Five top tips for flawless skin, hair and nails in 2020

For many of us who take an active interest in trying new beauty products, it’s certainly rewarding seeing how our appearance improves due to new beauty products – this may be a new serum or hair oil. Although the best advice to maintain healthy skin, hair and nails is to drink plenty of water, get enough sleep, and eat a healthy balanced diet, there is more we can do (e.g. hair and nail vitamins). So, if you’re always on the lookout for new beauty products, look no further. We will explore top tips for skin, hair and nails in 2020.

Skincare

Microneedling

A new trend that has become increasingly popular is microneedling, also known as derma rolling. Essentially, a wheel covered in tiny needles is rolled on the face, creating tiny punctures.

As well as being effective in keeping the skin young, microneedling helps reduce the appearance of scars, as well as stimulating the release of collagen and skin cell turnover. This procedure is pain-free, non-invasive and gives quick results. Your face may be red for a few hours after, but this will settle.

It has been recommended by skincare experts to apply topical treatments after microneedling. This is because the tiny punctures in the skin allow skincare treatments to better penetrate the skin. However, having this procedure done too often can cause damage to the skin by breaking capillaries, so it’s always best to consult a dermatologist before going ahead with treatments like this.

Retinol

Retinol is one of the few ingredients recognised for scientifically preventing signs of ageing. Seriously, if you haven’t got this in your skincare regime, you’re doing it wrong.

A derivative of vitamin A, retinol helps in preventing signs of ageing, acne, hyperpigmentation, skin texture, blemishes, and sun damage (to name a few!). The popularity of retinol has soared more recently, with affordable brands like The Ordinary making simple and effective ingredients affordable.

When applying retinol, only use it at night as it is unstable in sunlight. It’s also important not to forget to apply sunscreen every day — retinol makes your skin more sensitive to sun damage. Even if it’s a typical cloudy day, wear it!

Q10 Cream

Q10 cream is great for older skin. Effective in delivering hydration and reducing the appearance of wrinkles, this cream is ideal for those seeking a natural defence against ageing. Coenzyme Q10 production reduces as you get older, so give the largest organ in your body some TLC.

Pharma Nord’s Senior Nutritionist, Frankie Brogan, discusses their Q10 cream:  “Our Q10 cream is a formula based on a range of evidence-based ingredients, shown in research to deliver skin-benefiting properties. Co-enzyme Q10 helps protect the skin from damage by free radicals and dermatological studies in Germany showed Q10 can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.  Pycnogenol contains various bioactive compounds which, in research, have shown to increase micro-circulation to the skin, help protect collagen from breakdown and enhance the production of hyaluronic acid, the body’s moisturiser’. Jojoba Oil has a great affinity with human skin and leaves a velvety, non-oily feel. Apricot Kernel Oil is rich in vitamins E and A, plus fatty acids and is easily absorbed and Squalane (from olive oil) can help prevent moisture loss, ideal for damaged skin.”

Hair

Shampoo bars

Plastic pollution is a concern among many industries and is no stranger to the beauty industry. Shampoo bars are becoming more popular parallel to rising demands for greener alternatives.

Shampoo bars are exactly what they sound like: bars of shampoo for your hair. And like bars of soap, they don’t come in plastic bottles, which minimise plastic waste. A small bar can last three times longer than a bottle of shampoo, which is more cost-effective in the long run.

Using harsh chemicals like sodium chloride on your hair can dry your hair out and leave residue. Shampoo bars don’t contain these harsh chemicals unfriendly to the hair and scalp, yet still have a fantastic ability to foam. Good for the environment and good for your hair — what’s not to love?

Nails

Biotin supplements

Nails are indicative of health — a lack of important vitamins and nutrients can make your nails brittle and weak. Luckily, nutrient deficiencies can be easily fixed with health supplements. Biotin is a vitamin found naturally in foods such as egg yolk, salmon, avocado, nuts, and seeds. If you find that you aren’t getting enough Biotin-rich foods into your diet, this vitamin supplement can help encourage nail growth and health. The recommended daily dose is between 30 and 100 micrograms. There are no known serious side-effects of having too much Biotin, as it will pass through your body.

Biotin isn’t just beneficial for nails but helps skin and hair too.

Beauty products are constantly evolving, so keep your eyes peeled for other exciting beauty trends!

The editorial unit