Glow Edition: The Science of Drinking Your Skincare

(5 min read)

Skip to:

• Meet Glow Edition
• Why Skin Barrier Health Is Everything
• What Makes Glow Edition Different
• Phyto-Ceramides: The Skin’s Natural “Glue”
• Hydration Beyond the Surface
• Vitamin A: Supporting Skin Renewal
• Antioxidant Defence
• Why Ingestible Skincare Works Best With Topicals
• Ingredient Summary
• References

For over a decade, we’ve been championing the power of ingestible beauty - long before it was fashionable to do so. And while the conversation has undeniably shifted, with nutrition now recognised as a vital pillar of the beauty industry, the skincare market remains largely focused on what we apply to the surface of the skin.

Serums, actives, acids, retinoids - these are undeniably powerful tools. We know them, we love them, and when used well, they absolutely deliver results. The rise of K-beauty has only amplified this surface-level focus, bringing with it ever more sophisticated actives, multi-step routines, injectables and devices, all designed to optimise the appearance of the skin from the outside in.

But most creams, serums and treatments work primarily on the very outer layers of the skin. While they can improve hydration, texture and radiance at the surface, they simply can’t reach the deeper layers where long-term skin change actually happens.

Skin is not just a surface. It is a living, dynamic organ, and its appearance is shaped by far more than what we apply to it. If you look at the skin cell cycle, by the time skin cells reach the outermost layer, they are already nearing the end of their life. In simple terms, by that point, the horse has already bolted.

What truly determines how skin looks and behaves - its hydration, smoothness, elasticity and glow - is governed deeper within, at a cellular level. The deeper layers of the skin, where collagen, elastin and healthy skin structure are formed, regenerate over months and even years. That process depends entirely on the nutrients available to skin cells.

Hydration and lipid balance, cell renewal, antioxidant status and barrier integrity are all regulated internally, and these biological processes directly influence what we see on the surface. Crucially, the stronger and healthier the skin barrier, the more effective your topical skincare becomes.

This is where ingestible beauty comes in.

By supplying targeted nutrients internally, we can support healthy skin cell production, collagen formation, inflammation control and hydration from within. These nutrients reach the living layers of the skin via the bloodstream - something no cream or serum can do.

So if you’re relying solely on skincare claims printed on a bottle, you’re missing a huge part of the picture.

Which brings us to our newest product - Glow Edition!

Meet Glow Edition

Glow Edition is the latest addition to our line of advanced ingestible beauty formulas. We’ve been formulating skin supplements for years, always guided by clinical insight and the most credible, cutting-edge ingredients in nutraceutical science. Our existing range covers many of the key foundations of skin health - but there was one gap that needed addressing.

Glow Edition was created for those who have done “all the right things” topically, yet still feel their skin could look smoother, more hydrated, more elastic, more luminous. (And to clarify: this is not our original Glow Edition, now renamed Rewind - this is an entirely new formulation.)

Glow Edition is not about replacing your skincare routine. It’s about enhancing it. Supporting the underlying biology that allows skincare - and makeup - to perform at their best, so you get more from everything you’re already doing.

Why Skin Barrier Health Is Everything

If healthy, glowing skin had a foundation, it would be the skin barrier. And if you’re chasing glass skin, this is where you have to begin.

The skin barrier lives in the outermost layer of the skin - the stratum corneum - and is often described using a “brick and mortar” model. Skin cells (corneocytes) act as the bricks, while lipids (primarily fats based compounds like ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids) form the mortar, or glue, that holds everything together.

When this barrier is intact:

• Skin retains moisture effectively
• Texture appears smooth and even
• Skin feels comfortable, supple and resilient
• Irritants and environmental stressors are kept out, while essential hydrating factors are locked in

When the barrier is compromised:

• Water loss increases
• Skin feels dry, tight or rough
• Fine lines appear more visible
• Sensitivity, redness and inflammation become more likely
• Skin can look dull, flat and lacklustre

Barrier disruption can occur for many reasons - both exogenous and endogenous.
Exogenous factors are those that come from outside the body, such as harsh skincare, over-exfoliation, UV exposure, pollution and climate stress. Endogenous factors come from within, including ageing, stress, hormonal changes, inflammation and nutrient depletion. Some individuals are also genetically more prone to barrier dysfunction, as seen in conditions like eczema.

Over time, and particularly with age, the skin naturally produces fewer ceramides. This decline is one of the key reasons skin becomes drier, less elastic and slower to recover - even when using good topical skincare.

