Multivitamin or skin supplement: what’s the difference?

Short answer: a multivitamin is a broad safety net for your whole body, with small amounts of many different vitamins and minerals. A skin supplement like Clear+ is more targeted: fewer ingredients, chosen for your skin in amounts tailored to that purpose, plus plant extracts you won't find in a multivitamin. It's best not to take both: you'd double up on nutrients such as zinc and vitamin A.

You might already have a bottle of multivitamins in the cupboard. So it's fair to ask: doesn't it already contain everything? Why take something else for your skin? And can you take them together? Here, we explain the difference between a multivitamin and a targeted supplement in plain English. So you know what you're taking and what suits you.

What's in a multivitamin?

A multivitamin is designed as a safety net for your whole body. It often contains twenty or more vitamins and minerals: from vitamin A to zinc, B12 to iron. The idea is to give you a little of everything in case your diet doesn't cover it all.

The amounts are usually around the reference intake. You'll often see this shown as "RI" on the label. It's roughly the amount an average adult needs each day. If it says "100% RI", it contains roughly a day's worth.

That's fine as a safety net. But it also means a multivitamin isn't made for one specific goal. It contains nutrients that have little to do with your skin, while those that are relevant are often included only in small amounts.

Where a multivitamin can help

A multivitamin isn't a bad thing. If you don't eat a varied diet and don't have a specific goal, it can be a useful safety net. It's easy, usually inexpensive, and takes little thought. It can sometimes be useful for older people who eat less, too.

But a safety net isn't the same as a targeted approach. A multivitamin says: "a little of everything, just in case". If you want something specifically for your skin, that may not be the best fit.

What is a targeted supplement?

A targeted supplement starts from a different question. Not "what does your whole body need?", but "what does your skin need?". So it contains fewer ingredients, chosen for that goal and in amounts tailored to it.

Clear+ is one example. It contains ten ingredients, built around zinc, vitamin A and vitamin B5. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, and vitamin A is also important for your skin. Clear+ also contains spearmint and a little black pepper: plant extracts you won't find in a standard multivitamin.

One example of the difference: vitamin B5

You can see the difference most clearly with vitamin B5, also called pantothenic acid. Your body uses vitamin B5 to make and process hormones. A multivitamin usually contains around the reference intake. In Clear+, vitamin B5 plays a central role:

That sums up the difference. A multivitamin gives you a baseline amount of many nutrients. A targeted supplement puts a few selected ingredients centre stage. Read more about the choices behind Clear+ in What's in Clear+, and why these amounts?

Why it's best not to combine them

You might think: why not take both? It can't hurt, right? But with vitamins and minerals, more isn't always better. A multivitamin and Clear+ both contain zinc, vitamin A, selenium and copper, among other nutrients. Take them together and you'll double up on those nutrients, on top of what you get from food.

That's especially worth avoiding with zinc and vitamin A. More zinc isn't necessarily better. And vitamin A in a form your body can use directly, as found in supplements, can build up in your body. So choose one or the other. If you use Clear+, you usually won't need a multivitamin as well.

Not sure about what you're taking? Compare the labels, or take them to your pharmacist. They can quickly spot any overlap.

Do you actually need a multivitamin?

According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who eat a varied diet don't need a multivitamin. Some groups are advised to take a specific supplement, though. Examples include vitamin D for certain groups, folic acid if you're planning to get pregnant, and vitamin B12 if you eat a vegan diet.

Notice that each recommendation is for one specific nutrient, not a bottle containing twenty. If you have a specific deficiency, a supplement for that nutrient is often the better choice. For your skin, one targeted product is more convenient than separate bottles of zinc and vitamin A.

