When it comes to choosing the right supplements to support your overall health and well-being, we completely get that it can be overwhelming to navigate the options available. With EQUI, the key is understanding which Formula aligns best with your specific needs. In today’s blog, we’ll explore two of our best-selling Formulas—Beauty and Wellness—each designed to cater to distinct health goals. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skin’s radiance or boost your energy and resilience, understanding the differences between these two Formulas will help you make an informed decision to reach your current goals.

If glowing, youthful skin is your priority, Beauty Formula is your go-to. This blend is specifically tailored to support skin health and radiance. It’s packed with ingredients that target the root causes of skin issues while promoting a clear, vibrant complexion. One of the standout ingredients in Beauty Formula is GlowCutis®, our proprietary blend known for its skin-enhancing properties. This is complemented by glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce oxidative stress and supports detoxification, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy complexion. Methionine is another key component, playing a vital role in collagen production, which is essential for skin elasticity and firmness. Vitamins and minerals play a crucial role in this Formula, with enhanced levels of vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc, and B5. These nutrients are essential for skin regeneration, collagen synthesis, and protection against environmental damage. For those dealing with the psychological effects of skin concerns, the inclusion of reishi and schisandra—both adaptogens—helps to balance mood and reduce stress, which can otherwise exacerbate skin problems.

On the other hand, our Wellness Formula is designed for those seeking to enhance their overall vitality, energy levels, and resilience. It’s the perfect choice for those with a busy, on-the-go lifestyle who need an extra boost to keep up with daily demands. This Formula is rich in CoQ10, a compound known for its role in energy production at the cellular level. CoQ10 supports mitochondrial function, helping to sustain energy levels throughout the day. The inclusion of cordyceps and ginseng further enhances this energy boost, promoting stamina, endurance, and overall vitality. These adaptogenic herbs are also known for their ability to help the body manage stress, making them ideal for supporting both physical and mental well-being. Another significant benefit of Wellness Formula is its higher content of magnesium. Magnesium is crucial for relaxation and restful sleep, which are essential for recovery and maintaining energy. In addition, this Formula includes turmeric and ginger root, both of which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and their ability to support gut health and digestion—key components of overall wellness.

While both Beauty and Wellness Formulas contain foundational ingredients like papain, bromelain, milk thistle, and organic spirulina, their unique additions and nutrient focuses set them apart. Beauty Formula is more skin-centric, with enhanced levels of specific vitamins and adaptogens to promote a glowing complexion and a balanced mood. In contrast, Wellness Formula is energy-centric, with ingredients like CoQ10, cordyceps, and magnesium to support vitality, stress management, and overall resilience. Choosing between these two Formulas ultimately depends on your primary health goals. If your focus is on achieving radiant skin and addressing skin-related stress, then Beauty Formula is the ideal choice. However, if you’re looking to boost your energy, manage stress, and support a busy lifestyle, then Wellness Formula will be your best ally. Today, we’ll dive deeper into the specific benefits of each Formula in more detail, helping you to decide which one is right for you.

Targeted Benefits - Skin Health vs. Overall Vitality

When it comes to health and wellness, personalised solutions like those by EQUI are key to addressing specific needs. Beauty and Wellness Formula are two of our best-selling supplements designed to target different aspects of health, each with its own carefully selected ingredients to achieve optimal results.

