Who doesn't want shiny hair and youthful skin? We spend countless hours and money on maintaining their appearance, often resorting to chemical-laden products that can be harmful.
But what if there was a natural solution that could nourish your skin and hair while benefiting your entire body?
Blackcurrants are a time-tested beauty secret, loaded with compounds that promote hair growth and strengthen skin. Modern science confirms this age-old wisdom, with research highlighting the antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and omega-fatty acids in blackcurrant seed oil that can boost hair and skin health.
Omega fats in blackcurrants feed the skin
Fatty acids are the building blocks of fat in our bodies. Omega fatty acids are structures of fatty acids that studies have found are particularly beneficial for skin integrity and hair health.
Omega 6 fatty acids in particular regulate oil production, reduce inflammation and improve skin barrier function. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties that support smooth skin.
Not only do blackcurrants contain omega fatty acids that are essential for healthy hair and skin, but they also contain one of the worlds highest concentrations of ‘anti-aging’ antioxidants.
‘Anti-aging’ antioxidants are natural hair and skin solutions
Antioxidants are anti-aging because they stabilize free-radicals in the cells. Unstabilized free radicals, as studies have shown, cause oxidative damage that can lead to prematurely aged skin and dry, brittle hair.
Your body also needs specific vitamins to build strong skin and hair. Blackcurrants are a great source of two of these vital vitamins.
Vitamins for hair and skin health
One cup of blackcurrants contains 1.12mg of Vitamin E.
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can protect the cells in your hair follicle from breaking down, therefore reducing hair loss (1).
Vitamin E also has antioxidant effects in the skin and has been used for decades in clinical dermatology.
The vitamin E found in blackcurrant seed oil can
- Helps moisturize your skin
- Protects your skin from the oxidizing effects of sun exposure.
- Strengthens your skin cells
- Prevent premature wrinkles
- Vitamin E is also found naturally in our skin sebum where it helps to retain moisture (2).
Vitamin A is also essential for skin integrity, and one cup of blackcurrants contains 258 IU of vitamin A.
You may have heard of vitamin A in the context of improving night vision (which is not entirely true); vitamin A is also essential in producing your skin’s sebum (oil) where vitamin E is stored. This sebum keeps your skin and scalp moisturized, resulting in that natural shiny gloss of healthy hair.
The vitamin A found in blackcurrants can
- Support skin oil production
- Strengthen hair follicles
- Improve hair growth through retinoic acid content (3).
Vitamins are essential for lifelong healthy skin and hair, but they’re not the full picture; micronutrients and minerals are equally as important.
Minerals for hair and skin health
Blackcurrant berries are abundant in micro-nutrients that we often miss in our diets, such as zinc, iron, magnesium, and copper.
- Zinc helps to synthesis collagen leading to taught looking skin
- Iron strengthens hair by transporting oxygen (one key sign of iron deficiency is brittle hair)
- Magnesium is unique; it helps to balance hormones like cortisol, reducing chances of acne and inflammation
- Copper may support the integrity of cell walls, increasing blood flow and nutrient delivery to the follicles
Blackcurrant seed oil over whole blackcurrants
Blackcurrant seed oil and the whole blackcurrant contain different variations of beneficial compounds.
Blackcurrant seed oil is richer in omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids than the whole blackcurrant.
Making it a better choice for healthy skin, hair, and nails. The oil also contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which may have anti-inflammatory effects.
Whole blackcurrants, on the other hand, are a rich source of vitamin C, minerals, and fiber. They are a stronger choice if your aim is to support your immune system or promote digestive health.
Blackcurrants are a well researched, and time-tested natural solution for skin and hair health. Their abundance of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids help to improve signs of aging; skin elasticity, hair strength, and moisture.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one way of supporting strong hair and supple skin, Women’s Wellness provides the perfect balance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Resources
Toshi, D.N. (2023). Blackcurrant: Uses, Benefits and Nutritional Value. [online] PharmEasy Blog. Available at: https://pharmeasy.in/blog/ayurveda-uses-benefits-side-effects-of-blackcurrant/
Keen, M. and Hassan, I. (2016). Vitamin E in dermatology. Indian Dermatology Online Journal, [online] 7(4), p.311. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-5178.185494.
VanBuren, C.A. and Everts, H.B. (2022). Vitamin A in Skin and Hair: An Update. Nutrients, 14(14), p.2952. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14142952.
