Next-gen nutricosmetics: Biotech, botanicals and the gut-skin axis

The fusion between skin care and supplementation continues to expand as the global nutricosmetics market evolves beyond traditional collagen powders and biotin capsules. Beauty-from-within consumers are looking for holistic, science-backed solutions that deliver visible results, prompting brands to innovate at the intersection of nutrition, dermatology, and biotechnology.

From next-gen delivery systems and microbiome-focused formulations to sustainable, plant-based actives and AI-powered personalization, the category is transforming. We explore the latest ingredient innovations, formulation strategies, and market trends shaping the future of nutricosmetics and what they mean for brands operating in this fast-growing, consumer-driven space.

Innova Market Insights suggests a 4% average annual increase in skin health claims in supplement launches between July 2020 and June 2025. Emerging ingredients supporting this trend include chaga mushroom, sodium selenate, and milk thistle, reflecting growing consumer interest in beauty-from-within and functional skin care solutions.

Nutrition insight delves into the latest nutricosmetic nd skin care supplement ingredients with experts from Gnosis by Lesaffre, Lubrizol Life Sciences, Finzelberg, and PhytoGaia.

Women’s health and beauty

Stefania Sala, the product manager for reproductive and women’s health at Gnosis by Lesaffre, states that “ingestible beauty” is gaining traction, reflecting a blend of elegance and science-backed skin health benefits from within. She further notes that in today’s image-driven, social media-centric culture, demand for appearance-enhancing solutions is surging. 

“Nutricosmetics that deliver active folate for protecting youthful skin structure and against UVB aging will perform successfully in this marketplace,” says Sala. “Asia is a rapidly growing consumer base for ingestible beauty.”

She adds that the company has identified nutricosmetic applications for Quatrefolic, an advanced form of folate. Unlike folic acid, Quatrefolic delivers bioactive folate directly, making it fully available in the body. This is especially beneficial for women with genetic polymorphisms that hinder folic acid absorption and metabolic conversion.Gnosis by Lesaffre says that new research reveals that Quatrefolic protects skin from UVA-induced oxidative stress and DNA damage.

“Quatrefolic supports fertility, healthy fetal development, and reduces the risk of neural tube defects, but it also helps regulate homocysteine levels, supporting heart and cognitive health,” she reveals. “During menopause, it contributes to maintaining a balanced mood and supporting the cardiovascular system.”

“Folate also aids energy production and red blood cell formation, making Quatrefolic essential for women’s overall well-being,” Sala continues. “Now, new preclinical research has revealed that Quatrefolic can benefit skin structure, improving the characteristics of youthful, beautiful skin. A new skin health study shows Quatrefolic protects against UVA-induced oxidative stress and reduces DNA damage, highlighting its potential as a nutricosmetic and supporting skin health.”

“As this venerable ingredient enters a new category, it is even more attractive for women’s health products.”

Addressing modern needs

Isabel Gómez, the global marketing manager for nutraceuticals at Lubrizol Life Sciences, says that microbiome-supporting solutions and multifunctional products targeting the gut-skin axis are gaining traction, using pre-, pro-, and postbiotics plus enzymes to enhance skin and well-being.

She also notes that the rising awareness of “inflammaging” is driving demand for natural anti-inflammatory ingredients like curcumin, which help slow skin aging by reducing chronic inflammation.

“The trend of pairing topical skin care products with nutricosmetic supplements, known as ‘bi-directional beauty’ or ‘twincosmetics,’ is gaining momentum,” she explains. “This dual approach enhances the effectiveness of skin care routines.”Isabel Gómez, the global marketing manager for nutraceuticals at Lubrizol Life Sciences.

“The importance of vitamins and minerals for beauty-from-within cannot be overstated. Essential vitamins like A, C, and E, and minerals such as zinc, selenium, and iron, play crucial roles in improving skin complexion by boosting elasticity, reducing inflammation, and protecting against stressors. Iron is vital for building collagen, promoting healthy skin, and aiding in wound healing by carrying oxygen to skin cells.”

Gómez notes that Lubrizol Life Science’s Curcushine microcapsules feature microencapsulated curcumin — a potent antioxidant from turmeric — with enhanced bioavailability and solubility. Curcumin is recognized for its ability to protect skin proteins and structures from oxidative and inflammatory damage, helping to delay visible signs of aging.

