Top 7 Benefits of Zinc for Skin and Hair Health

Zinc primarily serves to protect your immune system by preventing viruses and bacteria from invading your body. One of the many essential nutrients zinc is also an important one that your body needs.

Apart from nourishing your body from the inside out, adding zinc is also one of the best minerals for your skin and hair heath. How can zinc support healthy hair? Continue reading to discover out. But first, let's review some fundamentals of zinc.

Highlights

• What is Zinc?
• How does Zinc benefits your skin?
• How does Zinc benefits your hair?
• How to incorporate Zinc in your skin care and hair care routine?

What is Zinc?

Zinc is an essential mineral which is required in a number of cellular processes occurring in the human body. It is needed for various health benefits such as cell growth, division, immunity, hormone production, wound healing, thyroid function, blood clotting and eye health.

The term ‘Essential’ means it is not produced in your body and therefore it needs to be supplemented either through Zinc rich foods or supplements. Both plant and animal-based foods are good sources of zinc

How does Zinc benefit your skin?

You must have noticed the presence of Zinc in your personal skincare products such as sunscreens, lotions, toners, soaps, and moisturizers because it serves as a remarkable antioxidant. Using the right skin care products along with healthy lifestyle can help you to achieve healthy and youthful skin.

Zinc benefits for skin

• Photo-protection

Sun rays can cause detrimental effects on skin, like free radical damage photoaging, hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Zinc oxide (ZnO) infused in sunscreens acts as a shield to protect your skin from harmful UV radiations. It is often included in mineral sunscreens and sun blocks to provide broad spectrum protection against both UVA and UV B radiations.

• Reduces excess sebum and acne

Acne develops when oil, dirt and bacteria build up in skin pores, causing the skin around the pore to turn red, swollen and tender.

Zinc possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which helps to reduce acne breakouts when applied topically. There are tons of research studies that show promising results of zinc in inhibiting the growth of acne bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes. It also regulates the production of oil, excess sebum and male hormones that are implicated in the development of acne.

• Prevents clogging of pores

Skin cells called keratinocytes produce keratin and also forms a barrier between skin and environmental aggressors. Production of keratinocytes, in excess can lead to blocked pores and acne.

Zinc has been shown to regulate the production of keratinocytes. It acts as a mild astringent and decreases the chances of dirt and grime buildup in pores, thus preventing clogging of pores and future breakouts.

• Promotes skin healing

Zinc is known to support wound healing. With its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it enhances skin repair function and reduces redness and inflammation. It helps to relieve eczema, acne rosacea, irritation, dermatitis, itchy and dry skin.

• Reduces hyperpigmentation

Research studies have demonstrated the positive effect of zinc on reducing hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanocyte stimulating factors. Melanocytes are cells responsible for production of dark pigment, melanin. Higher levels of melanin lead to darkening of skin, pigmentation and uneven skin tone.

How does Zinc benefit your hair?

Link between Zinc for hair health was established when studies revealed that zinc deficiency can lead to deterioration of the protein structure that forms the hair follicles. This weakening of follicles can in turn retards hair growth.

Zinc benefits for hair

• Reduces hair loss

Zinc for hair growth has been always been confusing, but zinc works here by accelerating hair follicle recovery. It also plays an important functional role in hair follicle division and cycling. This further improves hair health and reduces unwanted hair loss and supports follicle health (You can also try to control hair fall and get stronger hair with some remedies at home along with hair care products).

• Regulates hair growth

As skin helps in controlling hair loss, it also enhances healthy hair growth by inhibiting entry of hair follicles in catagen phase (also called as hair follicle regression) and also leads to an improved anagen stage of hair growth cycle. Both topical application and incorporating natural zinc in your diet is necessary for hair health. Additionally combining zinc and biotin reverses hair loss and help in steady hair growth.

• Controls dandruff

Zinc pyrithione is derived from zinc itself. It is beneficial in battling seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) and Malassezia (fungus which causes dandruff) because it offers antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial characteristics. It stops yeast from growing, which is what causes dandruff on the scalp. Reduction in fungi reduces free fatty acids, scalp flaking and itch and thus treats the cause of dandruff.

• Lowers Androgenic Alopecia Risk

Zinc has been found to have antiandrogenic potential because it inhibits the activity of the enzymes 5-reductase type 1 and type 2. Some of the body's testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by this enzyme. The main hormone behind both male and female pattern baldness is DHT.

By affecting the enzyme, zinc supplements and foods that are high in zinc help lower DHT levels and enhance hair growth.

How to incorporate Zinc in your skin care and hair care routine?

• You can apply Zinc PCA based oil free foaming cleanser for reducing acne breakouts, if you have oily acne prone skin. It regulates excessive sebum production and gently cleanse off dirt and impurities.
• You can use astringent containing Zinc oxide. It will help to shrink skin pores and can absorb excess oil. It will keep your skin dry.
• Incorporate a mineral sunscreen enriched with Zinc oxide in your skincare routine. This sunscreen will provide broad spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB radiations. You should use it regularly at daytime before sun exposure, and reapply it at least every two hours.
• Zinc pyrithione based anti dandruff shampoo will work wonders for you by significantly reducing dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis and also relieves itchy scalp.
• You can also apply hair serum containing Zinc to rejuvenate and nourish your hair follicles, ensuring optimum hair growth and reducing hair loss. You can use a hair growth serum twice daily at affected hair to limit hair thinning.

Bottom line

Last but definitely not the least, zinc has a number of benefits to offer for healthy skin and hair. As a key ingredient in cleansers, astringents, sunscreen, shampoo and tablets it definitely works wonders to provide healthy hair and beautiful skin while enhancing your immunity. And you don't have to pay dollars to get this lovely ingredient into your skin care and hair care routine.

FAQs

Q. Is zinc good for skin and hair?

Ans. Zinc aids in maintaining healthy skin and lessens the effects of sunburn and early ageing on the skin. Additionally, it is essential for the development of hair follicles and hair regeneration. These are some of the various benefits, including whether it should be ingested or used topically to achieve attractive skin and healthy hair.

Q. Is zinc good for hair health?

Ans. A severe zinc deficit may result in hair loss as zinc is also a necessary component for hair growth. Additionally, zinc guards against dandruff and scalp infections.

Q. Does zinc make skin glowing and radiant?

Ans. Zinc contains antioxidants that helps in promoting youthfulness and radiance in the skin. This necessary mineral can also aid in avoiding acne, dullness, and dryness of the skin when. both topical and oral usage of zinc benefits skin

Q. Does zinc improve skin?

Ans. A vital mineral that benefits the body both inside and out is zinc. Even your skin, which is the largest organ in your body, can benefit from it. Zinc is particularly helpful for inflammatory acne and associated scarring because of its anti-inflammatory properties.