At Gina Conway, we do our best to ensure that we take the best possible care of your hair and skin with the combination of our professional team and botanical products. However, as our Nutritional Therapist, Deeba Anandan explains, the glowing skin and glossy hair that we all crave starts from the inside.
How important is diet in the appearance of our skin and hair?
Deeba: The food that we eat impacts every single part of our body. Our skin is our largest organ and our first line of defence. That is why it is so important to take good care of what we put into it as well as onto it.
There are many factors that influence the health of our skin and hair – age, hormones and genetics to name a few. Many of these are out of our control, but one factor that is within our control is our diet. There is no question that our diet and lifestyle play an essential role in how our skin looks and ages.
Our skin and hair are remarkable barometers of our body’s health, so providing them with the nutrition that they need is a key component of flawless skin and lustrous hair.
What are the top foods for healthy skin and hair?
Deeba: Where do I start?! There are so many but if I had to choose, these would be my top picks.
- Strawberries: For plump, younger looking skin
A good excuse to continue after Wimbledon season! Rich in vitamin C, strawberries are essential for the production of collagen – the protein that gives skin its strength and elasticity. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant and consuming sufficient quantities is thought to reduce the signs of ageing.
- Salmon: For shiny locks and smooth skin
Salmon is a great food to incorporate into your diet because it provides a source of protein and essential fats. Protein is a key structural component of our hair, skin and nails and therefore are fundamental for their health. Essential fats, in the form of Omega 3’s, are anti-inflammatory therefore contributing to smooth skin.
Oily fish are the best sources of omega 3 but if you don’t eat fish you can get them from flaxseeds, chia seeds and walnuts.
- Sweet potatoes: For skin protection and repair
Sweet potatoes are abundant in the skin-hero vitamin A. This vitamin is an antioxidant, protecting the skin against UV damage as well as being instrumental in skin repair and renewal. If our diet lacks vitamin A this could result in dry, rough skin. Just a quick note on safety here – pregnant women should be careful with their vitamin A intake, as excess can be detrimental to the baby.
- Almonds: For protection, youth and strength
Almonds are rich in the skin-protective vitamin E. Vitamin E provides defence against environmental damage and slows down skin ageing. Almonds are also a source of calcium, a nutrient known for its role in strong hair and nails.
- Eggs: For moisture and strength
Eggs are a nutritional powerhouse containing significant amounts of zinc, selenium and biotin – all of which are key to healthy hair and skin.
If there was one tip you could give people to improve their diet for the health of their skin and hair, what would it be?
Deeba: One of the simplest tips that I often start with is to ‘eat a rainbow’. Wait a minute! Before you head to the nearest newsagent, I’m not talking about eating a packet of skittles. I’m talking about consuming a variety of coloured fruit and vegetables in your diet. The different colours are indicative of the different nutrients that they contain. If you aim to eat at least three different colours per day, you will be doing wonders not only for your skin and hair, but for your overall health.
For more nutritional tips and a mini health audit, why not book in some time with Deeba for your free 30 minutes consultation at our Wimbledon branch?