Anastasia's Guide to Natural Beauty

I work in a healthstore, and as such, end up filling my head with information about natural remedies, therapies, vitamins & mineral supplements and herbal products, and what they really do.

Some of the most common complaints are about hair, skin, and nails. Most people know the basics - vitamins E and A are good for skin - but they don't know why, and manufacturers exploit this by splashing buzz-words on products that are full of chemicals and plastics.

In answer to this, I thought I'd write a quick run-through of the best things for natural beauty, from the inside out.

Skin

• Sensitive skin: Loads of our customers have skin ranging from a little sensitive, to conditions like eczema and psoriasis, and want products that can help treat the condition, soothe their skin, or not break them out in reactions.
• Irritated skin, eczema or psoriasis: Aloe vera products (gel, creams), manuka honey (UMF 5-25 depending on severity), Dead Sea Spa sea salt (in a bath), vitamin E oil.
• Youthful skin: Drink plenty of water, consider vitamin E, A and C supplements, selenium, silica and collagen tablets. Evening Primrose Oil (containing Omega 6) can also be beneficial.
  
• Acne: Echinacea & burdock, zinc.
• Dry or Spotty skin: Echinacea, tea tree oil, Essential Fatty Acids (DHA & EPA found in fish oils).

Hair

• Hair Condition: Hair needs a lot of the same vitamins and nutrients that skin does - silica is even more important here, along with aloe vera shampoo or sweet almond oil (rubbed into the hair and left overnight) for shiny, smooth condition.
• Thinning Hair/Hair Loss: For promoting hair-growth for anyone with thinning hair, or worried about hair-loss, try a daily kelp supplement. (Note: not suitable for anyone on thyroid medication).

Nails

• Once again, nails need silica to stay strong - so it's a great all-round supplement. Nails also benefit from the same antioxidant vitamins and minerals that your hair and skin do, and gelatin is essential for healthy nail condition. You don't have to spend money on tablets - try eating a cube of jelly every day :]

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How does it all work?

Vitamins A, E, C and the mineral selenium are all powerful anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants help to combat free radicals - incomplete groups of oxidized cells within the body that bounce around, damaging DNA. They've been proved to contribute to cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's and other conditions, as well as the premature aging of skin.
In addition, vitamin A promotes repair and maintenance of the skin, and vitamin E improves circulation, which can help an uneven complexion.

Zinc is a mineral which, in addition to promoting wound healing and helping reduce scarring, also helps to maintain the oil balance within the body, and it is thought that zinc deficiencies can be a cause of acne.

Silica is a trace mineral that strengthens the body's connective tissues - muscles, tendons, hair, ligaments, nails, cartilage, and bone - and is vital for healthy skin. Silica deficiency can result in reduced skin elasticity and can hamper the body's ability to heal wounds. (Source: Naturalnews.com)

Collagen along with elastin is responsible for keeping the skin soft, thick, strong and flexible. Some damaging influences (smoking, sun exposure, pollution) can decrease levels of collagen in the body and lead to crinkling, creasing, thinning skin. Replenish with a collagen supplement.

Echinacea & Burdock both have blood-cleansing, detoxifying properties, thought to help improve acne-prone skin.

Of course, everyone is different, and just because something has a good effect on one person doesn't mean it will on another - I only mention products that I receive good feedback about from people who've tried it, but that's no guarantee that you will have the same results.