This is the result of tipping out one of my cupboards and putting some of the supplements that I’m told I should be taking onto my kitchen island. Most of these tubs are half-empty where I’ve started to take them and then forgotten to keep up with the routine.
After 27 years in the industry, I’ve been pushed to buy every “miracle” pill that there is, but nothing quite compares to the complete deluge of supplements we’re seeing right now. It’s clearly become a massive, multi-billion dollar money-making business, and I’ll be the first to admit that even I’ve been bought into it. As a beauty editor running my own business, I’m constantly challenged by making a financial return. The supplement industry is a tempting one; there is a big pot of money sitting there just waiting for anyone with a name for themselves to put their name against a bottle.
Reach Over Results: The Celebrity "Gloss" Trap
I’ve navigated this before - I had one sponsorship about three years ago that paid about $2,000 in return for talking about them on an Instagram reel. At the time I’d tested the supplements over 4 months and did really like them, so I was happy to put my name against the brand. But now, as the industry takes over and becomes so ‘shouty’, I’m not sure how comfortable I feel promoting brands that have results that are hard to measure. Many brands seem to pay anyone to speak about them, as long as they have a "name" and can give them the reach.
I feel like they aren’t really talking to real women about the results they’re getting. When you see a celebrity who looks great, is it really these supplements giving them their "gloss"? I highly doubt it. How do we really know that they work? I’ve even known some brands to send out supplements and pay people to promote them when they don’t even expect them to give them a fair trial.
So, how do we know that supplements work?
On social media, the reels and posts that are selling supplements have almost become white noise. And so I think it’s finally time for us to strip back and really understand the ones that we should be trying. That’s why I brought nutritionist Amanda Ryder back onto my podcast, Smiling Gives You Wrinkles, to give us her ‘supplement audit’ and share the ones she really believes in - from clinical studies and her own clinic - and the ones that she thinks all women should take.
The Clean List: Brands to Trust
When you are spending your hard-earned money, Amanda insists on pharmaceutical-grade quality over pretty packaging. Her trusted list includes:
Bare Biology (Amanda’s personal choice for Collagen, Fish Oil, and Creatine)
The Gut Sabotage: Why Your Body Might Be Rejecting Your Supplements
I asked Amanda if it was possible to take too many supplements, and her answer was a revelation. It turns out that some of those ‘shouty’ brands we see all over social media aren’t just a waste of money - they might actually be sabotaging your gut and straining your liver. If you’ve ever wondered why your body seems to be ‘rejecting’ those half-empty tubs on your counter, this is why:
These are the 6 essential supplements for your 40s and 50s.
Amanda’s philosophy is that food comes first, but for women in our age bracket, these six supports can bridge the gap:
Magnesium Glycinate: The ultimate “helper molecule” for sleep, anxiety, and muscle relaxation.
Creatine Monohydrate: Her top recommendation for maintaining muscle mass and clearing brain fog.
Omega-3 Fish Oils: Essential “oil for the engine” to fight midlife inflammation and dry skin.
Vitamin D: A non-negotiable for immunity and bone health, especially during the winter months.
Collagen (Bovine & Marine): To support skin elasticity and joint health as our natural levels decline.
Vitamin C & B12: Targeted support for energy and helping your body actually synthesize the proteins you’re taking.In an industry that often buys reach over results, the best thing you can do is to stop buying the hype and start studying the ingredients list.
Which ones do you take and rate? Do you think Amanda’s missed any?
Personally, I get so overwhelmed that I end up taking none, but I’m definitely going to give some these a try. In fact, I scooped some creatine into my water before the gym this morning already :-)
If you want to listen to the full episode with Amanda, then please support my podcast Smiling Gives You Wrinkles ♡