THE SCIENCE IN NO UGLY SKIN

Originally published by
I QUIT SUGAR.
30 August 2023
By Melissa Evans

Your skin is a reflection of your inner health, and the saying, "you are what you eat,” holds true when it comes to your complexion. Okay, your mum might have been pulling your leg when she told you you'd turn into a carrot, but there is truth to the adage! Here’s how No Ugly’s Skin tonic can transform your skincare routine from the inside out.

While skincare routines and topical treatments play a role in maintaining healthy skin, the foods we eat have a profound impact on its appearance, texture, and overall vitality. From radiant glow to troublesome breakouts, how we fuel our body can either nourish or challenge the skin. Think of your skin as a canvas that reflects your overall wellbeing – it’s not just about how it looks, it’s about what it’s trying to tell you. While it's common knowledge that a balanced diet supports your heart, bones, and immune system, it's equally vital for maintaining healthy skin. But why, you ask? Well, it all comes down to a little relationship we know as the gut-skin connection.

The Gut-Skin Connection: The gut-skin connection is a fascinating and intricate relationship between the health of your digestive system and the condition of your skin. While these two bodily systems may seem unrelated, scientific research has highlighted a strong link, suggesting that imbalances in the gut can have a direct impact on the appearance and vitality of your skin. Here's how it works:

Immune System Interaction: A significant portion of the immune system is housed in the gut. When the gut is in a state of imbalance or inflammation, it can trigger an immune response that affects other parts of the body, including the skin. This connection is evident in conditions like psoriasis and eczema.

Inflammation Influence: Chronic inflammation in the gut can lead to systemic inflammation throughout the body, including the skin. Inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne and rosacea, are believed to be influenced by this systemic inflammation originating in the gut.

Gut Microbiome Impact: The gut is home to trillions of microorganisms collectively known as the gut microbiome. These microbes play a crucial role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and maintaining a balanced immune system. An imbalance in the gut microbiome, known as dysbiosis, can lead to increased permeability of the gut lining (leaky gut) and trigger systemic inflammation. This inflammation can manifest as skin issues like acne, eczema and even premature ageing - so while we're often busy looking for band-aid creams and serums, the answer lies within – literally; this isn't a lecture on finding your inner zen!

Nutrient Absorption: The gut is responsible for absorbing essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. When the gut's ability to absorb these nutrients is compromised, it can impact skin health. For instance, deficiencies in certain vitamins (like vitamin D and vitamin E) and minerals (like zinc) can contribute to skin problems.
Nutrients play pivotal roles in skin cell formation, collagen synthesis, hydration and protection against environmental stressors – from antioxidants to healthy fats and vitamins – and that’s why No Ugly have carefully selected each ingredient to make this tonic a skin-transforming hero. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that it tastes divine! With pineapple and citrusy notes, this drink is refreshing and light – you won’t believe it’s actually doing your body a world of good. It's a firm favourite among the IQS team for its fruity taste and natural sweetness.

Now let’s find out what makes the tasty ingredients in No Ugly Skin so good for your pores.

MARINE COLLAGEN

The marine collagen in No Ugly Skin is one of the major superheroes fighting for your skin health. Derived from fish, research suggests that this form of collagen may offer several benefits for the skin due to its unique composition and bioactive properties, with study after study finding it to have visible and substantial improvements to the skin’s health and quality. One study on the effects of marine collagen on ageing women’s skin found that participants’ crow’s feet wrinkles had decreased by an impressive 16.5% after just 12 weeks. The study also found that just 8 weeks of supplementation led to improved elasticity, firmness and thickness, with 74% of participants reporting visible improvements during the study. Here's how it works.

Collagen Production:Marine collagen is rich in amino acids, including proline and glycine, which are essential building blocks for collagen synthesis. Clinical studies have indicated that consuming marine collagen may stimulate the body's natural collagen production. This increase in collagen levels can enhance skin elasticity, firmness, and hydration, leading to a smoother and more youthful appearance.

Skin Hydration:Collagen plays a crucial role in maintaining the skin's moisture content. Marine collagen's amino acid composition is particularly effective at retaining moisture and supporting the skin's natural barrier function. Studies suggest that marine collagen supplementation may improve skin hydration and reduce the appearance of dryness and roughness.

