Did you know that all the powerful ingredients for your skin can also benefit your hair? If you’re a wash-and-go girl, here's why it’s time to upgrade.
While we’re not suggesting you need every product for a complicated multi-step regime, investing in the right ingredients could be the secret to getting healthier hair. "We often see skincare trends transcend into hair care, particularly scalp care, because ultimately our scalp is skin," explains Trichologist Anabel Kingsley. "It secretes sebum, sheds dead skin cells, and ages just like the skin on our face and body. Skincare ingredients can provide the same great benefits for your scalp, and therefore your hair."
So, while these said ingredients used to only sit in your skincare routine, there's been a slow shift to the skinification (an admittedly made-up PR word, but a good one) of haircare routines - with formulas designed to overhaul neglected locks, leading to a swishier, fuller 'do. Thus, it might be time to make some healthy hair changes...
How to create a skincare routine for your hair
As hairstylist Neil Moodie notes: "The scalp and our hair are extensions of our skin and are just as important. It's about using the products and ingredients that are right for you. Even seasons affect hair - you might need some extra hydration in the winter months, just as you will with your skin."
If you're finding your lengths are looking lacklustre and dull, it might indeed be time to afford the same TLC to our hair, as we do our skin - and we've asked the experts how...
1. Use retinol to boost growth
As Kingsley said, the scalp ages just like the skin on your face, so it makes sense to treat it with the same ingredients. Retinol stimulates cell turnover on the scalp, removing a build-up of dead skin that can inhibit hair growth. Using it in a serum, mask or shampoo will promote thicker, fuller hair.
"Retinol increases epidermal proliferation (skin cell renewal), and therefore can assist in the removal of dead skin cells," explains Kingsley. "When you remove build-up, this allows other ingredients to effectively penetrate the scalp." This, in turn, will help all your products and best hair styling products work better.
RRP: £83
This blends retinol with lactic acid, to supercharge cell turnover which leads to improved hair growth. Apply to your scalp on wash day, making sure to really massage it in. Use daily to see the best results.
RRP: £32
Coco & Eve's Youth Revive range is formulated with retinol and probiotics to improve hair growth. It includes a shampoo and conditioner, but the hero is the hardworking scalp mask. Use once a week to keep your scalp balanced.
RRP: £16 for members
This skin oil features bakuchiol, which is a natural alternative to retinol and while it is a skin oil, it can be used sparingly on dry ends, to give your lengths a boost.
2. Thicken with collagen
Collagen occurs naturally in our bodies and is vital for healthy hair growth and supple skin. But as we age, our natural collagen levels deplete, and our hair can thin and skin can slacken.
Collagen supplements help boost our skin and our hair from the inside out, while creams enriched with collagen help to smooth and tighten the skin. Shampoos and conditioners enriched with collagen can also have benefits for our hair, especially if you find yours is thinner than it used to be.
RRP: £28
These contain a potent collagen formula that wraps around each hair shaft to help thicken and nourish thin, flat hair, with a 20% improvement in volume and thickness in just eight weeks.
RRP: £22
Two members of our beauty team have had first-hand experience with these (quite tasty) gummies - when used daily, there was a noticeable improvement in hair growth.
RRP: £7.49
A collagen shampoo is an easy addition to your haircare routine. This one not only works to purify the scalp but is also infused with a blend of biotin, collagen and hydrolysed wheat protein that work to reinforce weakened or damaged strands, sealing in moisture for fuller and healthier-looking hair.
3. Brighten with Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps even out your skin and protects it from pollution and environmental damage. It can work similarly for your hair, brightening up your colour for added radiance, as well as protecting your hair and scalp from free radicals.
"Vitamin C is a great ingredient for the hair and scalp," agrees Kingsley. "For the scalp, it can protect against external aggressors, for the hair it is a fantastic ingredient for removing build-up to reveal your strands' natural radiance and shine."
RRP: £28
This concentrated treatment helps increase the shine and condition of your hair. It deep-cleanses the scalp to leave your hair feeling light and healthy.
RRP: £25
Blending a potent concentration of Vitamin C with balancing prebiotics, this scalp treatment promises to leave your scalp and hair looking clearer and brighter.
RRP: £31.50
This pre-wash treatment targets brittle and damaged strands, with a powerful blend of macadamia and papaya oil and vitamin C. It deeply conditions, to leave your hair stronger and gleaming.
4. Exfoliate with acids
Just like skincare acids help to gently exfoliate your face, they can do the same for your strands, removing a build-up of dirt, product and oil without stripping your hair of moisture.
"Exfoliating acids are another superstar ingredient for your scalp," recommends Kingsley. "I'd advise avoiding physical scrubs, instead opt for a product which has a chemical exfoliant, like glycolic acid or salicylic acid."
RRP: £39
Salicylic acid and citric acid in this shampoo gently remove the product buildup and excess sebum on the scalp without fading your colour. If your hair is oily, it is ideal, but avoid it if it’s on the dry side.
RRP: £10.99
We love the brand's underrated hair range, which contains some hero skincare-inspired ingredients. This glycolic acid exfoliating treatment is a real star buy - it's incredibly effective, at a brilliant price point.
RRP: £12
An exfoliating brush is a must-have for anyone with a dry and itchy scalp, as it stimulates your hair follicles and thoroughly cleanses your roots.
5. Use HA to hydrate
Hyaluronic acid works amazingly on skin. It holds 1,000 times its weight in water and is brilliant at plumping and smoothing parched complexions. The good news is it can do the same for your hair. Incorporating the best hyaluronic acid products will leave strands looking fuller, softer and shinier. Kingsley explains that it can also do wonders for your scalp.
"Our scalps are kept supple due to the contract secretion of oils from hair follicles. However, when something is dry, it is because it lacks water (moisture), not oils. Hyaluronic acid is a great ingredient for retaining moisture."
RRP: £9.99
A (slight) oldie but a goodie, this is a real favourite of the beauty team. Swap your conditioner for this intensely hydrating water, which promises to boost your hair’s hydration levels by 18 times for a glass-like shine.
RRP: £7.95
Swapping your shampoo can make a real difference to your hair. This is a brilliant option, made using HA, jojoba and Argan oils for super soft, silky strands. There's also a matching conditioner and mask.
RRP: £10.99
This lightweight serum works to restore your hairs natural shine, with the help of hyaluronic acid, which works to hydrate and combat frizz.
6. Protect from UV with SPF
Just like your best facial sunscreen protects your skin from the sun, it does the same for your hair. UVB rays can weaken the structure of hair, while UVA fades colour, leaving your hair dry, brittle and washed-out-looking.
"Using products with UV protection not only protects hair from sun damage but also prevents colour fade or lightening," agrees Moodie. "UV rays can break down hair pigment which can make hair lighter in the sun and weaken strands. If clients are going to be outside a lot, I’d always advise using UV protection, as well as taking extra steps like wearing a brimmed hat to protect their scalp and ears."
RRP: £24
This hairdresser favourite is formulated with UVA and UVB filters to protect strands from the heat of the sun. It doesn't feel heavy or greasy, and won't weigh down fine hair.
RRP: £26.80
Moodie always recommends this multitasker to anyone going on holiday to a hot country. It has UV protection but also works as a detangler, hydrator and frizz preventer. It'll certainly earn its spot in your luggage.
