Skin & Self-Care Journal best supplement routine

How To Start A Supplement Routine

Sunday, 25 October 2026 – 6 min read

From magnesium and collagen to vitamin D and probiotics, there's no shortage of supplements promising to support our health and wellbeing. But with so many ingredients, formulations and recommendations to consider, knowing...

Georgia Rhodes Content Editor

The good news? Building a supplement routine doesn't need to mean filling your cupboards with capsules and powders. It's about understanding what your body needs, making informed choices and finding an approach that fits naturally into your everyday life. Whether you're completely new to supplements or looking to be more intentional with what you're taking, here's how to get started.

Why Start a Supplement Routine?

Even with the best intentions, getting every nutrient our body needs isn't always straightforward. Our diets, lifestyles and individual circumstances can all influence our nutritional requirements. While supplements aren't a replacement for a balanced diet, they can help address specific nutritional gaps when needed. The key is choosing supplements that serve a purpose, rather than taking them simply because they're trending.

Identify Your Health and Wellness Goals

Before introducing anything new, ask yourself: what am I actually hoping to support? Perhaps you're focusing on your skin, looking after your digestive health or wanting to make sure you're getting enough essential vitamins and minerals. You might explore skin supplements as part of a wider approach to skin health, or consider targeted vitamins and minerals if your diet isn't meeting certain nutritional needs. Having a clear goal helps you narrow down your options and avoid unnecessary additions. It's also worth remembering that not every wellness goal requires a supplement, sometimes nutrition from your diet is enough.

Start With the Foundations

Before reaching for supplements, it's worth looking at the bigger picture. A varied diet, adequate sleep, regular movement and managing everyday stress all contribute to our overall wellbeing. Supplements are designed to complement these foundations where needed, not replace them. There is no quick fix.

However, certain nutrients can be more difficult to obtain through diet and lifestyle alone. Your age, lifestyle, dietary preferences and health circumstances may also influence whether supplementation is appropriate. For example, those following a vegan diet may need to pay particular attention to vitamin B12 intake.

How to Choose the Right Supplements

Not all supplements are created equal, and knowing what to look for can make choosing the right formula much easier.

Consider these four things before buying:

Ingredients: Look for clearly listed active ingredients that align with your nutritional needs, rather than simply choosing the longest ingredient list.
Dosage: Check how much of each nutrient you're getting and follow the recommended serving instructions. More isn't always better.
Quality: Choose reputable brands that are transparent about their formulations, ingredient sourcing and quality standards.
Format: Capsules, powders, liquids or sprays? The best option is one that's suitable for you and easy to use consistently.

It's also worth checking whether a supplement contains multiple active ingredients. Sometimes, a targeted formula is more appropriate than a complex blend containing nutrients you may already be getting enough of.

But how do you know what your body actually needs? That's where personalised guidance can make a difference. Through our partnership with Now Often Always (NOA), you can access comprehensive blood testing, expert nutritionist support and tailored supplement recommendations based on your individual needs.

Not sure where to begin? You can also book a complimentary 15-minute consultation with a NOA nutritionist to explore whether their personalised approach is right for you.

Can You Take Different Supplements Together?

It's tempting to think that because supplements are widely available, they're always safe to combine. But certain vitamins, minerals, and herbal ingredients can interact with medications or with one another. For example, taking a multivitamin alongside several individual supplements could mean unintentionally doubling up on certain nutrients. If you're taking prescribed medication, have an existing health condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your GP or pharmacist before introducing new supplements.

How to Build a Daily Supplement Routine

Once you've established what's appropriate for you, the next step is making it work with your lifestyle. Some supplements are best taken with food, while others have specific timing requirements. Always follow the individual product instructions rather than assuming everything can be taken together.

A few simple habits can help:

Keep supplements somewhere visible, but safely out of children's reach.
Associate taking them with an existing habit, such as breakfast.
Set a daily reminder if you're likely to forget.
Choose a format that works with your schedule.

The aim is to create something manageable that you can maintain, rather than another complicated task on your daily to-do list.

Common Supplement Mistakes to Avoid

One of the biggest mistakes is assuming that taking more supplements will deliver better results. Exceeding recommended doses can be harmful, while combining similar formulations may provide more of certain nutrients than your body needs. It's also important to manage expectations. Not every supplement produces noticeable changes, and any potential benefits will depend on the ingredient, your nutritional status and individual circumstances.

Avoid following supplement trends without considering whether they're relevant to you. What works for someone else might not be what your body needs.

When Should You Review Your Supplement Routine?

Your nutritional needs aren't necessarily the same throughout your life, so your supplement routine shouldn't be set in stone. Changes to your diet, lifestyle, medication or health can all be reasons to reassess what you're taking. If you're supplementing to address a diagnosed deficiency, follow your healthcare professional's advice on monitoring and reviewing your progress.

Discover Supplements at Face the Future

Starting a supplement routine is about making thoughtful choices that support your individual needs, without overcomplicating your everyday life. At Face the Future, we've curated a selection of health and wellbeing supplements to help you explore your options with confidence.

Whether you're considering your first supplement or reviewing your current favourites, our team is here to help you make more informed choices. Explore our supplements and discover what's right for you.

New Supplement Arrivals