If you've followed along with me here on Who What Wear, you probably know that I struggle with my skin. And if you haven't, welcome! I'm Who What Wear's beauty editor, and stubborn acne is my complexion's default setting. It's something I've struggled with since college (somehow, I had impeccably clear, smooth skin all through my childhood and high school), and I've tried virtually everything under the sun to help abate the situation. Some products, treatments, and supplements have proven themselves quite capable, but I've also experienced my fair share of skin fails. C'est la vie, and I've pretty much come to accept the fact I will more than likely never have the clear, perfectly poreless skin of my dreams. Alas, that certainly doesn't mean I won't try!
I've always been a huge fan of Moon Juice, and if you took a peep at my pantry, fridge, and beauty drawers, you'd find the brand healthily sprinkled throughout. In the past few years, Moon Juice has launched specialty capsules geared toward mood, stress, and hair health (SuperYou and SuperHair, I'm looking at you!), and the latest buzzworthy capsule launch is an anti-aging supplement called SuperBeauty, which brims with combative antioxidants designed to fight, counteract, and improve signs of aging like lines, wrinkles, dullness, the like.
In fact, when SuperBeauty soft-launched a little over a month ago, I had the chance to chat with Moon Juice's founder, Amanda Chantal Bacon, about the formula, and she told me she basically designed SuperBeauty (as she does with every Moon Juice formula) for herself and to cater to what her body was currently needing, craving, or perhaps lacking.
"I created this formula because I started to notice some rapid changes that happened within my body," Chantal opens up. "I'm in my mid-30s, and I'm not fear-based around aging. I have no illusions around the fact that everyone ages, and it's a natural process that can be healthy. But I started to notice these changes that felt less healthy and more like signs of accelerated aging. Which, from my experience as someone who has put an autoimmune condition into remission, always points to stress."
When I asked Chantal Bacon what some of these new signs entailed, she shared that almost overnight, she had lots of new gray hairs coming in; an increase in sun damage–esque spots, which she described as blurry and similar to melasma (mostly located on her forearms); and last but not least, the loss and breakdown of elasticity, which she says interestingly wasn't happening on her face so much as other less expected places like her knees, wrists, and arms.
Wanting answers, Chantal Bacon opted for oxidative stress tests (versus a normal blood panel) and found that her glutathione levels were really low. Used for all cellular processes within the body, glutathione has been coined by many experts as "the master antioxidant," thus it made sense to Chantal Bacon that her depleted stores could be contributing to her side effects, which pointed to sluggish cellular renewal processes.
While other important antioxidants like vitamins C and E are household names, Chantal Bacon explains to me that only in the past few years have we been able to get glutathione in a form that the human body is able to assimilate—in a reduced glutathione form. So while the substance might not have the buzz of other popular vitamins and minerals we hear touted over and over again within the industry, Chantal Bacon predicts it's the start of something big, even if it does take a few more years to truly catch on.
Luckily for us, Chantal Bacon is one step ahead, dug into the research, collaborated with scientists, and developed the ultimate antioxidant-rich, anti-aging supplement in SuperBeauty. Intrigued, and because Chantal Bacon told me just three or four weeks of taking glutathione on its own significantly improved the symptoms she described, I had to try her supercharged formula for myself. Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about Moon Juice's newest supplement and my personal review after taking it for a full 30 days.
The Alleged Benefits
While SuperYou's potential lies in its mood-boosting and stress-reducing power, and SuperHair's potential lies in its mane protection and growth promotion, SuperBeauty is all about embracing, reawakening, and improving our skin's natural anti-aging process, essentially helping you look glowy, lifted, and as healthy as possible from the inside out. There's no stopping the clock, and the gradual slowing down of our skin's cellular regeneration process is inevitable, but as Chantal Bacon explained to me, it's never too late to reboot the system. (Even if you've already started to experience symptoms like hers or have noticed the fine lines around your eyes intensifying.)
"Age is measured on a cellular level," the brand explains on its website. "The epigenetic clock is dynamic—daily habits speed it up or slow it down. Your tick rate is accelerated when you have more pro-oxidants than antioxidants in your body. Pro-oxidants attack cells and cause inflammation, which is the root cause of accelerated aging. Slow your tick rate and reduce oxidative stress with antioxidants."