Glow Edition was designed to address this decline from within using the latest in nutraceuticals.

What Makes Glow Edition Different

At the heart of the formula are two standout ingredients that work synergistically within the skin’s layers: phyto-ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

Phyto-Ceramides: The Skin’s Natural “Glue”

Ceramides make up around 50% of the lipids in the stratum corneum. Lipids are fat-like molecules that form the skin’s protective barrier - without them, skin cannot hold onto moisture or defend itself effectively.

Ceramides act like the glue that holds skin cells together. They prevent water loss, support smooth texture and maintain barrier integrity.

While ceramides are widely used in topical skincare and are very effective, ingestible ceramides (particularly phyto-ceramides, with phyto meaning they are plant-derived ceramides) are a newer but rapidly growing area of skin science, popularised by advanced K-beauty research.

How Ingestible Ceramides Work

Phyto-ceramides are structurally similar to the ceramides naturally found in human skin. What makes them particularly exciting is that when consumed orally, they can be absorbed, metabolised and incorporated into the skin’s lipid matrix - helping to replenish ceramide levels from within.

Human clinical studies show that oral ceramide supplementation can:

• Improve skin hydration
• Reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL)
• Improve overall skin barrier function
• Reduce visible dryness and roughness

In a landmark human study, oral glucosylceramide intake significantly improved skin barrier function and hydration within just a few weeks¹. Similar results have been replicated across multiple trials²^,³.

Glow Edition uses rice-derived phyto-ceramides, and these are special (and much loved in Korea) because they provide skin-identical lipids that help rebuild and reinforce the skin barrier - not just temporarily, but structurally.

Hydration Beyond the Surface

If ceramides are the glue, hyaluronic acid is the cushion.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule found throughout the skin and connective tissue. Its defining feature is its ability to bind large amounts of water (up to 1,000 times its own weight!) helping skin appear plump, smooth and elastic. This is one of the reasons it features so prominently in topical skincare regimens the world over.

However, while topical hyaluronic acid works primarily on the surface, ingestible hyaluronic acid works systemically.

What Happens When You Ingest Hyaluronic Acid?

Once consumed, hyaluronic acid is broken down into smaller fragments in the gut, absorbed into circulation, and distributed to tissues including the skin, where it supports hydration and barrier function from within.

Clinical studies demonstrate that oral hyaluronan:

• Improves skin moisture levels
• Reduces dryness and roughness
• Improves skin elasticity and smoothness

In one placebo-controlled human study, daily ingestion of hyaluronic acid significantly improved skin hydration and overall skin condition within weeks⁴. Another trial confirmed improvements in dry skin symptoms and texture⁵.

Of all the strategies for achieving a glass-skin effect, phyto-ceramides and hyaluronic acid together form a powerful combination. They work synergistically across the skin’s layers to improve both hydration and moisture retention.

By supporting hydration at this deeper level, Glow Edition helps skin:

• Feel more supple and elastic
• Absorb topical skincare more effectively
• Hold makeup better and for longer

Hopefully this explains why hydration isn’t just about water - it’s about the skin’s ability to retain it. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid work together to do exactly that and this is one of the things that makes Glow Edition so special.

Vitamin A: Supporting Skin Renewal From Within

Vitamin A is one of the most studied nutrients in dermatology. While topical retinoids are well known for their effects on skin texture, tone and renewal, vitamin A also plays a crucial internal role.

Vitamin A:

• Contributes to normal skin cell turnover
• Supports the maintenance of normal skin and mucous membranes*
• Plays a key role in epithelial tissue integrity, and if you’re wondering what this means - epithelial tissue is the type of tissue that makes up your skin and lines the surfaces of the body. Vitamin A supports how these cells grow, renew and stay tightly connected, which helps skin stay smooth, resilient and better able to protect itself. In simple terms, it helps skin cells form properly and work well together.. things that are essential for healthy-looking, well-functioning skin.

*The term “mucous membranes” may sound unappealing, but it’s actually fundamental to skin health. Every cell in the body is surrounded by a membrane - think of it as a gatekeeper, regulating what enters and leaves the cell. Healthy membranes are essential for hydration, nutrient exchange and overall cellular resilience.

As we age, skin cell turnover naturally slows, leading to dullness, uneven texture and loss of smoothness. By supporting normal renewal, vitamin A helps maintain a refined, well-conditioned complexion.

Our new Glow Edition contains retinyl acetate at 25% of the nutrient reference value - a supportive, moderate dose suitable for daily use.

