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Skin, Hair and Nails: What Affects Their Condition and What Can We Influence?
✨ Skin, Hair & Nails
What influences their appearance and what can we actually control?
Skin, hair and nails are influenced by more than cosmetics
Their condition can be influenced by many interconnected factors, including age, genetics, hormones, nutrition, sleep, stress, UV exposure and everyday care. That is why a change in skin, hair or nails should not automatically be reduced to one vitamin, one cosmetic product or one supplement.
Age
Genetics
Hormones
Nutrition
UV exposure
Stress
Sleep
Skincare
Skin is an organ, not just the body's outer covering
Skin forms an important boundary between the body and the outside environment. Its role is not only cosmetic.
Barrier
Helps form the body's protective outer barrier.
Water balance
Helps limit excessive water loss.
Temperature
Participates in temperature regulation.
What are the main layers of skin?
The outer layer and an important part of the skin barrier.
A deeper layer containing connective tissue and structures including collagen and elastic fibres.
The layer beneath the skin that includes, among other structures, fatty tissue.
What changes in skin as we age?
Skin ageing is a natural biological process. Over time, its structure, hydration, renewal processes and mechanical properties change.
Collagen
Elasticity
Hydration
Renewal
Skin barrier
Ageing and photoageing are not exactly the same
Biological ageing refers to natural changes that occur over time. Photoageing describes changes associated with long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Read our dedicated guide to skin ageing, anti-aging care and the factors that can realistically be influenced.
Skin ageing & anti-aging without the myths →What does skin need from nutrition?
Skin requires energy and a range of nutrients for its normal structure and function. There is no single food or supplement that determines how skin will look.
Protein
Vitamin C
Essential fats
Vitamins & minerals
Adequate hydration
Dietary proteins are broken down during digestion into smaller peptides and amino acids, which the body can then use in many different processes.
How does hair grow?
The visible hair shaft grows from a hair follicle located within the skin. Hair is composed largely of structural proteins called keratins.
Hair shaft
The visible part of the hair.
Hair follicle
The structure within the skin from which hair grows.
Keratin
A major structural protein in hair.
Hair follows a natural growth cycle
Some daily hair shedding is therefore a normal part of the hair cycle. What matters is a noticeable change from what is usual for the individual.
Why can hair change or shed more than usual?
Increased hair shedding does not have one single cause. A range of factors may be relevant depending on the individual situation.
Genetics
Hormonal changes
Major stress
Illness or fever
Rapid weight change
Nutrition
Age
Some medications
When hair changes noticeably, it can be useful to consider what has changed over the previous weeks or months rather than immediately choosing another supplement or cosmetic product.
What are nails made of?
Nails are composed mainly of keratin. Their appearance can be influenced by everyday care, mechanical stress, age and other individual factors.
Keratin
Protein
External care
A white spot, ridge or change in nail appearance does not automatically identify one specific vitamin or mineral deficiency.
What is collagen and where is it found?
Collagen is one of the major structural proteins in the human body and is found in many connective tissues.
Skin
Bones
Tendons & ligaments
Cartilage
When comparing collagen products, it is useful to look beyond the words “marine” or “bovine” and consider the source, type, processing, amount per serving and overall formulation.
Read our guide to collagen types, marine and bovine sources and what to consider when comparing products.
Collagen: marine vs bovine & how to choose →Vitamin C, zinc, iron & biotin
Vitamins and minerals have different roles in the body. More is not automatically better, and supplementation should not be based only on the appearance of skin, hair or nails.
Contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
Contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, hair and nails.
Iron status may be relevant in some individual situations. High-dose supplementation should not be started without a reason.
Contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and skin.
Higher biotin intake can interfere with some laboratory tests. If you take biotin supplements, tell your healthcare professional or laboratory before testing.
Hyaluronic acid and skin hydration
Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the human body and is widely used in cosmetic skincare products.
Hyaluronic acid is commonly included in products designed for hydrating skincare.
Hyaluronic acid is also found in some food supplements. Oral intake and topical cosmetic application are not the same thing.
The skin barrier, environment, age, cleansing habits and skincare routine can all be relevant to how dry the skin feels and looks.
Hormones, stress & sleep
Skin and hair can change during different stages of life and during periods of increased physical or psychological strain.
Puberty, pregnancy, the postpartum period, menopause and other hormonal changes can coincide with changes in skin and hair.
Significant physical or psychological stress may also affect sleep, eating habits and everyday routines.
Sleep is an important part of general health and recovery.
Skincare & at-home beauty technology
Nutrition and lifestyle do not replace external skincare. A simple routine can include gentle cleansing, hydration, attention to the skin barrier and sensible protection from excessive UV exposure.
UV protection
Gentle cleansing
Hydration
Skin barrier
What about beauty devices?
At-home beauty devices can use very different technologies. Ultrasound, microcurrent, EMS, ions and light should not be treated as one identical method.
Learn how an ultrasonic skin scrubber can be incorporated into a home beauty routine.
Beauty Biowave Exclusive ultrasonic skin scrubber →When should you seek professional advice?
Not every wrinkle, broken nail or hair in a brush indicates a health problem. New, significant or progressive changes deserve more attention.
✨ What should you consider first?
Skin, hair, nails – or several areas?
Suddenly or gradually?
Illness, stress or a major lifestyle change?
Is the overall diet varied and adequate?
Is there enough time for rest and recovery?
Skincare, a supplement or a beauty technology.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Is dry skin always caused by not drinking enough water?
No. The skin barrier, age, environment, cleansing habits and skincare can also be relevant.
Is hair shedding always caused by vitamin deficiency?
No. Hair changes can have many possible explanations, including genetics, hormonal changes, age, illness, stress, nutrition and some medications.
Is marine collagen always better than bovine collagen?
Not automatically. Source, collagen type, processing, amount per serving and overall formulation should all be considered.
Does more biotin always mean better hair?
No. Higher intake is not automatically better, and biotin can also interfere with some laboratory test results.
✨ Looking for the right category?
Explore our Skin, Hair & Nails Advisor for collagen, beauty nutrition, skincare and BeautyBiowave devices.
Explore the Skin, Hair & Nails Advisor →✨ Explore more health & beauty topics
Discover more Kingray Academy articles about nutrition, skincare, healthy ageing and everyday wellbeing.
← Back to Kingray AcademyIf you notice sudden, significant or persistent changes in your skin, hair or nails, seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional.