The supplements market has changed a lot since the day of candy-colored Flinsones vitamins. Today, the booming cosmeceutical industry researches and develops supplements almost as quickly as it introduces new creams, serums and lotions. Many of these pills target the effects of aging, as well as improve beauty sleep and reduce cellulite.

The market for supplements has grown so rapidly that the U.S. Food and Drug Administartion ( FDA) established rules last year guaranteeing ? Industry wide standards requiring that dietary supplements are manufactured consistently as to their identity, purity, strength and composition?. The goal, according to the FDA's press release, is that ?consumers have increased confidence in the dietary supplements they purchase?.

But what exactly is in all those bottles? Supplements come from 2 main sources:1) vitamins, organic chemical compounds, the body needs for growth, repair and overall health, and 2) minerals, inorganic chemical elements the body needs for healthy growth and metabolism.

Supplements often include a third category of amino acids and natural herbs. Ida Umanskaya of AdorageMD notes that advances in science continue to influence trends in raw materials. She suggests that some of the most important ingredients to look for include:

DMAE: This organic compound has been shown to tighten skin. Its antioxidant properties help the membrane resist stress and protect it from free-radical damage. It also increases the effects of antioxidants in the skin. Umanskaya notes that ?people who regularly take DMAE often see improvement in facial musculature, resulting in leaner look.? It's been nicknamed ?The brain? or ?smart? drug, because it increases chemicals in the brain used to short-term memory and concentration.

MSM: This occurs naturally in plants and has multiple functions in the body. Referred as ? nature's beauty mineral?, MSM plays an essential role in the maintenance of collagen, keratin and elastin, and is vital to the formation of healthy cells. It promotes growth of skin, hair and nails.

Acetyl L-carnitine: according to Umansklaya, researches of California, Berkley, discovered that combining acetyl L-carnitine with the most powerful form of R-alpha lipoic acid slowed the cell aging process. The compound also appears to have positive effect on the brain and is currently being studied as a treatment for Alzheimer's.

R-alpha lipoic acid: This naturally occurring antioxidant is an antiaging powerhouse. In AdorageMD's studies, there was a significant decrease in free radical levels in the skin, after only two weeks use.

N-acetyl cystein: Known simply as NAC, it provides immune support and has great antioxidant potential. It has the ability to slow down the aging process by neutralizing cell and DNA damage caused by free radicals. NAC also plays a protective role against cigarette smoke and other airborne pollutants. It's the most effective way to boost levels of cellular gluthatione, the body's primary antioxidant. In addition, it helps in the formation of keratin, which encances skin, hair and nail strength.

Lycopene: This antioxidant contributes to life-long protection against harmful UV radiation. It helps produce thicker, denser and stronger skin. Researches are currently studying its preventive properties in everything from cervical cancer to osteoporosis.

Grean Tea extract: This antioxidant is often added to supplements for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Resveratol: A plant-derived antioxidant commonly forund in grape skins, this product helps treat skin problems caused by stress and age. It stimulates collagen synthesis and blocks the negative effects of UVB radiation. Absorption is improved when taken with DMAE.

Hyaluronic acid: Produced by the body, this substance aids in formation of skin and cartilage. It's a popular ingredient in skincare products because it's vital to cell repair, increase water retention by more than 1,000%, promotes elasticity and fights formation of wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid is an expensive material that can drive up the price of supplements. ( It's also the main ingredient in Restylane and Juvaderm.)

Pantothenic acid: Known as vitamin B5, it's rare to be deficient in this substance. However, a little extra won't hurt. Research has shown that B5 accelerates the healing process, improves skin consistency, reduces acne and decreases pore size??

Choose products that specifically target the skin, hair and nails, rather than vague, all-purpose supplements.

Next, consider the research and testing that's gone into product development. Before AdorageMD Skin Formula hits the shelves, there were years of clinical studies in France and two years of testing in an FDA-approved laboratory, as well as tests in a dermatological office in Manhattan?, Umanskaya says.

Skin Formula, for example, was engineered with three goals in mind: 1) Use as many ingredients as possible known to promote healthy skin,

2) Each ingredient must show real results, and 3) The dose should be limited to no more than two capsules per day to fit busy lifestyles