For example, Beauty Formula is meticulously crafted to enhance skin health, focusing on ingredients that promote a radiant complexion, support collagen production, and address common skin concerns such as acne and ageing. It does this through GlowCutis®, a proprietary blend, which is designed to deliver a powerful combination of nutrients to the skin, working synergistically to improve skin texture and appearance. One of its key components is collagen which is the main structural protein in the skin, and its production tends to decrease with age (1). This can be found alongside hydrating hyaluronic acid, zinc, vitamin C, pine bark extract (2), resveratrol & silica to support every stage of the skin cell cycle, strengthening and helping to counteract premature skin ageing. Beauty Formula also contains glutathione, a potent antioxidant that plays a critical role in reducing oxidative stress and brightening the skin. Glutathione has been shown to inhibit melanin production, which can help reduce hyperpigmentation and give the skin a more even tone (3). Another vital ingredient is methionine, an essential amino acid that contributes to the production of collagen and elastin. By supporting collagen synthesis, methionine helps maintain skin elasticity and firmness, which can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. What’s more, Beauty Formula contains rutin, a powerful antioxidant and bioflavonoid known for its ability to strengthen blood vessels and reduce inflammation. Rutin supports skin health by enhancing microcirculation, which ensures that skin cells receive an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients, promoting a healthy, glowing complexion. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory properties which can help to reduce redness and swelling, making it particularly beneficial for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.

And we didn’t stop there - Beauty Formula is enriched with higher levels of vitamins A, C, B5, and zinc, compared to Wellness Formula, all of which are known for their skin-enhancing properties. Firstly, vitamin A supports skin cell turnover and repair, helping to prevent acne and improve skin texture whilst vitamin C is another powerful antioxidant that aids in collagen production and protects the skin from environmental damage. Finally, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is essential for maintaining skin moisture, preventing dryness, and reducing inflammation whilst zinc, which is crucial for wound healing, also has anti-inflammatory properties and can therefore reduce the severity of acne.

In contrast, Wellness Formula is designed to support overall vitality, energy levels, and stress management, catering to those who need to counteract a busy and sometimes stressful lifestyle. A standout ingredient in Wellness Formula is CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10), a compound that plays a pivotal role in cellular energy production. This nutrient supports mitochondrial function, which is essential for energy generation in cells, making it a crucial supplement for combating fatigue and enhancing physical performance. Additionally, the inclusion of cordyceps and ginseng in Wellness Formula further amplifies its energy-boosting effects. Cordyceps, a medicinal mushroom, has been shown to improve oxygen utilisation and endurance, making it an excellent supplement for enhancing stamina (4), whilst ginseng is well-known for its adaptogenic properties - it helps the body manage stress more effectively, balance hormones and sustain energy levels throughout the day (5). Moreover, Wellness Formula contains a higher content of magnesium than Beauty Formula. This mineral is essential for muscle relaxation and promoting restful sleep. Adequate magnesium levels are critical for reducing stress and preventing the energy depletion that often accompanies chronic stress.

So, in summary, Beauty Formula and Wellness Formula offer targeted support for different health needs. Beauty focuses on enhancing skin health with ingredients like GlowCutis®, glutathione, methionine, and essential vitamins, while Wellness prioritises overall vitality, energy, and stress management with the help of CoQ10, cordyceps, ginseng, and magnesium. Whether your goal is to achieve glowing skin or maintain robust energy levels, these Formulas provide comprehensive support tailored to your unique needs. If you’re still note sure, take our quiz here.

Stress Management and Emotional Well-being

Beauty Formula is specifically crafted to address not only the physical aspects of skin health but also the psychological effects of skin issues such as stress and anxiety. Skin concerns like acne, ageing, or eczema can lead to significant emotional distress, often resulting in a vicious cycle where stress exacerbates skin problems, and skin issues, in turn, heighten stress levels. This is where ingredients like reishi, schisandra, and bee propolis play a pivotal role. Let’s explore these in more detail. Firstly, reishi is known as the "mushroom of immortality" in traditional Chinese medicine, revered for its adaptogenic properties that help the body manage stress. Chronic stress increases cortisol production, which can lead to inflammation, impaired skin barrier function, and increased sebum production, all contributing to acne and other skin issues. Reishi helps modulate cortisol levels, reducing the inflammatory response and promoting a more balanced mood (6). By supporting the adrenal glands, reishi helps the body cope with stress more efficiently, therefore preventing stress-induced skin flare-ups. Schisandra is another powerful adaptogen included in Beauty Formula. Traditionally used to enhance mental clarity and reduce stress, schisandra works by regulating the body's stress response through its effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. By stabilising the HPA axis, schisandra helps to mitigate the body's reaction to stress, reducing cortisol levels and the associated negative impacts on skin health (7). Additionally, schisandra's antioxidant properties protect the skin from oxidative stress, a major contributor to premature ageing and dullness. This dual action not only promotes a calm state of mind but also enhances the skin’s resilience to stress-related damage. Bee propolis further complements these effects with its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties (8). Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, leading to increased susceptibility to skin infections and slower healing. Bee propolis strengthens the skin’s natural defences, helping to maintain a clear and healthy complexion even under stress. Its calming effects on the skin also help reduce redness and irritation, common stress-induced skin issues.

