Two-way approach: Nutraceutical firms adopt oral and topical solutions to address joint, skin issues

Nutraceutical companies are looking for new ways to enhance their product offerings, such as developing both oral and topical solutions to tackle concerns across joint pain and skin health in key Asia-Pacific markets.

In the Oceania, nutraceutical firm Australia’s JS Health has bundled its Hair + Energy supplement, formulated with kelp and zinc, with its Purifying Vitamin Shampoo and Nourishing Vitamin Conditioner to support hair health and growth.

Another example is its Skin Bright + capsule and its Pro-collagen vitamin serum sold together as a ‘skin radiance bundle.’

In India, Chicnutrix is also providing supplement and skincare products in bundles. Examples include its Collagen Builder effervescent tablet that are paired with its Face Serum similarly containing collagen, on top of arginine, retinyl palmitate, and hyaluronic acid. 

Elsewhere in Singapore, local firm Herbal Pharm has launched a joint health supplement and topical cream bundle known as NutraJoint Gold Flex Supplement / Cream.  

A reason for adopting this approach is to address both acute and chronic joint pain, Dr. Ananthi Krunanathi, senior manager, medical affairs at Herbal Pharm told us in this episode of Nutrition Asia. 

“We started with the supplement first, which was well-received from our customers…Joint conditions are not affecting only a particular age group but individuals from different age groups, from the old to the young in different conditions and situations.

“And then there’s the chronic and acute joint pain…which is why after the success of our NutraJoint Gold Flex Supplement, we decided to go for an adjunct which would ease the acute pain,” Dr. Krunanathi said, adding that the bundle was one of the firm’s bestsellers.

Although the formulation differed slightly between the oral and topical product, glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin sulphate are two ingredients common to both products due to their clinical efficacy. 

Further down the road, there are plans to develop both oral and topical products for weight management, Dr. Krunanathi said.

Chicnutrix, on the other hand, pointed out that doing so offers a holistic and convenient routine for consumers. 

"When we started, we only had nutrition products, and the conditions that we are addressing are for dark spots, pigmentation, acne.

"Then we saw that when people (we) are offering only nutrition to customers, there was a confusion (among consumers) on whether they can use it with this and that (skincare products), whether they can do this and that. So just to avoid that confusion, i think it was the best thing (to offer bundled oral and topical products)," Shilpa Khanna, CEO of Chicnutrix, said. 

Aside from oral supplements and topical products bundles, there is also a potential to explore product bundles consisting of supplements and devices, she added. 

Watch the video to find out more.