The concept of deriving wellness and beauty benefits from consuming specific foods is not a novel idea. It is often said that we are what we eat.
However, the focus on clean eating and clean beauty has now taken center stage in the realm of food and beverages. Incorporating essential vitamins and minerals for skin health from whole foods such as antioxidant berry smoothies and bone broth soups is no longer just a passing trend.
“It’s about merging nutrition with aesthetics,” explained Patsy Ramirez-Arroyo, a consultant in food and sustainability. “Younger consumers are now considering how to blend skincare with healthy nutrition.”
Emphasis on Functional Foods
The promise of supporting skin health, the immune system, and the microbiome, among other benefits, is driving segments of the food and beverage industry.
“Personalized nutrition is gaining momentum, propelled by technological advancements and a growing emphasis on health,” Ramirez-Arroyo noted. “Companies are introducing customizable product lines, developing AI-powered nutrition apps, and creating functional foods with targeted health advantages. Functional foods that promote cognitive health and emotional well-being are also gaining popularity. Ingredients like adaptogens, nootropics, and mood-enhancing botanicals are being featured in various products.”
Lifeway Foods Inc., a supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products, recently launched its newest functional beverage, Probiotic Smoothie + Collagen, made with kefir cultures to enhance skin health properties and other benefits.
Youthful consumers, who are fueling this trend, are more attentive to their dietary choices and seek increased transparency and advantages from the products they consume. A survey by Mintel revealed that 37% of female consumers in the U.S. were willing to pay extra for sports drinks offering benefits beyond sports performance. Collagen and antioxidants, beneficial for the skin, were the top two components of interest among women in that survey.
Snacking for Skin Health
Collagen powder gained popularity in the late 2010s, evolving into a $5.1 billion market in 2023. Collagen supplements have shown promise in enhancing skin hydration and elasticity in older individuals, potentially reducing wrinkles or promoting thicker hair growth. While hair loss or thinning is more prevalent in men, many women also encounter these issues with age.
Other ingredients recognized for their skincare benefits include Omega fatty acids, zinc, lycopene found in tomatoes, vitamins C, E, and A, antioxidants, and, of course, collagen. Ramirez-Arroyo predicts that adaptogens from mushrooms like Lion’s Mane will become popular in 2025 for their stress-reducing and immune system support properties.
Studies have shown that oral intake of aloe vera gel boosts collagen production and enhances skin elasticity. Another study demonstrated that adopting a healthy lifestyle and dietary changes can elongate telomeres in cell DNA, which are crucial for cellular aging.
Consuming antioxidants such as vitamins E and C can activate an enzyme in the body that has been proven to prevent oxidative damage that accelerates skin aging.
Snack foods infused with beneficial ingredients marketed to combat aging, hydrate the skin, and prevent acne are projected to be a prominent trend in 2025.
“A single pepper may offer certain benefits, but not everyone enjoys them. However, when these ingredients are combined in a bar, it becomes a tastier yet still healthy option. This expands the market appeal,” remarked Ramirez-Arroyo.