She underscores that due to its water-dispersible formulation, Curcushine can be easily incorporated into a wide range of nutricosmetic and nutraceutical formats, including tablets, capsules, gummies, powder sachets, and functional drinks.

“Curcushine has been proven to significantly reduce reactive oxygen species and glycation levels in human dermal cells, thereby preventing skin aging,” she explains. “The antioxidant properties of curcumin in Curcushine help eliminate the effects of advanced glycation end-products, which contribute to skin aging, and by protecting collagen and elastin from oxidative and inflammatory damage, Curcushine helps maintain skin structure and function.”

“A clinical study involving 63 healthy women assessed the efficacy of microencapsulated curcumin extract for improving facial skin appearance. Participants consumed Curcushine microcapsules or a placebo daily for 42 days. The study demonstrated visible results in just six weeks, with significant improvements in skin hydration, elasticity, and overall appearance.”Finzelberg says its Agilirose Beauty offering is clinically shown to improve skin firmness, elasticity, barrier function, and radiance.

Natural beauty nutraceuticals

Martin Felker, the senior expert of branded ingredients at Finzelberg, reveals the company recently unveiled Agilirose Beauty at Vitafoods Europe 2025 in Barcelona, a science-backed botanical solution for beauty-from-within supplements designed to enhance skin health and radiance.

“Agilirose Beauty is derived from the skin of wild-growing Rosehip berries, which have long been valued for their wellness properties,” Felker highlights. “Agilirose Beauty is produced through Finzelberg’s proprietary, patented process that combines enzymatic degradation, selective membrane filtration, and a gentle drying technique.” 

“This enables us to isolate and preserve the potent active substances, such as polyphenols, with their anti-inflammatory benefits. The result is a powerful extract, clinically proven to support skin care. This has been demonstrated in a recent clinical study supervised by Ute Wollenweber, cosmetic consultant and founder of the consultancy care-and-science.”

Felker further reveals that clinical studies show Agilirose Beauty improves skin firmness, elasticity, and barrier strength. Participants also reported enhanced radiance, reduced dryness, and smoother texture. These results highlight that, like other organs, skin health is closely linked to nutrition and reinforces the role of ingestible skincare in beauty routines.

Skin-boosting synergies

Meanwhile, PhytoGaia’s STGaia is a unique cosmeceutical complex combining natural squalene with a full-spectrum tocotrienol mix (alpha, beta, gamma, delta). Referred to as “super vitamin E,” the ingredient is extracted in its natural composition from sustainably sourced palm fruit.

Dr. Ariati Aris, PhytoGaia’s scientific affairs specialist, and Bryan See, the company’s vice president of business development and technical support, emphasize that the palm-based phytonutrient complex combines natural squalene and full-spectrum tocotrienols in their original ratio. This antioxidant-rich blend, extracted from sustainably sourced palm fruits, delivers unique cosmeceutical benefits, enhancing skin health and protection through its synergistic functional properties.PhytoGaia highlights STGaia’s ability to replenish declining squalene levels with age to restore skin moisture, radiance, and resilience.

“STGaia is the first and only synergistic natural plant extract with two of the most important nutricosmetic active ingredients — squalene and tocotrienols — in the market,” say Aris and See. “Squalene and tocotrienols are used widely and individually in the topical and oral cosmetics products; however, not in a combination yet.”

The two highlight that squalene, a key component of human sebum, is valued for its antioxidant and moisturizing properties. As people age, natural squalene levels decline, leading to dry, less elastic skin. Replenishing squalene restores hydration, protection, and radiance through both oral and topical applications.

“Squalene has been traditionally obtained from the livers of sharks, where it can be found in high concentrations,” Aris and See explain. “However, due to sustainability, animal protection regulations, and the potential presence of persistent organic pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, organochlorine pesticides, dioxins, or carcinogenic heavy metals, shark-derived squalene is discouraged and shunned by manufacturers and consumers alike.”

“In this regard, STGaia offers a safer, plant-based alternative — free from regulatory hurdles and guilt. Hence, STGaia is the first of its kind, specifically developed for both topical and oral skin beauty formulations,” they conclude.