A few practical examples if you use Clear+:

• Vitamin D: Clear+ already contains 25 µg of vitamin D3. The Health Council of the Netherlands recommends 10 µg a day for certain groups and 20 µg for people over 70. You usually won't need a separate vitamin D supplement as well.
• Vitamin B12: Clear+ doesn't contain it. If you eat a vegan diet, you can take a separate B12 supplement.
• Folic acid: Clear+ doesn't contain it. If you're planning to get pregnant, speak to your GP or midwife. Clear+ contains a form of vitamin A your body can use directly, so don't take it when trying to conceive or during pregnancy without seeking advice.
• Iron: Clear+ doesn't contain it. Only take iron if your doctor recommends it.

What about collagen?

You won't find collagen in a multivitamin. It's a protein, and you'd need it in grams, not milligrams. So it doesn't fit in a tablet. If you want collagen, choose a powder such as Glow+. It contains 8,000 mg of collagen with 500 mg of vitamin C, plus zinc, MSM, hyaluronic acid and gotu kola. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin. Read more in Taking collagen: how does it work and what should you look for?

Clear+ and Glow+ are designed to work together, so you can take both. Find out how in Taking Clear+ and Glow+ together.

How to read a supplement label

Whether you're looking at a multivitamin or a targeted supplement, the label tells you a lot if you know what to look for.

• Check the daily serving, not just one capsule. Amounts are sometimes listed per capsule even though you need to take two or three a day. Work out the total for a full day.
• Check the % RI. This quickly shows you whether an ingredient is present in a small or large amount.
• Look at the form. Zinc, for example, is always bound to another substance, such as zinc citrate or zinc glycinate. The label should tell you which form it is.
• Watch out for a "blend". Does the label give only a total for a mixture, without the amount of each ingredient? Then you can't tell how much of each you're getting.
• Check whether it's tested. A good brand has its products independently tested, including for heavy metals.

Clear+ and Glow+ list the amount of every ingredient per daily serving on the label, and every batch is independently tested by Eurofins.

How to choose what suits you

It depends on what you're looking for:

• Want a broad safety net, without a specific goal? A multivitamin is an option. Better still, eat a varied diet.
• Want to give your skin the building blocks it needs? A targeted supplement like Clear+ may be a better fit.
• Have a specific deficiency? Choose a supplement for that one nutrient, ideally after speaking to your GP.

Whatever you choose, avoid taking too many different products at once, read the label and give it time. Your skin renews itself over weeks, so give a new routine around 90 days before judging it. If it suits you, keep using it: your skin needs those building blocks every day. Find out why it takes time in How long does it take to see a difference in your skin?

I'd tried a lot, but I was looking for something that works from within. Cloudless delivered on what they promised.

M. V.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a multivitamin and a skin supplement?

A multivitamin contains small amounts of many different nutrients for your whole body. A skin supplement contains fewer ingredients, chosen for your skin in amounts tailored to that purpose, often with added plant extracts.

Can I take a multivitamin and Clear+ together?

It's best not to. Both contain zinc and vitamin A, among other nutrients, so you'd double up. Choose one or the other. If you're unsure, ask your pharmacist.

What does RI mean on a label?

RI stands for reference intake: roughly the amount an average adult needs each day. "100% RI" means it contains roughly a day's worth.

Do I need extra vitamin D if I use Clear+?

Usually not. Clear+ contains 25 µg of vitamin D3. The Health Council of the Netherlands recommends 10 µg a day for certain groups and 20 µg for people over 70.

Does Clear+ contain B12?

No. If you eat a vegan diet, you can take a separate B12 supplement.

Can I take a multivitamin alongside Glow+?

It's best not to: many multivitamins contain zinc, which is also in Glow+. If you're unsure, ask your pharmacist.

Is a supplement with more ingredients better?

Not necessarily. What matters is whether the ingredients fit your goal and how much of each is included. A long list of tiny amounts tells you less than a shorter list where you know exactly why each ingredient is there.

What if I'm not happy?

You'll get your money back. For your first order, use Clear+ every day for 90 days, then let us know within 10 days. Return all the pouches and we'll refund your purchase price, minus the cost of the return label. You'll find the full terms in our refund policy.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Clear+ and Glow+ are food supplements. A food supplement is not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.