Healthy diet key to younger, glowing skin

The secret to achieving a youthful, glowing complexion does not lie in downing beauty supplements. A balanced diet and staying away from cigarettes could be more beneficial, reveals British Nutrition Foundation researchers.

Along with iodine, zinc and vitamins A, C, B2, B3 and B7, many supplements contain added ingredients such as green tea, pomegranate extract and fish oil and these can do wonders for the skin only if it is taken as part of a healthy diet.

British Nutrition Foundation nutrition science manager Ayela Spiro said: "As consumers can spend hundreds of pounds a year on oral beauty supplements, we felt it was important to investigate the association between the ingredients in these products, and the signs that we associate with skin ageing, such as wrinkles, loss of elasticity and moisture.

"While there is a body of research on the science of skin ageing, evidence for the benefit of nutraceuticals to skin appearance is currently not strong enough to draw firm conclusions."

Women tend to spend a lot on beauty products and supplements to maintain their youthful glow, and according to a research by TotallyMoney.com, the average individual in the UK spend almost £4,500 on their looks throughout the year.

Meanwhile, another early research suggests practising facial yoga or exercises for the facial muscles to look younger.

The findings of a new research suggest that "non-invasive, non-toxic, at-home exercises that anyone can perform can possibly slow or correct the appearance of volume loss in the face," which is associated with aging, lead study author Dr. Murad Alam, vice chair and professor of dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, told Live Science. "Facial attractiveness and youth are associated with a smooth, full facial contour, so even a modest improvement of facial contour is a win for patients," Alam said.

The study involved middle-aged, predominantly white women.