Summer Glow: Supplements to Nourish Your Skin & Hair This Season

Sunshine, fresh air, and salty waves—it’s the best time of year to feel good in your skin. But between beach days and backyard barbecues, summer can take a real toll on your hair and complexion. 

While SPF is non-negotiable, there’s more to summer wellness than what you put on your skin. The real glow-up starts from within.

In this guide, we’ll explore how summer conditions affect your skin and hair—and the best nutrients to restore hydration, reduce sun damage, and boost your natural radiance from the inside out. Let’s turn summer into your most vibrant season yet!

3 Common Summer Stressors That Sabotage Your Glow

Hotter days come with their own set of beauty challenges. If you’ve ever felt tight, flaky skin or noticed extra frizz or breakouts after a long day outside, you’re not alone. The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 AM and 4 PM, which means your skin is more susceptible to damage during these peak hours, even on cloudy days when UV rays can still pierce through. Here’s why:

1. Dry, Sun-Damaged Skin

While the summer sun may feel amazing on your skin, too much exposure can leave it bone dry and susceptible. Even after just a day outdoors, UV rays can strip your skin of moisture, causing dryness, tightness, and visible flaking.[1] Under the surface, UV light triggers inflammation, contributing to redness, sensitivity, and, in more severe cases, sunburn.[2] 

We already age fast enough as it is, but in the long term, a cycle of sun exposure weakens your skin’s protective barrier, potentially causing chronic dryness, a rougher texture, and an increase in fine lines and wrinkles. It also depletes the collagen and elastin—the proteins that keep your skin firm and youthful.[1]

Presumably, the most worrying aspect of repeated sun damage is the increased risk of precancerous lesions and skin cancers. Studies show that the more lifetime sunburns you have, the greater your chances of developing melanoma.[3] 

2. Brittle, Thinning Hair

The sun doesn’t just impact your skin—it can also damage your hair. After just a few hours of UV exposure, the harsh rays can suck out the moisture and weaken the hair strands from the inside out.[4] 

At first, you might just notice hair that feels rough, dry, and harder to style, but over time, frizz, tangles, and breakage can become more common. And if the hair receives enough repeated exposure, the protein structure of the follicle can weaken, resulting in chronic brittleness and thinning—that’s not a healthy look.[4]

3. Inflammation & Breakouts

Sometimes it’s easy to forget how quickly the sun can impact your skin. If you’re spending more than a couple of hours in the sunshine, you can develop a sunburn as your body triggers an inflammatory response to ultraviolet rays.[2] In addition, the combination of sun, sweat, and excess oil production can clog your pores, sometimes causing breakouts on your face, chest, and back within 1-3 days.[5] After this, the sun-damaged skin can temporarily become more sensitive and is more likely to react to skincare products or additional sun exposure. 

If this pattern continues, your skin barrier can weaken, and may lead to long-term issues such as rosacea flare-ups, persistent acne, and heightened sensitivity.[6] And if you’re acne-prone, sun exposure can darken marks left by old breakouts or cause hyperpigmentation.[5] 

The Best Nutrients for Summer Skin & Hair Support

A few targeted supplements can help restore balance, protect against future damage, and keep your skin and hair healthy all season long. Here’s what to look for:

Probiotics

A calm, balanced gut = clear, glowing skin.

Summer travel, sugary cocktails, and changes in routine can disrupt your gut microbiome. Since your digestive system and skin are deeply connected (hello, gut-skin axis), probiotics can be key to avoiding inflammation and breakouts.

Benefits include: [15,16]

• Supports gut and digestive health

• Promotes immune function and energy

• Helps maintain clear, balanced skin

Try this: Pattern Wellness’s Probiotic delivers 51 billion CFUs from 11 carefully chosen strains in delayed-release capsules for maximum absorption—perfect for busy summer schedules.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Think of these as hydration from the inside out.

Omega-3s are healthy fats that combat inflammation and help lock moisture into your skin and scalp. They’re ideal for reducing flakiness, restoring glow, and calming post-sun sensitivity.

Benefits include: [7,8,9]

• Supports smoother, hydrated skin

• Reduces inflammation and post-sun breakouts

• Strengthens skin’s natural moisture barrier

• Helps minimize hair brittleness

Try this: Our mindfully derived Omega-3 (enteric-coated) softgels are rich in EPA + DHA from Peruvian fish and subtly lemon-flavored to nix the fishy aftertaste.

Vitamin C

A glow-getter’s best friend!

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps your skin fight off free radicals from UV exposure, and it’s essential for collagen production, too, providing the body with amino acids like proline and glycine that support keratin production and hair follicle health. [10,11]

Benefits include: [12]

• Reduces signs of photoaging (wrinkles, dark spots)

• Promotes a brighter, more even tone

• Enhances elasticity and hydration

• Accelerates skin recovery from sun exposure

Try this: Pattern Wellness’s Greens Powder delivers a natural dose of Vitamin C through 7 nutrient-rich whole foods, superfoods, and antioxidant blends—great for morning smoothies and easily supporting common dietary gaps.

Collagen

Your internal scaffolding for hair and skin strength.

The most abundant protein in your body, collagen, works to maintain skin’s firmness and hair’s resilience through sun, salt, and heat.

Benefits include: [13,14]

• Supports stronger, fuller hair

• Promotes firm, youthful skin

• Helps maintain skin elasticity and structure

• Nourishes follicles for better hair growth

Try this: Pattern Wellness’s Collagen Powder features types I and III from pasture-raised, hormone-free beef. Stir into warm tea or coffee for a calming nightly ritual.

