Nutricosmetics to show off skin, hair and nails
Published: 8 July, 2019 - Updated: 10 November, 2020 | 4'
What is nutricosmetic and how does it work?
Nutricosmetics is a type of natural cosmetics that uses the components of an adequate diet to enhance external beauty. The main difference with traditional cosmetics is that the latter acts from outside directly, whereas the effects of nutricosmetics are much deeper and longer way as it acts from inside the body to supplement an adequate diet.
Nutricosmetics is, therefore, a dietary supplement based on natural nutrients and active ingredients in high concentrations. In other words, it contributes, along with food, the appropriate active ingredients for each cosmetic need, thus promoting the beauty objectives achieved through a healthy diet.
Why should we supplement the diet with nutricosmetics?
As we have already seen, a balanced diet is essential to maintain a healthy appearance and enhance our beauty, as we provide the body with the most beneficial nutrients. However, situations and factors such as ageing, exposure to the sun, oxidative stress, smoking and eating habits, often lead to imbalances within the processes of the body.
Skin, hair and nails are the most exposed parts of the body to external agents that may damage their appearance, reduce their shine by making them look unhealthy. Throughout the year and especially when the seasons change, it is essential to pamper and care for them. To do so, nutricosmetics may help us thanks to the natural active ingredients that act from the inside and supplement our diet in a very easy and effective way.
What are the most widely used active ingredients in nutricosmetics?.
We may mention some of the most widely used active ingredients in nutricosmetics, which have specific properties to enhance beauty from the inside in a natural way:
Collagen.
Collagen is one of the main ingredients of nutricosmetics that have been shown to improve the appearance of the skin. This protein is an important component of the structure of the skin, and its properties allow the skin to be firm, smooth and elastic. However, as the body ages, the loss of collagen is evident and affects the appearance of the skin. In other words, the natural production of collagen is reduced. In fact, it is estimated that from the age of 40 half as much collagen is produced as in adolescence.
Therefore, it is possible to balance the natural loss of this protein by increasing the amount of collagen in the diet and complementing it with nutricosmetic supplements, thus helping to maintain the natural firmness of the skin.
Probably, the effect of collagen on the hair is not so well known. This protein provides benefits in the body that are directly related to the strength and shine of the hair and nails. In this way, taking collagen in our diet and supplements helps to maintain the volume and shine of the hair, making it look healthier.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a natural and essential component of the skin, since it helps to hydrate the skin, thanks to its high water retention capacity, and also of the dermis, as it contributes to the natural production of collagen.
Antioxidants and Vitamin C
Antioxidants are also essential for a healthier and more youthful appearance of the skin, hair and nails as their properties help to combat the effects of ageing.
Cells need energy for their metabolism and during this process oxidative free radicals are produced. Our body has a very effective antioxidant system that balances out this oxidation, which can damage cells. However, there are certain factors, such as ageing, that cause this system not to be as efficient. As the body ages, the natural antioxidants slow down and oxidation action becomes more evident.
Vitamin C is one of the key antioxidants, as it provides hydrogen and oxygen to the amino acids that boost natural collagen production. In fact, when there is not an adequate amount of vitamin C in the body, collagen production decreases.
Fatty acids.
Fatty acids such as Omega 3, 6 and 9 are particularly interesting as a nutritional supplement for skin beauty. Their presence is essential in stressful situations for the skin, such as exposure to the sun, as they help to make the skin firm, elastic and moisturised. These components are used by the body as an energy source and are also an essential part of tissue structure and cell membranes.
Other active ingredients used in nutricosmetics.
Some other active ingredients used in nutricosmetics to care for skin, hair and nails are minerals such as zinc and other components such as biotin (vitamin B7 or H), niacin (vitamin B3) and riboflavin (vitamin B2) which contribute to the good maintenance of skin and hair.
Does the use of nutricosmetics really help?.
The answer to this is certainly positive provided that they are used properly as a supplement to a balanced diet.There is scientific evidence that a lack of some nutrients affects directly the external appearance, therefore, when internal and external factors unbalance the amount of nutrients, it is useful to supplement the balanced diet with appropriate products,
either in capsule format or as a drinkable supplement,
the most innovative format in the area of nutricosmetics today, the aim is always to accompany a balanced diet with useful quantities of active ingredients that help to maintain the beauty of our skin or hair.
