called Uniqo which in sachet form and I haven’t started. i am actually quite sceptical abt beauty supplement. I mean – how can collagen be absorbed by our system? My mom used to take Imedeen too and asked me to try. She saw good result but she has stopped long time ago, not sure why. I think as long as we eat fresh fruits and vegi, we should be ok.
I took Imedeen too but it’s really expensive and I’m not sure I saw very great results. I don’t know too how well our bodies an absorb collagen. Maybe just eat chicken feet and pig trotters hehe… Good luck with your collagen drink!
Instead of taking collagen drink, it’s better to take protein and vitamin c, which are the raw materials to collagen. Collagen molecules are too big to be absorb effectively in our body.
Thanks for sharing!
I only took normal vitamin supplements, as i do not believe in these beauty drinks ei, well not yet as i think its more of a gimmick….i still believe that eating a well-balance diet, exercise plus having enough sleep is the key to great skin..my mom don’t take these supplements but she hardly had any wrinkles despite reaching 60 coz she sleeps early & don’t take fast food 😉
Yeah i think keeping a good lifestyle is best too. Problem I think is that many of us don’t lead as good a lifestyle as we should, what with the stresses of day to day and poor diets. I guess we can but try! 🙂
In response to Chin’s comment, pls note that supplements and drugs have different requirements for registration, both in the USA and in Malaysia. Obviously, the requirements for supplements are much less stringent. The 24 karat roller you mentioned is called microneedling and is proven to be effective, provided it is performed by a qualified specialist. If you do it yourself you risk scarring.
I believe that health supplements work, however it may take months for the effects to be seen and the effects will be very subtle. So don’t hope for miracles!
Thanks for sharing, Li Ping. I do think health supplements work, but I’m not so sure about the beauty supplements. Even for my mom, any results were very subtle and only visible after many months. I wasn’t expecting great results right off the bat from my little trial either. Would have been terrified if there was! Lol
Great blog! We don’t take any supplements, we get all the vitamins and nutrients we need from the food we eat, since “You are what you Eat!”. What supplements do you think are becoming the most popular among women nowadays?
I’ve tried NH Cola-Plus collagen drink for 2 months. I didn’t notice a huge change in terms of anti-aging, but it helped with my dark eye circles a lot.
I’ve always battled with tired dark eyes, due to stress and lack of sleep, but after taking the drink for 2 months, I noticed my dark eye circles reduced substantially. It wasn’t completely gone, but I could still get away without applying under-eye concealer. My sleeping hours, diet and daily activities didn’t change, so it definitely wasn’t due to any of those. Even my unobservant bf commented about my missing dark eye circles 😛
I’ve stopped drinking NH since, and my dark eyes are back…… bleh. Would I continue with the drink again? Maybe once in awhile, just to help with the dark circles especially when a special occasion is coming up. I don’t put much stock in its anti-aging properties though.
I’ll stick to my usual vitamin C capsules, fish oil and anti-oxidant supplements for overall health benefits 😉
I heard that NH Cola Plus is very good too! But I didn’t try it. Maybe if I do try this again, I will give that one a go. Thanks for sharing!
What a very good timing for posting this Ms. Paris! I was actually thinking of trying the collagen drinks (in powder form) but was really skeptical because 1) it’s pricey 2) not sure if it’s effective.. There are some celebrities here endorsing it and man, the lady really have a gorgeous skin! She swears by it and she said she’s been taking it for a long time now.. But, who knows? Haha!
Hi Jen, I’m always a bit suspicious when brands like collagen drinks engage people with already good skin to be their spokespeople. Only to be expected, but sneaky nonetheless! I do hear that some people have very good results with regular intake, but it also seems that these results only last as long as you take the collagen supplements. Just be sure these supplements you plan to take are certified by the government or relevant agencies as safe for consumption 😉
Many years back, I was intrigued by Imedeen. I’ve read so much about it and it promised a lot too on improving skin condition. Back then I was plagued by acne and had woes leaving the house even. But I could not afford it, even if I did, it would not be sustainable as it was really pricey then. Fast forward a couple of years later, I’ve learnt to accept my moon face 🙂 Well, it ain’t that easy but with age, comes gradual acceptance and a little more self love. Recently I was away for work and the cabbie uncle that fetched me to work daily commented on my moon face and he recommended the remedy in the form of Hazeline Snow. Though he meant well, his comment hurt and stabbed me, to be honest.
Lately I’ve been seeing Kinohimitsu collagen drink among other brands mushrooming. Seems every now and then there will be some roadshow, sampling and promotion. So my memory of Imedeen and the collagen supplements returned. Kinohimitsu tasted fruity but there’s an uncomfortable “marine” aftertaste. Was tempted to lug home a carton or two actually and then figured, I better stick with my EPO, proper skincare routine and of course, emotional health 🙂
Hi Paris!
I’m very skeptical about collagen drinks. Therefore I’m not gonna try it.
I’m taking Neem capsules from Himalaya that says it’s good for skin and hair.
I didn’t notice anything different on my skin and hair, maybe because i didn’t follow the prescription and only taking it when i remember to take it.
It’s very hard to maintain taking the supplements especially when i’m travelling a lot.
Another thing I think if we want to make the supplement works we have to detox and cleanse our colon first so it’ll be absorbed nicely. So I guess for now I’m starting on healthy diet and trying to detox once in a while and see how it goes. Apart from that I also try to exercise daily.
I know I’m a bit late to response to this topic but I still wanna share my opinions (please please let me share :))
I’m used to be the girl who will buy anything what the adverts says. I’m not sure how much I have wasted my money on this but believe me all those ‘magical transform’ only last temporary (or may I say its our mind that telling us what we wanna hear it because whenever I looked at the mirror I do felt the changes but my boyfriend always said I still looked the same) The worst case when I stopped consuming the collagen, a month later it gave me a bad breakouts.
I’ve tried many products from local brands to international brands, nothing beat a good hygiene and a good lifestyle. Now my pimples and scars are getting better. I just make sure that I drink plenty of water, had lots of fruits and veges, had my vitamins (ie: EPO & Multivitamin), and use a good skincare products. Voila!
Thank you for sharing, Chendra! Late or not, its always helpful to read other peoples’ views! 😀