Wrinkle Reduction:One of the most sought-after benefits of marine collagen is its potential to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Research indicates that regular consumption of marine collagen may lead to improvements in skin elasticity and a reduction in the depth and visibility of wrinkles. This effect is likely due to the collagen's ability to support the skin's structure and promote cell turnover.

Antioxidant Protection:Marine collagen contains peptides that possess antioxidant properties. These peptides help fight free radicals, which are molecules that contribute to skin ageing and damage.

Wound Healing:Several studies suggest that collagen supplementation, including marine collagen, may play a role in wound healing and skin repair. Collagen's ability to support tissue regeneration and stimulate new cell growth can aid in the healing process of skin injuries and blemishes.

Sun Damage Defence:While not a substitute for sunscreen, research indicates that marine collagen might help minimise the negative effects of UV radiation on the skin, potentially reducing the risk of sun-induced skin damage.

You can read the referenced medical study here

PINE BARK EXTRACT

Sourced from New Zealand pine bark trees, pine bark extract was specifically included in No Ugly Skin for its skin-healing properties. Research suggests that the rich bioactive compounds are to thank for these effects. Here's why:

Antioxidant Protection: Pine bark extract is renowned for its potent antioxidant properties. It contains a variety of antioxidants, including flavonoids and proanthocyanidins. To put it simply, these compounds help neutralise harmful free radicals in the body, which can result from environmental stressors such as UV radiation, pollution, and oxidative stress. By reducing oxidative damage, pine bark extract may help protect skin cells from premature ageing, collagen degradation, and the formation of wrinkles.

Collagen Synthesis Support: Collagen is a crucial protein that maintains skin's structural integrity, elasticity, and firmness. Studies suggest that pine bark extract might stimulate the production of collagen and elastin fibres in the skin. This effect could contribute to smoother, more youthful-looking skin and potentially help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Chronic inflammation can contribute to skin disorders like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Pine bark extract's anti-inflammatory properties may help mitigate inflammation-related skin issues by modulating inflammatory responses and soothing irritated skin to promote a healthier complexion.

Skin Hydration and Elasticity: Pine bark extract is believed to enhance skin hydration by supporting the skin's natural moisturising factors. It may help improve the skin's ability to retain moisture, leading to increased hydration levels and improved skin elasticity.

UV Protection: Excessive UV exposure can lead to skin damage and accelerate ageing – it’s always pertinent to slip, slap, slop! Pine bark extract has been studied for its potential to provide some degree of protection against UV-induced skin damage. While it's not a substitute for sunscreen, its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties might contribute to reducing the harmful effects of UV radiation.

Blood Flow Enhancement: Improved blood flow can enhance nutrient and oxygen delivery to skin cells, aiding in their repair and regeneration. Pine bark extract has been suggested to enhance blood circulation, which could positively impact overall skin health and appearance.

B VITAMINS

B vitamins are a group of water-soluble vitamins that play a crucial role in maintaining overall health, including skin health, and that's why No Ugly have left no stone unturned by including some of the most potent of the group. Research suggests that these vitamins contribute to various aspects of skin health due to their involvement in essential cellular processes - here's what that means:

Niacin (B3) for Skin Barrier Function: Niacin is crucial for maintaining the skin's barrier function, which helps prevent moisture loss and protects against environmental aggressors. It's been studied for its potential to improve skin hydration, reduce redness, and minimise the appearance of pores.

Pantothenic Acid (B5) for Moisture and Healing: Pantothenic acid is essential for maintaining skin moisture and elasticity. It's a component of coenzyme A, which, if you peel back the science jargon, simply means it's involved in skin cell metabolism and repair.

Riboflavin (B2) for Skin Health Maintenance: Riboflavin is important for overall skin health maintenance. It's involved in cellular energy production and supports the growth and repair of skin tissues.

Pyridoxine (B6) for Inflammation and Acne Control: Pyridoxine is linked to skin health due to its role in regulating hormone activity and reducing inflammation. Some studies suggest that vitamin B6 supplementation might be beneficial for managing acne symptoms.

