by Stacey Gillespie

We’ve all heard it before, but true beauty really does come from within. When diet is lacking essential nutrients, it’s written all over consumers’ faces—and their hair, nails and the rest of their skin. By nourishing the body with whole foods, herbs and other key supplements, inner health can’t help but shine through to create healthy hair, strong nails and a glowing complexion.

Beauty Food

An important factor in achieving radiant beauty is supporting the body’s ability to detoxify. This starts with a whole foods diet. Organic raw foods are packed with antioxidants, enzymes and phytonutrients that help support the liver and nourish the body. Whole foods also provide fiber, which soaks up toxins as they pass through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Encourage consumers to incorporate foods like blueberries, cranberries and oranges into their diet. They’re packed with vitamin C, a potent antioxidant helps protect against the free-radical damage that causes aging. The body also uses vitamin C to make collagen, the protein that gives skin strength and elasticity.

Must-Have Nutrients

The body’s natural detoxification process relies on vitamins, minerals and healthy fats to function properly. Dull hair, brittle nails or skin blemishes can indicate a deficiency or a breakdown in this process.

Like vitamin C, vitamin E combats free-radical damage. It also aids healing and tissue repair. All of the B vitamins are essential for hair, skin and nail health. Biotin is particularly important for hair and skin—studies find it may even help prevent hair loss in some men.

Copper works with zinc and vitamin C to form collagen. By regulating activity of the oil glands, zinc may help prevent acne. Thin, peeling fingernails and hair loss may be signs that you need more zinc. Silica is necessary for collagen formation, and sulfur helps protect the body against toxins, helping to slow the aging process.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs), particularly the omega-3s found in fatty fish, help keep skin smooth and supple and give hair a healthy shine. EFAs fight inflammation, an underlying factor in many skin conditions. They also help dissolve fatty deposits that block pores and lead to acne.

Helpful Herbs

Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant that blocks toxic compounds from reaching or reacting with body tissues, supporting detoxification. Milk thistle protects the liver from toxins and stimulates the production of new liver cells.

Chaste tree and red clover promote hormonal balance. Imbalances are a factor in acne, redness and other skin afflictions. Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects, while rosemary stimulates circulation and digestion, both important for healthy skin. It also helps detoxify the liver. Horsetail aids calcium absorption, promoting healthy skin and strong hair and nails. Nettle can help stimulate hair follicles and regulate the buildup of oil on the scalp. Look for these herbs, vitamins and minerals in a complete, whole food-based hair, skin and nail formula.

Lifestyle Tips

Staying hydrated is a key to staying beautiful. Most of us will drink enough to quench our thirst, but not nearly enough to compensate for the water lost during the day. Water carries nutrients into and waste out of the cells. Experts recommend drinking half your weight in ounces of water every day.

Using a natural-bristle skin brush before getting in the shower and brushing skin gently but vigorously, stroking toward the heart, not only helps stimulate detoxification on the inside, but also exfoliates dead skin cells on the outside, improving skin tone.

Finally, encourage shoppers to get enough shut-eye. During sleep, the cells repair and the body releases melatonin, a hormone that has positive effects on the skin.

When the body is nourished from the inside, the results will show on the outside. Consumers will feel great physically and mentally, and look great too—overall well-being is the essence of beauty.

Stacey Gillespie has a Bachelor of Science in human nutrition and is the director of marketing for MegaFood, a purveyor of premium artisan whole-food supplements made from organic and fresh, locally grown foods.