In contrast, Wellness Formula takes a broader approach to stress relief, focusing on overall body resilience with ingredients like ginseng and cordyceps. These adaptogens are well-known for their ability to enhance physical stamina and vitality, making them ideal for individuals leading busy, active lives. Ginseng, particularly, is known for its ability to boost energy levels and improve mental focus, which can be especially beneficial for those experiencing fatigue and stress from demanding schedules. By enhancing both physical and mental resilience, ginseng helps the body adapt to stress without the accompanying burnout, promoting overall well-being (9). Cordyceps, on the other hand, is renowned for its ability to support mitochondrial function, enhancing energy production at the cellular level. This boost in energy helps the body better cope with physical stressors, improving endurance and recovery. Cordyceps also helps regulate the immune response, reducing the impact of stress on the body and maintaining overall vitality (10). Together, these ingredients in Wellness work synergistically to promote a robust stress response, enhancing both physical stamina and mental resilience. This makes Wellness Formula particularly suited for those of us seeking to manage stress while maintaining an active lifestyle, in contrast to the more skin-focused and emotionally soothing benefits of Beauty Formula.

Gut Health and Digestive Support

Both Beauty and Wellness Formula contain key gut-supportive ingredients like probiotics, papain, bromelain, and milk thistle, which are essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system. However, Beauty Formula is uniquely formulated with additional ingredients like glutamine and bee propolis, specifically tailored to support gut health, which is critical for clear and healthy skin. Wellness Formula, on the other hand, includes ginger root and a higher probiotic count, focusing on enhancing overall well-being by improving nutrient absorption and immune function.

The connection between gut health and skin health is well-documented, often referred to as the "gut-skin axis." A healthy gut microbiome is essential for maintaining the integrity of the gut barrier, which prevents harmful substances from entering the bloodstream and causing systemic inflammation. When the gut barrier is compromised, it can lead to "leaky gut" syndrome, where toxins and partially digested food particles leak into the bloodstream, triggering an immune response that can manifest as skin inflammation, breakouts, or conditions like eczema and rosacea (11). Glutamine, a key ingredient in Beauty Formula, plays a crucial role in maintaining the gut barrier. It is the primary fuel source for the cells lining the gut and helps to repair and maintain the integrity of the intestinal lining. By supporting the gut barrier, glutamine reduces the likelihood of systemic inflammation that can lead to skin issues. This makes it particularly beneficial for those with acne or other inflammatory skin conditions. Bee propolis in Beauty Formula adds another layer of support by providing antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to balance the gut microbiome (12). A balanced microbiome is less likely to harbor pathogenic bacteria that can contribute to systemic inflammation and, consequently, skin issues. The combined effect of glutamine and bee propolis makes Beauty Formula particularly effective for those looking to address skin health through gut support.

