What’s in Glow+, and why these doses?

Short answer: Glow+ brings six ingredients together in one daily scoop. The foundation is 8,000 mg of hydrolysed collagen, alongside vitamin C (500 mg), zinc, MSM, hyaluronic acid and gotu kola. Just mix the scoop into a glass of water. Below, we break down what each ingredient is, how much you get and why it’s included.

Collagen is everywhere. You’ll find it in powders, drinks, gummies and even coffee. But what actually is collagen? And why does Glow+ include five other ingredients? Let’s walk through the formula, one ingredient at a time, in plain English.

First things first: what is collagen?

Collagen is a protein. In fact, it’s the most abundant protein in your body. You’ll find it in your skin, bones, tendons and cartilage. Think of it as a kind of scaffolding: it provides structure and helps hold everything in place.

In your skin, collagen is found mainly in the middle layer, beneath the surface you can see. There, it forms a network of strong fibres that give your skin its firmness.

Your body makes collagen all the time. It uses building blocks from your food called amino acids: the small parts that make up all proteins. Your body also needs vitamin C to make collagen from those building blocks. We’ll come back to that shortly.

As you get older, your skin changes. It becomes thinner and feels less firm. That’s a normal part of ageing, and it happens at a different pace for everyone. Sun exposure, smoking and too little sleep can play a part too.

All six ingredients, at a glance

Here’s what you get in one daily scoop:

The amounts vary quite a bit, and that’s normal. You need grams of collagen, but only a few milligrams of zinc. Here’s a closer look at each ingredient.

Collagen: the foundation

Glow+ contains 8,000 mg of collagen per scoop. It’s the largest amount of any ingredient in the formula, which is why we call it the foundation.

The collagen in Glow+ comes from cattle. It’s type I collagen, the most common type in your body and one that’s found in your skin. It’s hydrolysed, which simply means the long protein chains have been broken into smaller pieces called peptides. That helps the powder dissolve in water without lumps, and you can barely taste it.

Your body digests collagen like any other protein: it breaks it down into smaller parts and absorbs them. Because the collagen in Glow+ has already been broken into small pieces, it’s a convenient source of the building blocks that make up collagen.

Vitamin C: collagen’s partner

If there’s one ingredient that belongs alongside collagen, it’s vitamin C. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin. Your body needs vitamin C to make collagen, however many building blocks you consume.

Vitamin C does more, too. Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can be linked to things like sunlight, smoking and air pollution.

Glow+ contains 500 mg of vitamin C. That’s more than your average daily requirement. Is it safe? The European Food Safety Authority, EFSA, has not set an upper limit for vitamin C. Your body excretes what it doesn’t use in your urine. Already taking a separate vitamin C supplement? You probably won’t need that as well.

Zinc: for skin, hair and nails

Zinc is a mineral you can get from foods such as meat, fish, cheese, nuts and wholemeal bread. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, normal nails and normal skin.

Glow+ contains zinc as zinc glycinate: zinc bound to glycine, an amino acid. It’s a form commonly used in supplements. We’ve deliberately kept the amount small so you can also use Glow+ alongside Clear+, which contains more zinc. More on that below.

MSM

MSM stands for methylsulfonylmethane. It’s a sulphur-containing compound also found in small amounts in vegetables, fruit, milk and coffee. Glow+ contains 1,500 mg of MSM per scoop.

Hyaluronic acid

You might know hyaluronic acid from serums and creams. It’s also found naturally in your body, including in your skin, eyes and joint fluid. Glow+ contains 100 mg of hyaluronic acid per scoop. You take it as part of your daily drink.

Gotu kola

Gotu kola is a plant with a long history of use in Asia, including as a vegetable. Its scientific name is Centella asiatica. In skincare, you might know it as “cica”: many creams with that name contain gotu kola extract. Glow+ contains 500 mg of gotu kola per scoop. Read more about the plant in Gotu kola and your circulation.

Can you get these ingredients from food?

Some of them, yes. A supplement adds to your diet; it doesn’t replace healthy eating. You can find these ingredients in foods including the ones below. For vitamin C and zinc, we’ve used the Voedingscentrum as our source:

• Collagen: in bone broth, chicken and fish skin, and gelatine.
• Vitamin C: in fruit and vegetables such as kiwi, oranges, peppers and broccoli.
• Zinc: in meat, fish, cheese, nuts and wholemeal bread.

If you eat a varied diet, you’re likely already getting some vitamin C and zinc. For most people, collagen isn’t on the menu every day. Glow+ gives you a consistent amount each day.

Why not just take a collagen powder?

Most collagen powders contain only collagen. But as you’ve read above, your body needs vitamin C to make collagen. A standalone collagen powder tells only half the story.

That’s why Glow+ brings them together: collagen as a building block, vitamin C for collagen formation, zinc for your skin, hair and nails, plus MSM, hyaluronic acid and gotu kola. One scoop instead of three or four separate products. For more on what to look for, read Taking collagen: how does it work and what should you look for?

I had a different collagen powder before this, but my cheeks were still dry. I’ve been using this one for a while now and my skin does feel softer. In the first few weeks I was thinking, okay, is anything happening yet? Glad I stuck with it haha.