Cobalamin (B12) for Skin Health and Pigmentation: Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy skin, as it's involved in the production of new skin cells and the maintenance of nerve cells. Some research also suggests a connection between B12 deficiency and skin pigmentation changes.

Thiamine (B1) for Skin Cell Function: Thiamine is involved in various biochemical reactions in skin cells and plays a role in maintaining skin cell integrity and function.

DIETARY FIBRE

Remember that gut-skin connection we talked about? Well, No Ugly know it inside and out, and it’s why they’ve got gut-boosting dietary fibre in their tonic. We all know how important fibre is in healing gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, and in turn leading to a healthy gut microbiome. Imbalances in gut bacteria have been linked to skin conditions like acne and eczema, not to mention your common case of dry skin. A well-balanced gut microbiome may help reduce inflammation, which can indirectly improve skin health – you’re literally healing from the inside out. Let’s take a look at what else fibre can do for you:

Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Dietary fibre has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in the body. Chronic inflammation is associated with various skin issues, including acne, psoriasis, and premature ageing. By reducing overall inflammation, fibre-rich diets contribute to calmer, healthier skin.

Blood Sugar Regulation: High-glycaemic diets that cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels have been linked to skin problems like acne. Dietary fibre can slow down the absorption of sugar and help stabilise blood sugar levels. A more stable blood sugar profile might contribute to improved skin health by reducing the potential for skin inflammation triggered by insulin spikes.

Nutrient Absorption: A healthy gut lining supported by dietary fibre enhances nutrient absorption, and as we've mentioned, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants all play a crucial role in maintaining skin health and radiance.

Balanced Hormones: High-fibre diets can help maintain balanced hormone levels, from reproductive hormones to insulin! Imbalances have been linked to various skin conditions like acne and autoimmune rashes. A well-regulated hormonal environment is a foundational pillar of prevention.

Hydration: Some types of dietary fibre absorb water, helping to soften stool and prevent constipation. Proper hydration is essential not just for gut health, but for skin health too, as well-hydrated skin is better armed against irritants and toxins, along with appearing more plump and vibrant.

VITAMIN C

Vitamin C is your secret piece of the puzzle of skin health – not only is it a potent antioxidant, but it also plays a major role in collagen synthesis. It’s essential for the enzymes that create collagen, aiding in the formation and maintenance of this vital protein you’re your collagen supplement really isn’t complete without it. That’s why No Ugly have made sure to include a good shot of the stuff in each bottle. Let’s take a look at some of the other functions of vitamin C:


Antioxidants: Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps protect your skin from the damaging effects of free radicals from UV radiation and pollution. These molecules can lead to oxidative stress, causing premature ageing, fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C helps neutralise these free radicals, supporting the skin's ability to repair itself.

Wound Healing: Vitamin C's role in collagen synthesis extends to wound healing. It's essential for creating the connective tissue that helps wounds close and heal properly. Adequate vitamin C levels are vital for supporting the body's ability to repair damaged skin – and we’re not just talking about those with injuries, this also affects the appearance of acne scars and other blemishes.

Hydration and Barrier Function: Vitamin C supports the skin's barrier function, helping to retain moisture and prevent water loss, and we know that hydrated skin appears plumper and smoother. Additionally, by enhancing the skin's protective barrier, vitamin C helps defend against external aggressors that can contribute to dryness and irritation.

UV Protection Enhancement: While not a substitute for sunscreen, vitamin C can potentially enhance the effectiveness of sun protection. It may help defend against some of the skin damage caused by UV rays, contributing to a holistic approach to sun protection.

Yep, vitamin C isn’t just for immunity, it’s also your skin’s best friend in the fight against acne, wrinkles and dehydration.

How to Drink Your Skin Tonic

Just a bottle a day is the key to happy, healthy and gorgeous skin; you can think of it as an addition to your daily skin routine. Enjoy it on its own or with a meal, it's completely up to you. It doesn't get any easier than that!

So, this all sounds good right? If you’re ready to try this tasty supplement to boost your health, No Ugly has what you need. Their unique formulation combines the research of modern science with the wisdom of ancient tradition to provide a powerful, nourishing tonic you can enjoy anywhere, any time.