Two California companies, including Skin Authority in Carlsbad, create a marriage of skin care and nutrition

A little over two years ago, Skin Authority CEO Celeste Hilling immersed herself in researching Vitamin D and its relationship to most chronic skin conditions such as rosacea, psoriasis, vitiligo and heavy wrinkling. As she spoke with research and medical specialists, Hilling grew to appreciate the critical importance of enhancing our Vitamin D health inside and out.

"At Skin Authority, we knew we had the expertise to deliver a full-spectrum topical Vitamin D serum. But, what about the internal component? Just as we don’t use fragrances, dyes or parabens in our skin care, we wanted a natural, whole food solution to supercharge internal levels of Vitamin D. Outside of supplements, no commercial solutions had existed," says Hilling who runs the international skin care brand Skin Authority from its headquarters in Carlsbad. (www.skinauthority.com)

Through this journey, Hilling was introduced to the Westlake Village-based Dole Nutrition Institute and the group’s Senior V.P. Jennifer Grossman. Both organizations share the mission of  providing the education and products necessary for consumers to live long healthy lives. More importantly, Dole had uncovered the component which was key to providing easy access to a diet rich with Vitamin D: a natural, whole-food source of D that could be easily added to anyone’s daily lifestyle.

A common vision that health is an ‘inside out’ concern led to the creation of a new category of product - Nutritopicals™. These products combine an internal food source with external topical nutrition in one solution. The Vita D Illuminating Duo contains:

• A Whole Food Spice Powder consisting of Dole’s 100% vegan, whole food, plant-based source of Vitamin D. The Powder is a simple way to add Vitamin D to anything you eat or drink throughout the day.
• A topical elixir to provide full-spectrum Vitamin D to the surface layers of the skin through daily application. 

“Uniting the two perspectives - skin care and nutrition - is not just good science, but also good marketing,” says Grossman. “For skin care: You cannot ignore the nutrition side of equation; the need to focus on who you are and what you eat. For the food and nutrition side - we are often so focused on what goes in the mouth, not on the skin - that we can forget that the bounty of mother nature has so many phyto-chemicals and enzymes. These can provide protection and health benefits to our organs, including the skin.”  

Hilling adds, "The partnership makes sense as we each enhance the other’s brand. Two years later, we brought these one-of-a-kind products and technology to market and by year end will be in 500 doors, including GNC."

Dole Nutrition Institute and Skin Authority are at the forefront of uniting skin care and nutrition.  Grossman’s sums up the partnership, “We believe not just  in leading a long and healthy life, but living life to the fullest; and that includes looking as good as you feel. It's clear that good nutrition has an impact on decelerating the aging process - and taking care of your skin with the right products should be part of the equation.”