Why We Use Vitamin A, Not Beta-Carotene

Some supplements rely on beta-carotene, which the body must convert into active vitamin A. However, a significant proportion of people convert beta-carotene inefficiently due to genetic variation, gut health or metabolic factors.

By using a preformed vitamin A source, Glow Edition ensures predictable, bioavailable support - without relying on individual conversion capacity.

A recent clinical trial showed that oral vitamin A supplementation, alongside topical care, improved skin ageing parameters more effectively than topical treatment alone⁶ - highlighting the benefit of an inside-out approach.

Antioxidant Defence: Amla Berry & Grape Seed Extract

Healthy, glowing skin isn’t just hydrated, it’s also protected. And once you’ve strengthened your skin barrier, the next priority is preserving it. This is where antioxidants come in.

Oxidative stress from UV exposure, pollution, stress and normal metabolic activity accelerates skin ageing by damaging lipids, proteins and DNA within skin cells. Over time, this contributes to dullness, uneven tone and barrier dysfunction.

Glow Edition introduces two antioxidant-rich ingredients new to EQUI: amla berry and grape seed extract - two ingredients our nutritionists have been saving for the right formulation.

Amla berry (Emblica officinalis)

Amla is a small, green fruit native to India and parts of Southeast Asia, traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. It is one of the richest natural sources of polyphenols and vitamin-like antioxidants.

In modern nutrition science, amla is valued for its ability to:

• Neutralise free radicals
• Support collagen integrity
• Protect skin from oxidative damage

Amla has also gained popularity in beauty circles - including in holistic skincare routines championed by celebs like Mirada Kerr - due to its skin-protective and revitalising properties. Its supportive antioxidant capacity makes it particularly relevant for modern life, such as those living in urban environments, not always managing to eat well, or perhaps even burning the candle at both ends.

The Beauty of Grape Seed Extract

Grape seed extract is derived from the seeds of wine grapes and is rich in proanthocyanidins, a class of potent antioxidants.

These compounds are known to:

• Protect against oxidative stress
• Support microcirculation
• Reinforce collagen and elastin structures
  

Research shows that grape seed polyphenols help protect tissues from free radical damage and support overall skin health⁷. When combined with barrier-supporting nutrients, antioxidants help preserve skin quality and resilience over time.

Ingredient Summary

Why Ingestible Skincare Works Best With Topicals

Glow Edition isn’t designed to replace your skincare routine — it’s designed to make it work harder.

Topical skincare is most effective when the skin barrier is strong, hydrated and resilient. When skin cells are well nourished internally, topical actives absorb more evenly, are better tolerated, and deliver more visible results.

• Serums apply and absorb more smoothly
• Active ingredients are better tolerated
• Makeup sits better on the skin
• Skin looks healthier, with or without makeup

Healthy, glowing skin is built through hydration, lipid balance, renewal and protection — all of which are biological processes that begin within.

Glow Edition supports these systems from the inside out, creating the optimal conditions for your skincare routine to perform at its best.

Because great skin doesn’t need a filter.

References

1. Asai S, Miyachi H, Koga T, Tsuchiya K, Miyazawa T. Oral administration of glucosylceramide improves skin barrier function in hairless mice and humans. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2012;76(4):679–684.
2. Uchiyama T, Nakano Y, Ueda O, Mori H, Nakashima M. Oral intake of ceramide improves dry skin conditions in humans. J Dermatol Sci. 2016;84(2):215–217.
3. Tsuji K, Mitsutake S, Ishikawa J, Takagi Y, Akiyama M, Shimizu H, et al. Dietary glucosylceramide improves skin barrier function and skin hydration in humans. J Nutr. 2006;136(10):2621–2627.
4. Oe M, Sakurai M, Yoshida H, Mikami K, Yasuda T, Kawada C. Oral hyaluronan relieves skin dryness and improves skin condition. Nutr J. 2017;16:70.
5. Kawada C, Kimura M, Masuda Y, Sakurai M. Ingested hyaluronan moisturizes dry skin. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2014;55(2):113–118.
6. Milani M, Colombo MD. Skin anti-aging effect of oral vitamin A supplementation in combination with topical retinoic acid treatment compared with topical treatment alone. Cosmetics (Basel). 2025;10(5):144.
7. Bagchi D, Bagchi M, Stohs SJ, Das DK, Ray SD, Kuszynski CA, et al. Free radicals and grape seed proanthocyanidin extract: importance in human health and disease prevention. J Med Food. 2000;3(2):93–104.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet or healthy lifestyle. Glow Edition is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If under medical supervision, consult a healthcare professional before use.