For years, skincare meant what you put on your skin. That definition is changing. Across the industry, a growing share of new product launches now carry a beauty-from-within claim, and the shift is no longer a niche interest. It reflects a broader move toward skin health that starts beneath the surface, not just on it.
At All Saint Clinic, we have always taken the view that lasting results come from supporting the skin's own function, not overriding it. It is a philosophy set by our founder, Dr Joseph Hkeik, who also serves as Medical Director for Par Olive, the ingestible skincare brand available across our clinics.
We asked him what ingestible skincare actually is, what it can realistically do, and where it fits into a treatment plan.
What is ingestible skincare?
Ingestible skincare refers to supplements, usually taken daily, formulated to support skin health from within rather than through topical application. Rather than sitting on the skin's surface, these formulas work at a structural level, supporting collagen production, hydration and the skin's natural resilience over time.
It is not a replacement for topical skincare or in-clinic treatment. It is a third input, working alongside both.
Why oxidative stress matters more than people realise
Much of the case for ingestible skincare comes down to oxidative stress, a process most of us are exposed to daily through sun, pollution, and normal metabolism. Left unchecked, oxidative stress gradually affects collagen, elasticity and skin resilience, contributing to dullness, loss of firmness and uneven tone over time.
"Oxidative stress is something we're all exposed to daily," says Dr Hkeik. "It's not the only factor in ageing, but it's one of the key internal processes that influences how the skin evolves." Antioxidants help neutralise free radicals before they disrupt healthy skin cells.
Taken consistently, they support the skin's ability to maintain balance and structural strength, rather than producing an immediate cosmetic change.
The third pillar of skin health
Dr Hkeik describes ingestibles as completing what he calls the third pillar of skin health, where skincare, in-clinic treatment and internal nutrition work together.
"Ingestibles support the deeper foundations of the skin," he says. "They strengthen collagen structure, reinforce the barrier and improve the skin's ability to recover. Used consistently, they complement everything we do in clinic."
This is a meaningful distinction. Topical actives and in-clinic treatments largely work on the skin you can see. Ingestible skincare is designed to support the structures beneath it, the collagen network, cellular renewal and barrier function that determine how skin ages and how it responds to everything else you do for it.
Who should consider it, and when to start
There is no single age at which internal antioxidant support becomes relevant. Rather than a reaction to visible ageing, it is better understood as a proactive habit, one that becomes worth considering as soon as someone is thinking seriously about maintaining their long-term skin health rather than correcting it after the fact.
"Collagen decline, slower cellular turnover and cumulative oxidative stress all begin beneath the surface," Dr Hkeik notes. "By the time we notice lines, laxity or changes in tone, those internal shifts have often been occurring for years."
What we recommend
Dr Hkeik takes the Par Olive Marine Collagen Superpowder each morning, describing it as a daily non-negotiable alongside his topical routine. The formula is available in clinic and formulated to support hydration, collagen and skin resilience with consistent use.
As with any addition to a skin health routine, we recommend discussing ingestible skincare with your Aesthetic Doctor or Dermal Therapist first, particularly if you are preparing for or recovering from a treatment. It is one part of a considered plan, not a stand-alone fix.
Dr Joseph Hkeik is the founder of All Saint Clinic and Medical Director of Le Petit Saint. He also serves as Medical Director for Par Olive, drawing on his clinical experience to guide the brand's approach to skin longevity and internal antioxidant support.
Par Olive products are via our online store and in clinic at our Double Bay, Mosman, Balmain and North Parramatta locations.