In contrast, Wellness Formula focuses more broadly on enhancing overall well-being through gut health. Ginger root is well-known for its digestive benefits, including its ability to stimulate digestion, reduce bloating, and alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort. These effects are crucial for enhancing nutrient absorption, ensuring that the body gets the necessary vitamins and minerals to maintain energy levels and overall vitality. Additionally, Wellness includes a higher probiotic count compared to the Beauty Formula with 1 million more live strains. A diverse and balanced microbiome is essential for efficient digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function. By supporting these processes, Wellness Formula not only aids in digestion but also contributes to overall health by enhancing the body’s resilience to stress and illness. The combination of ginger root and a higher probiotic count makes Wellness Formula particularly suited for those seeking to maintain their energy and vitality while managing the demands of a busy lifestyle. While both Formulas support gut health, Wellness Formula’s emphasis on digestion and nutrient absorption makes it a more holistic option for overall well-being.

While both Formulas are designed to support gut health, Beauty Formula’s inclusion of glutamine and bee propolis makes it particularly effective for improving skin health by reducing inflammation and preventing breakouts. Wellness Formula, with its ginger root and higher probiotic count, offers broader benefits, enhancing digestion and overall well-being, making it ideal for maintaining energy and vitality. Shop both Formulas here.

Disclaimer: All of the information on this website is provided for general information only, it should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional providing personalised nutrition or lifestyle advice. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider. No one diet or supplement regime works for everyone and you should always seek help from a GP and registered health expert before making changes to your diet, or before introducing any supplements. This is especially important when pregnant.

 

References

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2. Grether-Beck S, Marini A, Jaenicke T, Krutmann J. French Maritime Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol®) Effects on Human Skin: Clinical and Molecular Evidence. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2016;29(1), pp. 13-7.
3. Nagapan TS, Lim WN, Basri DF, Ghazali AR. Oral supplementation of L-glutathione prevents ultraviolet B-induced melanogenesis and oxidative stress in BALB/c mice. Exp Anim. 2019 Nov 6;68(4), pp. 541-548
4. P Rossi, E Altobelli, D Buonocore, F Marzatico, E Savino. Integratori alimentari a base di Cordyceps Sinensis e Ganoderma lucidum: Effetti sul rapporto testosterone/ cortisol in un gruppo di sportivi. Poster en Congresso Interdisciplinare sulle Piante Medicinale. Universidad di Calabria (2012)
5. Kuo J, Chen KW, Cheng IS, Tsai PH, Lu YJ, Lee NY. The effect of eight weeks of supplementation with Eleutherococcus senticosus on endurance capacity and metabolism in human. Chin J Physiol. 2010 Apr 30;53(2), pp. 105-11.
6. Wachtel-Galor S, Yuen J, Buswell JA, et al. Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi): A Medicinal Mushroom. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011.
7. Li J, Wang J, Shao JQ, Du H, Wang YT, Peng L. Effect of Schisandra chinensis on interleukins, glucose metabolism, and pituitary-adrenal and gonadal axis in rats under strenuous swimming exercise. Chin J Integr Med. 2015 Jan;21(1), pp. 43-8.
8. Zullkiflee N, Taha H, Usman A. Propolis: Its Role and Efficacy in Human Health and Diseases. Molecules. 2022 Sep 19;27(18), p. 6120.
9. Kuo J, Chen KW, Cheng IS, Tsai PH, Lu YJ, Lee NY. The effect of eight weeks of supplementation with Eleutherococcus senticosus on endurance capacity and metabolism in human. Chin J Physiol. 2010 Apr 30;53(2), pp. 105-11.
10. P Rossi, E Altobelli, D Buonocore, F Marzatico, E Savino. Integratori alimentari a base di Cordyceps Sinensis e Ganoderma lucidum: Effetti sul rapporto testosterone/ cortisol in un gruppo di sportivi. Poster en Congresso Interdisciplinare sulle Piante Medicinale. Universidad di Calabria (2012)
11. Bowe, W. P., & Logan, A. C. (2011). Acne vulgaris, probiotics and the gut-brain-skin axis - back to the future? Gut Pathogens, 3(1), p. 1.
12. Sforcin, J. M. (2016). Biological properties and therapeutic applications of propolis. Phytotherapy Research, 30(6), pp. 894-905.