Skin, Hair & Nail Health

Basic Info

Skin is our boundary with the outside world and the body’s largest organ. It communicates important information about our world through nerves via our sense of touch, which can protect us from burns, pressure, and injuries. It also creates vitamin D, a critical hormone, through exposure to sunlight. Skin also plays a role in protecting us from heat, dehydration and exposure to harmful substances like bacteria and viruses. Our hair, nails and sweat glands all reside in our skin. Various skin infections and chronic conditions are often caused by invaders, such as foods that elicit an autoimmune response, chemical exposures, viruses and bacteria, and other toxins. While creams and medications like corticosteroids can minimize symptoms, lifestyle changes including eating whole foods and drinking plenty of water can be beneficial in easing inflammation as well as strengthening hair, nail and skin. Avoiding stress and substances that commonly cause allergies and sensitivities—such as heavily perfumed soaps, fabric softener, solvents, metals, chlorine, and nail glue—will help us care for our overall body, as well as our skin.

Latest
Fascia: The Living, Interconnected Web Behind Movement and Healing–How to Enhance Its Function

Fascia: The Living, Interconnected Web Behind Movement and Healing–How to Enhance Its Function

For decades, fascia was dismissed as little more than a thin layer that wraps around nearly everything in your body.

4hr
Histamine Intolerance: An Underrecognized Condition That Can Affect Multiple Organs—Here Are the Causes

Histamine Intolerance: An Underrecognized Condition That Can Affect Multiple Organs—Here Are the Causes

Histamine intolerance occurs when the body struggles to break down histamine from food or its own natural production.

28d
Most Skin Aging Can Be Significantly Delayed

Most Skin Aging Can Be Significantly Delayed

Moisturizers do little to help the skin, however, most skin aging can be significantly delayed.

34d
Urticaria, Eczema, and Shingles: How TCM Remedies Soothe Seasonal Skin Problems

Urticaria, Eczema, and Shingles: How TCM Remedies Soothe Seasonal Skin Problems

In traditional Chinese medicine, seasonal skin irritation is seen as a sign of internal imbalance, caused by the invasion of wind, cold, dampness, and heat.

62d
Your Skin Has Natural Sunscreen, and How to Tap Into It

Your Skin Has Natural Sunscreen, and How to Tap Into It

Dermatologists have long recommended daily sunscreen, but some researchers say gradual spring sun exposure may help the skin build its own natural protection. 

67d
Vitiligo: The Autoimmune Condition That Turns Skin Against Itself–Here Are the Causes

Vitiligo: The Autoimmune Condition That Turns Skin Against Itself–Here Are the Causes

Early patches usually appear on the hands, forearms, feet, and face, where they can lighten the skin and sometimes even whiten the hair.

77d
The Backyard Weed That Heals Wounds and Soothes the Gut

The Backyard Weed That Heals Wounds and Soothes the Gut

Plantain has a long history of healing prowess and was used by cultures ranging from the ancient Greeks to Native Americans.

88d
When Stress Shows on Your Skin: From Sudden Hair Loss to Chronic Inflammation

When Stress Shows on Your Skin: From Sudden Hair Loss to Chronic Inflammation

Psychological stress can affect our body's brain-skin connection, leading to various skin diseases.

96d
This Ancient Oil Ritual Cleans the Scalp, Eases Stress, and Improves Sleep

This Ancient Oil Ritual Cleans the Scalp, Eases Stress, and Improves Sleep

For healthy hair and a relaxed mind and body, bathing with plant oils infused with essential oils is a simple yet luxurious practice.

103d
Melanoma: The Aggressive Skin Cancer That Can Spread Quickly–Here Are the Warning Signs

Melanoma: The Aggressive Skin Cancer That Can Spread Quickly–Here Are the Warning Signs

Despite its reputation as one of the leading causes of skin disease–related deaths, melanoma is highly treatable when detected early.