Your Daily Summer Glow Routine

Want to get the most out of your skin and hair supplements this summer? Timing matters. With just a few small habit shifts, you can seamlessly build these nutrients into your daily rhythm for consistent, glow-boosting support—no overwhelm required.

Morning Routine:

Start your day with a scoop of Greens Powder mixed into water, a smoothie, or juice. It delivers a natural source of Vitamin C along with a powerful blend of fruits, veggies, antioxidants, and adaptogens to energize your body and support radiant skin from within.

Later in the morning, take your Probiotic with water. A balanced gut is essential for clear, calm skin and optimal digestion, especially when summer routines throw things off.

Midday Tips:

Around lunchtime, incorporate Omega-3 for long-lasting hydration. Pair your Omega-3 supplement with a summer-friendly lunch like a grilled salmon salad, avocado toast, quinoa bowls with olive oil, or even a simple wrap with hummus. The healthy fats in these meals, combined with Omega-3s, can help support skin hydration and a calm, balanced complexion.

Evening Wind-Down:

Your body does its best healing and repair work while you sleep, making nighttime an ideal window to nourish it from within. Adding Collagen Powder to a calming herbal tea is an easy way to get your daily dose of amino acids right when your body can put them to work.

Fuel Your Glow from the Inside Out!

Whether you’re hitting the beach, the trails, or just your backyard, summer should feel good—on your skin, in your body, and in your mood.

By focusing on internal support with nutrient-dense supplements, you can defend against UV damage, maintain smoother skin, and enjoy stronger, healthier hair all season long!

 Ready to glow smarter this summer? Explore Pattern Wellness’s curated essentials and start building your internal beauty routine today.

We've gone ahead and enclosed a 10% OFF coupon below to help you with your pattern of wellness, because feeling your best starts with the right support. Click here to start shopping!

Resources:

1. Rittié, L., & Fisher, G. J. (2015). Natural and sun-induced aging of human skin. Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine, 5(1), a015370. https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a015370 

2. Hruza, L. L., & Pentland, A. P. (1993). Mechanisms of UV-induced inflammation. The Journal of investigative dermatology, 100(1), 35S–41S. https://doi.org/10.1111/1523-1747.ep12355240 

3. Dennis, L. K., Vanbeek, M. J., Beane Freeman, L. E., Smith, B. J., Dawson, D. V., & Coughlin, J. A. (2008). Sunburns and risk of cutaneous melanoma: does age matter? A comprehensive meta-analysis. Annals of epidemiology, 18(8), 614–627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2008.04.006 

4. Sebetić, K., Sjerobabski Masnec, I., Cavka, V., Biljan, D., & Krolo, I. (2008). UV damage of the hair. Collegium antropologicum, 32 Suppl 2, 163–165. 

5. Piquero-Casals, J., Carrascosa, J. M., Morgado-Carrasco, D., Narda, M., Trullas, C., Granger, C., & Fabbrocini, G. (2021). The Role of Photoprotection in Optimizing the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis. Dermatology and therapy, 11(2), 315–325. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-021-00495-y 

6. Morgado-Carrasco, D., Granger, C., Trullas, C., & Piquero-Casals, J. (2021). Impact of ultraviolet radiation and exposome on rosacea: Key role of photoprotection in optimizing treatment. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 20(11), 3415–3421. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14020 

7. Huang, T. H., Wang, P. W., Yang, S. C., Chou, W. L., & Fang, J. Y. (2018). Cosmetic and Therapeutic Applications of Fish Oil's Fatty Acids on the Skin. Marine drugs, 16(8), 256. https://doi.org/10.3390/md16080256 

8. Balić, A., Vlašić, D., Žužul, K., Marinović, B., & Bukvić Mokos, Z. (2020). Omega-3 Versus Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Prevention and Treatment of Inflammatory Skin Diseases. International journal of molecular sciences, 21(3), 741. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21030741 

9. Zanzottera, F., Bizzaro, G., Michelotti, A., & Nobile, V. (2017). Efficacy of a nutritional supplement, standardized in fatty acids and phytosterols, on hair loss and hair health in both women and men. Journal of Cosmetology & Trichology, 03(02). https://doi.org/10.4172/2471-9323.1000121 

10. Telang P. S. (2013). Vitamin C in dermatology. Indian dermatology online journal, 4(2), 143–146. https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-5178.110593 

11. DePhillipo, N. N., Aman, Z. S., Kennedy, M. I., Begley, J. P., Moatshe, G., & LaPrade, R. F. (2018). Efficacy of Vitamin C Supplementation on Collagen Synthesis and Oxidative Stress After Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Systematic Review. Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, 6(10), 2325967118804544. https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967118804544 

12. Pullar, J. M., Carr, A. C., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2017). The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients, 9(8), 866. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9080866 

13. Proksch, E., Segger, D., Degwert, J., Schunck, M., Zague, V., & Oesser, S. (2014). Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Skin pharmacology and physiology, 27(1), 47–55. https://doi.org/10.1159/000351376 

14. Pappelbaum, K. I., Virgilio, N., Epping, L., van der Steen, B., Jimenez, F., Funk, W., Prawitt, J., & Bertolini, M. (2024). Revealing novel insights on how oral supplementation with collagen peptides may prevent hair loss: Lessons from the human hair follicle organ culture. Journal of Functional Foods, 116, 106124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2024.106124 

15. Singh, V. P., Sharma, J., Babu, S., Rizwanulla, & Singla, A. (2013). Role of probiotics in health and disease: a review. JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 63(2), 253–257.

16. Wieërs, G., Belkhir, L., Enaud, R., Leclercq, S., Philippart de Foy, J. M., Dequenne, I., de Timary, P., & Cani, P. D. (2020). How Probiotics Affect the Microbiota. Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology, 9, 454. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2019.00454