The Rise of Collagen Supplements... and in 2026, Silicon Supplements Will Take Center Stage for Their Proven Effectiveness

(Illustrative Image)

Silicon: A Dietary Supplement Reveals Its Benefits for the Skin

Dietary supplements are a fundamental support for beauty routines when taken as part of a holistic approach that cares for skin health from the inside out. This explains the surge in popularity of collagen supplements in recent years. However, it seems that 2026 will be the year that silicon supplements take center stage, as they have begun to prove their effectiveness in maintaining youthful skin.

Silicon is commonly used in electronics manufacturing, but it is also found in sand, quartz, and living organisms. Organic silicon is present in our body's connective tissues, with higher concentrations in bones, skin, hair, teeth, and cartilage. It is the most abundant mineral in the human body after iron and zinc. But just like collagen, silicon levels in the body begin to gradually decline from the age of twenty.

Its properties and benefits:

Silicon, a trace mineral naturally found in the body, plays a key role in the formation of collagen and elastin, which maintain the skin's smoothness, elasticity, and firmness. Simply put, silicon helps support the structure that binds skin fibers together, contributing to the strengthening of connective tissue and supporting skin hydration and elasticity. When its levels in the body are adequate, the skin is able to maintain its structure. Its benefits often extend beyond the skin to include the health of hair and nails as well.

Taking silicon supplements helps support fibroblast function, which contributes to maintaining the skin's structural framework composed of collagen and elastin fibers. Other supplements, such as collagen peptides and biotin, also contribute to a noticeable improvement in skin texture, hydration, and elasticity. Dermatologists point to key benefits of silicon supplements that are still largely unknown:

• Silicon stimulates collagen production in the scalp and activates keratin production, the protein that makes up hair, giving it vitality, health, and shine.

• Strengthens nails and combats brittleness.

• Beneficial for bone health, it works alongside calcium to strengthen bones and helps prevent osteoporosis.

• Stimulates the immune system.

• Improves hydration and vitality.

Silicon is a dietary supplement that the body generally tolerates well, but it is not suitable for people with kidney disease. It is also advised to avoid taking it during pregnancy and breastfeeding without medical supervision.

Rich sources of silicon:

Many plant-based foods contain varying amounts of silicon, but a diet rich in processed foods and low in vegetables and whole grains does not provide sufficient amounts. Signs of silicon deficiency include weak hair, brittle nails, and dull skin. The best food sources of this mineral are: leafy green vegetables, bananas, green beans, brown rice, oats, potatoes, lentils, fresh peas, garlic, and onions.

Most of us consume between 20 and 50 milligrams of silicon daily through diet, and supplements, if taken, provide a similar amount, thus supporting the health and vitality of the body in general and the skin in particular.