105d
Eczema Is More Than ‘Dry Skin’: 5 Practical Tips You Can Apply

Eczema Is More Than ‘Dry Skin’: 5 Practical Tips You Can Apply

Treating a child's eczema involves tending to the child's entire ecosystem.

195d
Sleep Before 11 PM to Unlock Your Skin’s Golden Repair Hours

Sleep Before 11 PM to Unlock Your Skin’s Golden Repair Hours

Sleeping before 11 p.m. may do more for your skin than even the most expensive beauty products.

199d
Toenail Fungus: A Stubborn Infection Affecting 1 in 10 People–Signs to Watch For

Toenail Fungus: A Stubborn Infection Affecting 1 in 10 People–Signs to Watch For

More than a temporary cosmetic problem, the infection could gradually worsen and spread across the nail.

203d
How to Use Winter Squash to Soothe Dry, Cracked Skin

How to Use Winter Squash to Soothe Dry, Cracked Skin

From your kitchen to your skin care routine, this simple seasonal ingredient delivers a natural boost for dry winter skin.

206d
What Your Hair Can Reveal About Your Health

What Your Hair Can Reveal About Your Health

Experts warn that testing is not yet standardized enough for reliable health screening.

207d
Why Going Gray Might Be Your Body’s Way of Fighting Cancer

Why Going Gray Might Be Your Body’s Way of Fighting Cancer

Japanese researchers find that going gray may protect against melanoma. 

210d
Why Your Skin Darkens and Ways to Brighten It

Why Your Skin Darkens and Ways to Brighten It

Extended exposure to blue light from electronic screens may cause pigmentation spots and a dull complexion.

211d
How to Use Rose Hips for an Autumn Boost of Vitamins C and E

How to Use Rose Hips for an Autumn Boost of Vitamins C and E

Simple ways to harvest, prepare, and enjoy these bright red fruits rich in essential nutrients.

214d
‘Ozempic Face’ Rises With Rapid Weight Loss: What You Need to Know

‘Ozempic Face’ Rises With Rapid Weight Loss: What You Need to Know

Many people want to lose weight, but not in their face, as it can make them look older.

253d
5 Common Hair Routine Mistakes to Avoid

5 Common Hair Routine Mistakes to Avoid

Hair is healthiest when the cuticle is intact and the scales are tightly sealed. An incorrect hair care routine can damage the cuticle and break the hair.

260d
When Anti-Aging Products Speed Up Skin Aging

When Anti-Aging Products Speed Up Skin Aging

Certain products make skin more vulnerable to sunlight.

261d
‘Sephora Kids’: Online Influencers Spur Tweens to Load up on Anti-Aging Skin Care

‘Sephora Kids’: Online Influencers Spur Tweens to Load up on Anti-Aging Skin Care

Dermatologists warn adult products can irritate young skin and undermine self-worth.

269d
Nature’s Alternatives to Popular Hair Loss Drugs

Nature’s Alternatives to Popular Hair Loss Drugs

'Saw palmetto, in essence, works in a similar way to what finasteride does,' says a hair transplant surgeon.

273d
Foods That Fight Wrinkles

Foods That Fight Wrinkles

One major culprit in skin aging is glycation, a process in which sugars bind to proteins such as collagen and elastin.

282d
Shingles: Dormant Virus That Emerges After Decades—Here are the Causes

Shingles: Dormant Virus That Emerges After Decades—Here are the Causes

Shingles is a burning, blistering rash that affects more than 1 million Americans each year, with risk increasing after age 50.

287d
5 Things to Know About Hair Transplants

5 Things to Know About Hair Transplants

Imagine your hair is like a grove of trees on a hillside: The transplant procedure does not plant new trees but rather relocates healthy ones.

288d
Psoriasis: 2nd Most Common Autoimmune Condition—5 Lifestyle Approaches May Help

Psoriasis: 2nd Most Common Autoimmune Condition—5 Lifestyle Approaches May Help

The immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, causing them to build up and form thick, scaly patches.

308d