Panel discussion on...

Beauty from within

Jennifer Toomey1        , Inbal Nahmias2
1. Head of NPD North America, TopGum Indutries
2. Head of Global Marketing, TopGum Industries

Member of AgroFOOD Industry Hi Tech's Scientific Advisory Board

3) It is often said that "you are what you eat," and we wholeheartedly stand by that principle. We believe the foundation of any beauty regimen, or wellness routine in general, must be a healthy diet and proper hydration. Drinking plenty of water is the most fundamental and effective way to maintain skin elasticity and radiance.


However, once that foundation is set, the next frontier is internal optimization.

We believe that real beauty isn't just skin deep; it starts at the cellular level. While topical treatments have their place, they cannot compensate for internal imbalances.


We look to the gut-skin axis as the primary driver of "Well-Beauty." Scientific research increasingly supports the claim that our internal ecosystem dictates our external appearance. For instance, a prominent study published in Frontiers in Microbiology (1) highlights how gut dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut bacteria) is directly linked to inflammatory skin conditions like acne and atopic dermatitis. The gut and skin are in constant communication via the immune system; when the gut is healthy, inflammation decreases, often resulting in clearer, more resilient skin.

4) When we look at the success of topical beauty influencers, they aren’t just selling a product; they are selling a ritual. The nutricosmetic segment is catching up by transforming what used to be a "medical chore"-swallowing a tasteless pill-into a moment of genuine self-care.


The functional gummy format provides the sensory experience that topical beauty rituals have mastered. It offers a sophisticated interplay of flavor, fragrance, and texture that makes the consumer actually look forward to their daily dose. This is critical for results: in the beauty space, consistency is everything. By making the delivery system enjoyable, we naturally improve compliance and adherence, which are the two biggest hurdles in seeing long-term improvements in skin, hair, and nail health.

The Technical Challenge: Potency Without Compromise

However, the primary challenge in this segment is high-dose efficacy. It is one thing to make a gummy that tastes like a treat; it is quite another to load it with a meaningful, professional-grade dose of active ingredients (like high-mg collagen, creatine, or specific botanicals) without impact on texture or flavor.


To achieve this, you need more than a candy maker; you need a professional manufacturer with advanced capabilities.


When developing gummy supplements, several challenges must be addressed. Beyond great taste, texture, and color that create an enjoyable sensory experience, formulators must also overcome dosing limitations — an area where advanced technologies play a critical role.


Today’s consumers prefer convenient solutions that fit seamlessly into their busy lifestyles. Taking five or six gummies per day is often impractical, which is why delivering effective daily dosages in just one or two gummies is essential.


11) For decades, the wellness industry fundamentally missed the mark by ignoring the perimenopause and menopause demographic, but as brands finally wake up to this audience, serving them correctly requires a complete overhaul in both communication and product design. From a marketing lens, brands have a social responsibility to speak to women at eye level, removing the historical barrier of shame and replacing it with open, unembarrassed dialogue. This lack of deep empathy stems from a history where a male perspective dominated research, leaving the industry lagging in preventative care and a true understanding of how women experience these symptoms. To bridge this gap, the industry must deliver precision products built on three core pillars: they must be fun and positive to consume so women don't have to compromise on the experience, they must actually work using clinically tested ingredients, and they should offer holistic, personalized ecosystems, recognizing that menopause is a diverse journey of trial and error where a one-size-fits-all solution simply doesn't exist.

Panelists

Vincenzo Zaccaria

Bionap (Active Group)

James Kyffin

ADM

Colton Clason

ADM

Lindsay Sumners

ADM

Sathya Sooryan

Arjuna Natural Animal Nutrition

Dom Orlandi

Aroma New Zealand

Alexandra Wesker

Aseno

Vincent Wood

AstaReal

Behnaz Shakersain

AstaReal

Karen Hecht

AstaReal

Claudio Isenburg

Cerbios-Pharma SA

Leah Bessa

De Novo Foodlabs

Katia Merten-Lentz

Food Law Science and Partners

Veronique Brun

Biotexia (formerly known as Fytexia)

Oliver Wolf

Gelita

David Foreman

Herbal Pharmacist Media

Armando Antonelli

Hylobates Consulting

Isabella Corsato Alvarenga

IFF Pet

Arthur C. Ouwehand

IFF Health

Renee Machen

IFF Pet

Antonella Riva

Indena

Dayna Lozon

Intertek Assuris

Brandon Walters

Intertek Assuris

Ray A. Matulka

Intertek Assuris

J.F. (Jake) Burlet

CanBiocin Inc.

Ronaldo Avella Lavado

Pda (Paul Dick Associates)

On behalf of International Probiotics Association (IPA)

Aida Gadzhieva

IQVIA

Karen E. Todd

Kyowa Hakko USA

Francesca Susca

Lallemand Animal Nutrition

Cassandre Dujardin

Lallemand Health Solutions

Mary Joe Fernandez

Layn Natural Ingredients

Jessica Simonis

Clinical Nutritionist

Rajiv Khatau

Lodaat Pharma

Greg Cumberford

Natures Crops International

Sybille Buchwald-Werner

Newday

Guus Kortman

NIZO Food Research

Thaila Cristina Putarov

Phileo by Lesaffre

Russ Kelley

Phileo by Lesaffre

Bernadette Beadle

Phileo by Lesaffre

Alicia Kasch

RIBUS

Steve Peirce

RIBUS

Maggie McNamara

Saanroo

Shaheen Majeed

Sami-Sabinsa Group

Linda Carola Baggi

Sacco Srl

Salma Zahidi

Seppic

Cem Dik

Syensqo

Laetitia d’Ursel

People Science

Noah Craft

People Science

Lindsey Wendt

Crystal Lotus Veterinary Care