Healthy Hair,
Skin & Nails

The health and strength of your hair, skin and nails are more than just a confidence booster ─ they are also a great indication of your overall wellbeing. The state of these organs are impacted by everything from the food we eat to our lifestyle and stress load.

And while a lot of beauty products offer treatments that work from the outside in, it is also super important to support your hair, skin and nails from the inside out! That’s why we’ve put together a list of health hacks for both inner and outer radiance.

Essential Organs

Although shiny hair, supple skin and sturdy nails are gorgeous to look at, they’re not just about aesthetics ─ their primary role is actually to protect your body. Along with your skin, your hair and nails are a part of the integumentary system, or the set of organs that sit outside of your body. They defend the body against invading pathogens, protect deeper tissues and internal organs, excrete waste, regulate your body temperature, detect pain, pressure, and sensations, and even maintain fluid balance. When they start to lose their shine or weaken it can be an indication of other underlying health issues.

Nutrition has a huge impact on their condition ─ if you’re on point with your diet, the rest tends to follow. A balanced eating plan full of protein, healthy fats and fresh fruits and vegetables can help you naturally achieve shiny hair, glowing skin and strong nails. Other than this, there are several ways you can start to support the radiance of these important organs from the inside and outside.

Inner Beauty 

Hydration Nation ─ drinking enough water is super important for supple skin, strong nails and great hair. Every cell, tissue and organ in your body requires hydration to properly function, and support the detoxification process. Drink at least 8 glasses per day!

Relax ─ obviously this is easier said than done, but stress and anxiety strongly impacts our overall health and brings about unwelcome changes to our bodies. Take time to evaluate and eliminate sources of stress in your life and consider regular exercise and meditation to manage.

Avoid Cigarettes ─ cigarettes are quite terrible: they prematurely age the skin, make the hair brittle and thin out, stain your teeth and discolour your fingernails. Skip them!

Sleep More ─ while you sleep the body works hard to rebuild healthy new cells. Lack of sleep has a direct impact on your complexion and health, so try to be disciplined about getting enough shut eye.

Exercise is Essential ─ regular movement contributes to proper circulation and increases blood flow to scalp, nails and face which in turn helps to maintain that radiant glow.

Supplement Support ─ some supportive nutritional additions include:

• Collagen: a protein and essential building block for healthy skin, hair and nails. Collagen also supports gut health which contributes greatly to the wellbeing of these organs.
• Biotin: one of the best known beauty supplements, biotin is a B vitamin that helps break down food into energy; a deficiency in this can lead to hair loss, brittle nails and rough skin.Research shows that supplementing with biotin can significantly help hair growth (especially in women). Find it in eggs, cauliflower, beef liver and legumes.
• Omega-3s and 6s: reduce inflammation and regulate oil production. Found in fatty fish, flax and chia seeds and walnuts.
• Iron: hair, skin and nails can also suffer and become lackluster if you’re lacking iron. Not enough iron shows up as cracks at the corner of the mouth, general weakness and spoon-shaped nails.
• Zinc: an essential micronutrient that encourages hair growth, protects from sun damage and is important for growing sturdy hair and nails. Not enough zinc shows up as fragile hair, hair loss, and slow wound healing.

Antioxidant Royal Trio ─ made up of vitamins A, C and E, this family of antioxidants slows environmental damage and encourages cellular repair and renewal.

• Vitamin A: essential for immune system and skin health. You may be more familiar with the term ‘retinol’ a type of vitamin A commonly used in skin products. A lack of vitamin A shows up as scaly, dry skin and hair loss. Find it in many foods including salmon, sweet potato, kale, pumpkin and carrots.
• Vitamin C: assists in the synthesis of collagen, and improves the absorption of iron. Especially high in bell peppers, kiwi, pineapple and strawberries
• Vitamin E: a fat soluble compound important for the functioning of many organs and your immune system. Found in swiss chard, olives and peaches.

Outer Beauty

Get Your Hair Trimmed Regularly ─ regular trims help get rid of damaged and broken hair, and promote healthy hair growth for better general condition.

Skip the Heat ─ excessive heat is harmful for our delicate locks; whenever possible, skip styling with heat.

Natural Oils ─  some natural additions can include peppermint, rosemary, lavender, cedarwood and tea tree oils to promote healthy hair growth. Jojoba,  argan, almond and coconut oil can  also be good moisturizers for the skin and nail cuticles.

Sun Protection ─ protect yourself from harmful UV rays by minimizing your time in the sun during peak hours, wearing sun protective clothing and of course slapping on some sunscreen. Go the extra mile and choose a mineral-based sunscreen free of harmful chemicals to be even kinder to your skin.

Silk Pillowcase ─ silk is easier on your hair and skin because it causes less friction and damage. Treat yourself and try out a silk pillowcase!

Non-Toxic Beauty Products ─ anything you put on your body can have chemical compounds that may irritate or inflame it. And because the hair, skin and nails are so porous, they will directly absorb these dangerous chemicals and circulate them throughout the entire body. Make sure to read the ingredients on all your beauty products!

To wrap it up: outer beauty is a sign of inner wellness, but it is important to have patience with the process. The quest for healthy natural beauty is an ongoing one that can be difficult to navigate at times. Be gentle with yourself, nourish your body inside and out and know that you will reap what you sow ─ put in the effort and you will inevitably see the results.