Petra

Why a drink instead of capsules?

It comes down to the maths. A standard capsule holds about half a gram of powder. To get 8,000 mg of collagen plus the other ingredients, you’d need to swallow around twenty capsules every day. That’s hard to keep up.

A powder you mix into water is the simplest way to get those amounts in one go. And you’ll drink a glass of water at the same time, which most of us could do with.

How to take Glow+

Mix one scoop with 250 ml of water each day. Stir or shake it, perhaps in a shaker, then drink. Glow+ has a Strawberry Watermelon flavour. Don’t exceed the recommended daily serving.

The time of day doesn’t matter much. Choose a moment that fits your day: with breakfast, after a workout or in the afternoon instead of a second coffee. Each pack contains 30 servings, enough for a month.

What matters most is taking it every day. Your skin, hair and nails grow slowly. A nail takes months to grow out completely, and your hair grows roughly a centimetre a month. So assess your routine after 2 to 3 months, not a few days. That’s also why our satisfaction guarantee lasts 90 days.

Glow+ fits alongside your skincare. Your moisturiser and sunscreen take care of the outside; Glow+ provides building blocks from within. Together, they make a complete routine.

How to make it a daily habit

The first week usually feels easy. Week six is trickier: the novelty has worn off, and it’s easier to forget. Here’s what helps:

• Pair it with something you already do every day. Keep the pack beside your kettle or coffee machine. If you can see it, you’re more likely to take it.
• Make it easy to prepare. Keep a shaker or your usual glass next to the pack. The fewer steps, the easier it is to stick with.
• Take it with you when you travel. Put a few scoops in a small container for a weekend away. That’s often when a routine slips.
• Take a photo in the same lighting. Day to day, you might not notice much. A photo at the start and another a few months later, in the same place and light, gives you a more reliable comparison than the mirror.
• Look at the bigger picture. Sleep, stress, diet, sun exposure and skincare all matter. Glow+ is one part of your routine, not the whole routine.

With a subscription, your next pack arrives in time. You can skip a delivery or cancel through your account whenever you like.

Taking Glow+ and Clear+ together

Many people take Glow+ alongside Clear+. You can do that: take the recommended daily serving of each. That’s one scoop of Glow+ and two Clear+ capsules per day.

We designed the formulas to work well together. Zinc is the clearest example. Clear+ contains 20 mg of zinc, so we’ve deliberately included only a small amount in Glow+. Don’t take another supplement containing zinc, such as a multivitamin, alongside them. If you’re unsure, ask your pharmacist.

Want to know exactly what’s in Clear+? Read What’s in Clear+, and why these amounts?

Who is Glow+ for?

Glow+ is made for adults who want to give their skin, hair and nails building blocks every day, without juggling lots of separate tubs. Perhaps your skin feels drier, your nails break more easily, or you simply want a healthy habit you can stick to.

In a few situations, it’s best to get advice first or choose something else:

• You’re vegetarian or vegan. The collagen in Glow+ comes from cattle, so it won’t be suitable for you.
• You’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding. Speak to your doctor or midwife first.
• You take medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacist first whether Glow+ is suitable for you.
• You already take other supplements containing zinc or vitamin C. Add up the amounts and ask your pharmacist if you’re unsure.
• You have an allergy. Always read the full ingredients list on the label first.

Made and tested in the Netherlands

Glow+ is made in the Netherlands. Every batch is independently tested by Eurofins, one of the world’s largest laboratory groups. They check for heavy metals, pesticides and unwanted microorganisms. You can find more about the formula and testing on the Glow+ product page.

Can’t find your question below? Take a look at our FAQs. Still have a question about an ingredient or your own circumstances? Email us at hello@meetcloudless.com. We’re happy to help you work it out.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the collagen in Glow+ come from?

It comes from cattle. It’s hydrolysed type I collagen, broken into small pieces so it dissolves easily in water.

Is Glow+ vegan?

No. The collagen comes from cattle, so Glow+ isn’t vegan or vegetarian.

What does Glow+ taste like?

Strawberry Watermelon: refreshing and lightly sweet. The powder dissolves easily in 250 ml of water, without lumps.

How long will it take before I notice anything?

Your skin, hair and nails grow slowly, so don’t expect to see a difference after a few days. Take Glow+ every day and assess your routine after 2 to 3 months. If it works for you, keep taking it: your skin, hair and nails keep growing and need building blocks every day. Read more about the timeline in How long does it take to see a difference in your skin?

Can I take Glow+ and Clear+ together?

Yes. Take the recommended daily serving of each: 1 scoop of Glow+ and 2 Clear+ capsules per day. Don’t take another supplement containing zinc alongside them. Read more in Taking Clear+ and Glow+ together.

What if I’m not happy with it?

You can get your money back. Your first order comes with our 90-day satisfaction guarantee. Take Glow+ every day for 90 days. If you’re not satisfied after that, let us know within 10 days. Return all the packaging and you’ll receive a refund of your purchase price, minus the cost of the return label. You’ll find the full terms in our refund policy.

Glow+ is a supplement. Supplements are not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Don’t exceed the recommended daily serving.