WD Reviews: Edible Beauty Enhancers
By Amanda Greene
Beauty in a bottle is just too good to be true. Or is it? You may have noticed an influx of edible products on the market that claim to combat a variety of beauty woes, from blemishes to lifeless hair and brittle nails. But do these drinks and supplements really work? That's what a team of WD staffers tried to find out. We tested a bunch of ingestible products-all from trusted brands--to see how they stood up to our biggest beauty complaints. Read on to find out which products flopped and which ones floored us.
Murad Sleep Reform Dietary Supplement
Overall score: 4.8 out of 5
The promise: The dietary supplement "encourages a deep, restful sleep while producing a visible improvement in skin."
What WD had to say: Our reviewer was eager to try this product, which claimed to help improve the appearance of her blemish-prone and uneven complexion and help with her occasional inability to fall asleep. Once she tried it she noticed the supplement's effects right away-"sleep has never felt so good"-but also reported that prying herself out of bed in the morning was harder than usual. And the effect on her skin was fantastic: "My skin was literally glowing; I suspect that it had to do with the product, sun exposure and all that deep sleep," she said. Photo courtesy of Murad.
Phyto Phytophanere Dietary Supplement for Hair and Nails
Overall score: 4.7 out of 5
The promise: The botanically based vitamin caplets (which also contain wheat-germ oil and brewer's yeast) claim to improve the quality of hair and nails.
What WD had to say: After one week our reviewer noticed her nails were growing faster than usual, and were stronger than they'd ever been. Her hair "grew over 2.5 inches in a few weeks, which has never happened before." She also reports her hair was thicker. Plus, she didn't mind the taste, saying it was "sweet, almost chocolaty." Photo courtesy of Drugstore.com.
Sibu Beauty Cellular Support Sea Buckthorn Omega 7 Softgel Supplement
Overall score: 4.7 out of 5
The promise: The softgels, which contain a super-dose of omega-7 fatty acids as well as sea buckthorn oil antioxidants, claim to "nourish and protect the body plus promote healthy hair, skin and nails."
What WD had to say: Our reviewer liked that this supplement is 100 percent natural and looked forward to using it to improve the condition of her oily, acne-prone skin and frizzy hair. She found taking the pills was easy: "The softgels had no bad taste, nor were there any side effects." She usually experiences breakouts on her T-zone during her period, but after several weeks of taking the pills, her monthly breakout never flared up. Photo courtesy of Sibu Beauty.
Noah's Naturals Anti-Aging Beauty Elixir
Overall score: 4 out of 5
The promise: This beauty beverage promises that its ingredients-including collagen and elastin peptides, goji berry, green tea and vitamins--"stimulate skin to lift and tone sagging areas, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles while increasing skin's moisture retention."
What WD had to say: The product's claim to help skin retain moisture is what attracted our reviewer, whose skin is prone to dry patches. Though she was initially worried about the mix's Berry Pomegranate flavor, she found the taste to be "fine" and the mix easy to take. The results impressed her: "After about a week of use I didn't come across as many dry patches on my skin. I also felt like there was more of a glow to my complexion after about 10 days." Photo courtesy of Noah's Naturals.
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Sonya Dakar Perfect Women Multi-Vitamin
Overall score: 3.83 out of 5
The promise: This multivitamin system claims to support a healthy hormone balance and metabolism, as well as help maintain healthy bone density and provide powerful antioxidant protection.
What WD had to say: Our reviewer liked the prepackaged vitamins because they "didn't require any counting or planning." She found taking the nine daily pills was doable, but annoying at times, especially because "some were quite large and had a chalky taste." She was pleased with the results, which included shiny nails, softer skin and restful sleep. "Two friends who didn't know I was testing anything said I looked 'sparkly'!" Photo courtesy ofSonya Dakar Skin Clinic.
Frutels: Acne Care in a Candy
Overall score: 3 out of 5
The promise: The mineral- and vitamin-fortified dark chocolates claim to "stop[s] blemishes before they start by fighting the internal causes: stress, hormones and diet."
What WD had to say: Our reviewer reported the two daily chocolates were easy to take, but she wasn't a fan of the "unpleasant metallic and tangy aftertaste." Additionally, she experienced stomach upset after eating the chocolates. "The discomfort was mild, but combined with the unpleasant taste, it was enough to make me stop using the product." She didn't take the ingestible long enough to experience any results. Photo courtesy of Frutels.
Beauty Scoop: The Edible Beauty Accessory
Overall score: 2.7 out of 5
The promise: The beauty cocktail claims to "enhance[s] the health and appearance of the skin, hair and nails."
What WD had to say: Though she found the mix convenient to take, our reviewer had a hard time "choking down the chalky vanilla soy milk-tasting" drink. But immediately she noticed her nails were growing "so fast" that she had to trade in her weekly at-home mani-pedis for a twice-weekly nail filing session. She was disappointed to find the drink didn't boost or thicken her thin, fragile, color-treated hair, nor did it clear up her occasionally blemish-prone skin. Photo courtesy of Beauty Scoop.
Sonia Dakar Beauty Boot Camp Ultima Power
Overall score: 2.7 out of 5
The promise: This nutrient-dense soy protein shake, "as part of a balanced dietary and regular exercise program, has been clinically shown to help reduce fat while preserving lean muscle mass."
What WD had to say: Our reviewer found this meal replacement was "pretty good-tasting" and easy to drink, "but you need to plan ahead or already be at home." She didn't drop any pounds, and she thinks this supplement would work better for people who are "already at their desired weight and merely looking for a meal supplement to help them maintain it." She also wasn't a fan of the mix's price ($59 for about one week) or the stomachache it gave her when she mixed it with water instead of milk. Photo courtesy of Sonya Dakar Skin Clinic.
Original article appeared on WomansDay.com.
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