Glutathione is SuperBeauty's hero ingredient, and the brand considers it to be the body's master antioxidant. "It's naturally found in every cell, but stress and age deplete it. Optimal glutathione levels protect the longevity and vitality of your cells. It’s never too late to regenerate."
To sum it all up, SuperBeauty's main talking points and purported benefits include the minimization of fine lines and wrinkles; the promotion of collagen; the improvement of elasticity; the protection of protein, lipids, and DNA from oxidative damage; and the neutralization of free radicals.
What's Inside
Take a scroll through Amazon (or practically any retailer for that matter), and you'll likely encounter hundreds of supplements touting antioxidants and skin-clearing perks. SuperBeauty is especially strategic in its competition, and as Chantal Bacon explained to me over the phone, nailing that her composition with 10/10 finesse was truly a labor of love for her.
In accordance with the entire Moon Juice family of supplements, SuperBeauty is made with ingredients boasting only the highest sourcing standards. If you take a look at the brand's website, you'll read that it only sources the "best in class ingredients," which are explained as highly potent and bioactive to endure maximum absorption, organic whenever possible, and pharmacopeia grade. For SuperBeauty, specifically, Moon Juice also notes it has tested for identification, purity, heavy metals, pesticides, microbiological safety, and other contaminants.
Ingredient-wise, you're looking at some really unique choreography—a fab five of antioxidant heavy hitters. Glutathione is a "master antioxidant" and SuperBeauty's MVP. It's naturally found in every cell of the body and works to maintain healthy cellular function while potentiating vitamins C and E. Then comes N-Acetyl-Cysteine, another antioxidant that serves as a precursor of glutathione. Vitamins C and E help regenerate and protect protein lipids and DNA from oxidative damage. Next, and derived from microalgae, the buzzy antioxidant astaxanthin aids in skin elasticity and helps reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. And last but not least, an adaptogen called Schisandra supports skin clarity and healthy hydration levels.
My Review
A quick note that I want to say with some transparency right off the bat—as much as I love Moon Juice and the majority of the brand's ingenious skincare formulas, potions, and dusts, its other supplements (which are very popular and beloved, BTW) haven't agreed with me. Biotin (which is in SuperHair, $60) happens to break me out, and the potent mix of adaptogens in SuperYou ($49) makes me feel a bit dizzy and borderline drunk. Over the years, I've learned I'm extremely sensitive to adaptogens, and while so many people I know swear by SuperYou, it's just not a fit for my system. But please, you do you! This is just further proof to remember supplements should be taken seriously, and you should consult a medical professional and do your research before you add anything to your routine.
Given my past Moon Juice supplement history, it makes sense that while I was trying to play Switzerland (aka neutral) and remain hopeful to the healing and skin-boosting properties Chantal Bacon psyched me up for, I was also a tad nervous to add SuperBeauty into my daily routine.
All that to say, and 30 days in hindsight, I really had nothing to worry about. In fact, I had a lot to look forward to. First things first, let's talk about the capsules themselves. They're not the largest pills I've seen or made myself throw back, but they're not necessarily small. (Just something to be aware of if you have trouble swallowing pills.)
Chantal Bacon directed me to take two SuperBeauty capsules per day with or without food and preferably in the morning when our natural glutathione levels are at their lowest. Despite their size, I found the pretty pink capsules went down easily before my early morning run and on an empty stomach with surprising ease. Rarely can I take any type of pill on an empty stomach without getting seriously nauseous, so that was a huge perk for me (especially since if I don't take a supplement first thing in the morning, I usually forget to take it altogether).
I never want to be the beauty editor who says you should or shouldn't take a supplement. I've consulted enough professionals (and have been disappointed often enough) to know what works for one person might not work for another and vice versa. However, after taking SuperBeauty daily for about three weeks, my skin started to look, um, really good. Of course, I had recently gotten a special acne treatment called Sebacia to help clear my breakouts, and I was paying special heed to my skincare regimen, but I couldn't help noticing the difference. My complexion looks brighter and more even, the texture was smoother, and my smile lines and the fine wrinkles around my eye area looked less pronounced. I'm usually a stickler for my nightly eye cream application, but the area began to look more taut and so much less shadowy that I honestly forgot to slather it on a couple of nights.
