Just like you prioritise brushing your hair and teeth, washing your makeup off daily (well, we hope so!) and applying all those creams and lotions, have you considered how important it is to take care of your skin and body from the inside too?
We call this your beauty wellness routine – because rather than just focusing on which eyeshadow looks good on you, or which face serum to buy, incorporating wellness principles into your beauty routine (and really thinking about healthy habits you can practice daily) can make all the difference to how your skin and body feels and functions.
So, what does beauty wellness mean? Simply put, it’s about understanding what your body as a whole needs, in the form of nutrients, to thrive. And just like the beauty routine you follow, your beauty wellness routine should be simple, yet effective enough to give you the energy and confidence to tackle your day with joy.
The importance of nutrients for your skin & body
When assessing your beauty wellness goals, let’s take a moment to consider just how important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential fatty acids are for your skin, hair, nails, and body. These are especially important as you approach your 40s, 50s and beyond, along with collagen which your body needs to stay strong and supple.
In essence, the nutrients you take in are responsible for:
- Overall cellular growth and repair
- Maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier
- Offering protection from environmental factors such as UV rays and pollution
- Hydrating the skin, thus preventing fine lines and wrinkles
- Helping the body to produce collagen
- Maintaining a strong healthy gut and immune system (which has a direct effect on your skin)
- Keeping inflammation levels down
- Speeding up the healing process
- Maintaining the tone and evenness of your skin
The truth about our food
In an ideal world, you’d get all the nutrients you need from foods including grains, fruits and vegetables. However, in recent years, multiple studies have shown that it might be hard to get all the vitamins and minerals we need just from food. This is because of a few modern-day agricultural practices such as how crops are grown, various food processing methods, and the quality of the soil.
For instance, a report published in the American Society for Horticultural Science found that the mineral content of fruits and vegetables has declined over the past 50 years. After analysing data from 43 different fruits and vegetables, researchers found that levels of calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin, and vitamin C had all decreased.
Other studies have shown that chemical fertilisers and pesticides can negatively impact the nutrient content of crops, while Harvard researchers have highlighted that peeling the outer layers of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may remove important plant nutrients and fibre.
Similarly, heating or drying foods can cause some vitamins and minerals to be lost. While food manufacturers may try to add some of these nutrients back, it's impossible to fully restore the food to its original form.
So, what does this mean for us? While it’s still very important to eat a variety of whole, minimally processed foods to ensure you're getting a good balance of nutrients, it’s not a bad idea to give your skin and body a helping hand with smart supplementation. By this, we mean taking just the right amount of essential nutrients (in supplement form) to fill the dietary gaps but not overload the body.
Does your skin need some TLC?
Nutrient deficiencies can be subtle, yet they can have a big impact on your skin. There are several signs that your skin may be lacking in certain nutrients. Here are some of the most common signs:
1 Dryness and flakiness
If your skin feels tight, dry and flaky, it may be a sign that you're not getting enough essential fatty acids or vitamin E.
2 Dullness and uneven texture
A lack of vitamin C can cause your skin to look dull and uneven, with a rough or bumpy texture.
3 Acne and breakouts
A zinc deficiency can lead to acne and breakouts, as this mineral plays a key role in regulating oil production and preventing clogged pores.
4 Premature aging
If you’re suddenly noticing more fine lines and wrinkles, particularly around your eyes, cheeks and mouth, it may be a sign that you're not getting enough antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C, and E. These all help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.
5 Redness and inflammation
A lack of omega-3 fatty acids can worsen the symptoms of redness and inflammation, as these healthy fats have anti-inflammatory properties.
TOP TIP: If you think you might have a vitamin deficiency, it's a good idea to speak to a healthcare professional, like a doctor or registered dietitian. They can perform tests and assessments to help determine if there is a deficiency and provide recommendations on how to address it.
What your skin needs to thrive
To take care of your skin which happens to be your body’s largest organ, it’s vital that you get the following nutrients daily:
Protein
Protein is essential for the growth and repair of skin cells, and it’s directly linked to how much keratin your body produces. (Keratin is another type of protein that can do wonders for the health of your hair, skin, and nails. To produce keratin, your body requires specific nutrients such as protein, biotin, and vitamin A.)
Vitamin A
This vitamin promotes skin cell turnover and keeps the skin looking smooth and supple.
Vitamin C
A potent antioxidant, vitamin C protects the skin from damage caused by free radicals, plus, it plays a role in producing collagen – another essential protein your skin, hair and nails need to thrive.
Vitamin D
When it comes to skin health, vitamin D has many important functions, one of which is that it assists with the growth and development of skin cells, which can help to prevent a variety of skin problems, including dry skin, acne, and psoriasis.
Vitamin E
Like vitamin C, vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from damage and maintain the skin’s moisture level.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3s help to reduce inflammation in the body and keep the skin healthy and supple.
Zinc
This trace mineral is important for wound healing and can also help to reduce inflammation in the skin.
Antioxidants
Certain antioxidants protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can be produced in the body because of exposure to environmental stressors, such as pollution and UV radiation.
Help is at hand
Feeling overwhelmed with all the nutrients your skin, hair and nails need to shine? Don’t fret – we’ve done the hard work for you and spent years formulating one of the best clean, science-backed beauty wellness supplement ranges on the market.
One of our primary goals at Tululla is to simplify your beauty wellness routine. How? Well for a start, we’ve formulated a smart supplement range with just the right amounts of nutrients in each of our products (plus, we’ve added in some superfoods and essential anti-ageing heroes too), so that you don’t have to waste countless time (and money) on the wrong supplements or skincare products that your body can’t utilise efficiently.
Joining forces with 50 and Me
We've also been featured on 50 and Me's website, where founder Marna Grobler has created a platform for like-minded women to come together and celebrate living life with abundant energy. Her aim is to empower women with the right beauty and wellness solutions to reinvent themselves and pursue their passions no matter what age or stage they're at. We're proud to be a part of this movement!
