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Beauty Waters -- What Are They, And Do They Actually Work?

What's The Deal With Beauty Waters, And Do They Actually Work?
Cape Town, South Africa
Wavebreakmedia Ltd via Getty Images
Cape Town, South Africa

We all know H20 is good for you (though some of us may struggle fitting in the requisite 8-10 glasses a day) but what about these so-called "beauty waters"?

With names such as Collagen Inner Beauty Boost and Silica Liquid , these liquid beauty enhancers claim to give "nutritional support for collagen formation," which, in turn, helps to "create smoother, firmer skin that is free from wrinkles, fine lines and damage from free-radicals"

Sounds good. But do they actually work?

"If the manufacturer is using quality ingredients that support the underpinning of collagen, then yes, there will be benefits in something that is, quote 'an anti-ageing beauty product'," nutritional medicine practitioner, Michele Chevalley Hedge told The Huffington Post Australia.

"There are beauty waters out there which are all marketing hype. But if there are evidence-based manufacturers who are providing high levels of vitamin C -- which is the foundation of our collagen synthesis -- in their products, these can be beneficial."

Sydney dietitian Lyndi Polivnick said it's important to check the labels to make sure you're getting the right kind of nutrients.

"My first thoughts are -- 'is this just an expensive drink that promises amazing results?'," Polivnick told HuffPost Australia. "But the ones that show the most promise are the ones that have probiotics in them.

"Probiotics can help us with things like our mood and the texture and quality of our skin.

"In terms of something like chlorophyll water -- I wouldn’t be spending my money on that. You can get the same nutrients from food for a lot less money."

Sydney City nutritionist Jennifer May recommended chlorophyll as a supplement -- but only if you were struggling with bowel issues.

"Chlorophyll is a natural laxative -- if you're really struggling with constipation, that will ultimately will affect the skin -- so I'd say it's effective for energy levels and to work as a natural laxative, but that's probably it.

"Unless you are actually suffering from constipation or really pushing your body to the limits and need extra nutrition, I'd stick to your daily greens."

When it comes to silica, all three nutritionists agree it's good for you -- though you can easily find it in natural sources.

"Silica is in cucumber, celery, apples, strawberries and even mangoes," May said. "I would definitely suggest incorporating those foods into your diet -- for instance, start the day with a smoothie made out of some of those sources.

"Cucumber is one of the most amazing ways to treat the skin. The beauty industry has known about this for a really long time. One of the reasons it’s so effective is because of the silica it contains.

"A great thing to do is get a big jugs of water and slice cucumbers through it -- add some lemon and lime juice for extra vitamin C and antioxidants -- it's a really good drink."

Polivnick also encourages people to make their own 'beauty' waters using natural ingredients.

"Drinking water is the best way to clear your skin," Polivnick said. "It's going to help naturally detox the rubbish that clogs up our pores.

"In my opinion it's a much cheaper, healthier, better option. And if you need to add a little bit of something like lemon or cucumbers or mint or to your water -- why not. What's even better to do is add pomegranate seeds. They are yummy and pretty."

But if you're still in the market for a store-bought beauty water, Chevalley Hedge says it pays to do your research.

"What it really comes down to is the efficacy of the manufacturer," Chevalley Hedge told HuffPost Australia.

"The good news is as the world is getting smarter around wellness and nutritional well-being and about what nutrition can do for us in terms of our vanity, which means manufacturers have to come out with some really quality products.

"There are certainly benefits associated with deep coloured berry fruits -- blueberries, cherries, raspberries -- all of these work on strengthening the connective tissue matrix. Is it possible to be drinking these things? Yes. However it is my professional feeling that it's better to get these things from real fruit just by eating them."

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