When it comes to the health of your skin and the hair on your head, you make a conscious effort to take care of it. But are you aware of the ingredients you’re pumping into your system? use this checklist to get on the right track to looking your best.
SKIN
As your body’s largest organ, your skin has a big job. It’s your first line of defence when you expose yourself to the outside world. With this in mind, it’s time to take your skincare game to the next level.
Anti-Ageing
While it’s obvious to suggest the best anti-ageing supplements contain vitamins, you must get the right ones that specifically target the ageing process. Gulping down a bunch of anti-oxidants from a cast of many won’t help you achieve glowing, radiant and youthful skin. Read the list of ingredients carefully, so you know what you’re ingesting.
Vitamin A
Known as a fat-soluble, this vitamin helps to maintain the integrity of your cells as you age. Found in some retinol, it’s a powerful and essential antioxidant that also combats free radicals. It has anti-ageing properties that hold your lining barriers in place and keep them healthy. A bonus: it’ll sharpen your eyes and improve the health of your hair.
This water-soluble vitamin is a super-potent antioxidant that helps your body fight free-radical damage. It brightens your skin naturally, which is particularly useful for those who struggle with hyperpigmentation. By stepping up your production of collagen, vitamin C decreases rough- feeling skin and the appearance of wrinkles. Those with dry skin should have a higher dose of vitamin C due to water loss.
Vitamin D
This powerhouse is one of the best ways to keep your skin looking youthful. It’s a naturally occurring fat-soluble that’s essential for your body to function optimally. Put simply, it maintains your body’s cells, resulting in brighter-looking skin. You feel healthier and look younger.
Vitamin E
The more you expose yourself to the sun, internal toxins and environmental pollutants, the more the vitamin E levels in your skin decrease. So, if you spend lots of time in the sun and you’re starting to develop fine lines, this one’s for you. Vitamin E supports anti-ageing by helping to regulate your hormones, renewing skin cells, boosting your skin’s natural moisture content and healing it, and regulating your blood pressure.
Zinc
This antioxidant helps to repair your skin, heal wounds, and regulates your production of sebum (oil). If your body’s unable to produce it naturally, you can add it to your diet. It boosts your body’s anti-inflammatory functions, which play a significant role in controlling acne, and the overall
management of skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea. Vegan and vegetarian diets tend to be low in zinc, so it’s advisable to add a supplement to your diet.
Magnesium
Better known as the chill pill, magnesium has a phenomenal ability to balance the effects of your
stress hormones, which ultimately reduces the harmful effects of anxiety on your skin. Excessive stress results in higher production of insulin, which can cause your pores to clog, leading to acne breakout in some people.
Pycnogenol or Plant-Based collagen powder This helps you to maintain the natural collagen levels in your skin as you age. Pycnogenol is a natural anti-ageing ingredient that improves your skin’s collagen production and elasticity – which is fantastic if you have wrinkles or fine lines. Grape seed extract is another common ingredient that’s equally as effective. If you want to keep your skin looking and feeling as youthful as possible, then plant-based collagen powder is the best route to go. It contains a blend of rich antioxidants to protect your cells from free-radical damage and supports collagen.
HAIR
We’re all guilty of overindulging in blowouts, dye jobs, perms and all the rest. It’s not always a question of how damaged your hair is, but how to fix it. Here’s how to revive lacklustre locks.
Scalp Protection
A healthy scalp is everything. Keep your follicles clean as it prevents blockage and inflammation, which could lead to hair thinning. Weekly scalp treatments that contain salicylic acid, or even a dandruff shampoo (even if you don’t have dandruff), and massaging your scalp make a long-term difference.
A balanced diet
A healthy diet means that the food you consume should be balanced and have all the vital nutrients your body needs. Go for green, leafy vegetables, foods that are high in protein to help your hair grow such as fish, eggs, chicken, and those that are rich in antioxidants to boost your metabolism and, in turn, improve your blood circulation for a healthy scalp.
Supplementation
Hair supplements that are rich in vitamins and minerals such as biotin and vitamin D contain vital ingredients for a healthy scalp. Consult your dermatologist if you’re unsure of the best supplements for your hair type.
Your wash routine
Try not to over wash your hair as it can cause it to lose moisture and your scalp to become dry – your scalp needs essential oils that travel from root to tip. Regular conditioning keeps your hair free from knots, takes away the stress from your roots, prevents damage and leaves it feeling smooth and looking shiny. Use a gentle brush that doesn’t pull and tug on your hair too much, and avoid brushing your hair when wet as that’s when your roots are at their softest and are more likely to fall out. Always use a heat protectant before adding heat to your hair to avoid damaging it.