Overall, my skin just looked (and felt!) healthier. Sure, I still noticed a few painful pimples before my period, and my skin is still far from being perfectly even and clear, but there's no denying the natural bounce and dewiness it's gained since I started my SuperBeauty regimen. I do think my carefully edited skincare routine, a healthy diet, and said Sebacia treatment have played a significant role in my skin's gradual improvement over the past few months, but I think SuperBeauty has most definitely wielded a helping hand and expedited my clear-skin goals. I've used up my first bottle, but I'm hoping to keep up the momentum, and I've already ordered my next supply.
More Moon Juice Products I Love
I know I'm supposed to be talking about beauty products and not my snacking habits, but I am truly addicted to these insanely healthy crisps. This Cumin & Chard flavor is my favorite, and I'll choose them any day over any other cracker or chip.
Moon Juice markets this collagen-promoting powder as "skincare you can drink." No judgment for people who love other collagen supplements, but this vegan blend is more my taste. It's a creamy, glow-inducing addition to my morning latte ritual.
Not only does this pretty pink powder make a ho-hum glass of water taste like a mixed-berry parfait, but it's also proven clutch for managing anxiety, nixing insomnia, and keeping digestion, well, regular.
I'm pretty much a fiend for all three of Moon Juice's delicious Cosmic mixes. (It also has gold turmeric and matcha situations.) That said, being the chocolate-loving human I am, it's this cocoa mix decked out with other adaptogens like ashwagandha, Shatavari, and Reishi that's stolen (and thoroughly warmed) my heart. I'll sip it straight with hot water or almond milk, or sometimes I'll add a spoonful to my morning coffee or a smoothie.
I'm not going to lie—I own almost every single dust Moon Juice makes. But I have some favorites, with this best-selling beauty blend of Schisandra berry, amla berry, and pearl being at the top of my personal pecking order.
Due to my aforementioned love of all things chocolate or cocoa-flavored, it's no surprise Sex Dust (which melds delicious fares like cacao powder, shilajit extract, Shatavari, horny goat weed, maca, and Schisandra berry) is another one of my most-reached-for Moon Dusts.
I've been adding a small dose of pearl powder into my smoothies for a couple of years now. I can't say for sure whether it's made a huge difference, but it feels luxurious, and it's the little things, right? Plus, it's a naturally rich source of calcium, which I'm sure my bones, skin, and nails aren't mad at.
I'm an every-morning-smoothie type of gal, and I always go with a vegan, plant-based formula since things like dairy or whey irritate my stomach. I'm obsessed with all three of the flavor options from Moon Juice, but the Blue Beauty formula (which features dreamy things like ashwagandha, amla, and blue spirulina) has to be my favorite, and it has adaptogenic-induced de-stressing perks to boot.
Maca is said to help with all sorts of things like mood, healthy sexual energy, and libido. I have to be honest and say I haven't noticed a direct correlation, but I do love the slightly nutty taste (which is slightly reminiscent of caramel?) and regularly add it to my smoothies, oatmeal, or coffee.
I'm a notorious insomniac, so I've found coupling Magnesi-om and Moon Juice's Night Beauty powder to be extremely helpful in terms of ample beauty sleep insurance. The mix of goji berry, jujube seed, Schisandra, chamomile, Rehmannia root, polygala, amla, pearl, and ashwagandha is unique and very tasty and comforting come nighttime.
More Moon Juice Products Associate Beauty Editor Courtney Higgs Loves
This serum has been at the forefront of my skincare routine for at least two years now. It seriously lives up to its name and always leaves my face visibly plumped and hydrated. I like to press it into my mug morning and night to make sure my skin is constantly attracting all the moisture it can.
You'd never know by looking at my vanity, but I think it took me longer than most beauty editors to get on board with chemical exfoliating. I was worried my skin would become sensitized or explode into some kind of rash. That's not been the case for me thanks in huge part to gentle formulas like this AHA/BHA exfoliating solution. It's got lactic and glycolic acids to loosen the bonds of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin and salicylic acid to gently remove them and clear out the pores.
Up next, I've Tried Lots of Supplements for Glowing Skin—This Is the One That Worked
