HEALTH + WELLNESS
First, let’ s define what we mean by beauty, a term that classically can convey murky connotations. In many cultures including our own, historically the idea of beauty has been inextricably linked to shallow and often unattainable standards- mostly applied to women. Manipulated and defined over time by media and advertising industries, who earn a pretty penny from insecurity, as well as by outdated patriarchal norms valuing appearance over intellect and accomplishment, and social comparison with peers and celebrities, which studies have shown – you guessed it – women are far more likely to fall foul to than men, these‘ standards’ are damaging at best.
Often resulting in rivalry and judgement amongst women, a negative internalised selfworth linked solely to external appearance and societal exclusion of people who don’ t‘ fit’ such dominant norms, beauty as a construct has gradually been manufactured, becoming less about self-expression and health and more about conformity and approval – both of which are not only limiting, but dehumanising, too.
Certainly here at iKHQ( and I’ d like to say slowly but surely in society) however, we’ re all about reframing beauty in terms of health and wellness; beauty doesn’ t have to be a trap, and is instead something we can and should be reclaiming and redefining as rooted in wellbeing, authenticity and self-respect. The problem isn’ t beauty, but how beauty has been defined and thankfully, it appears times are finally changing.
Beauty is now more about vitality. Instead of looking‘ young’ or‘ thin’, beauty is becoming more aligned with energy, resilience and vibrancy, reflecting inner balance. Beauty can also be translated as mental and emotional wellbeing- confidence, joy, calmness and compassion are visible, and a person at peace with themselves radiates inner beauty hence the rapid rise and wider accessibility of practices like meditation, mindfulness and gratitude. Crucially, beauty in its wider sense is finally being accepted as self-care, not self-judgment; skin care, movement, nutrition and finding beneficial supplements to support each stage of life are all empowering when done from a place of love not shame.
In the spirit of this, we’ ve rounded up some key areas of interest in the beauty, health and wellness sphere and dug a little deeper as to how they can boost beauty – both on the skin-deep surface and from within.
Collagen
A vital protein that supports skin elasticity, hydration and overall firmness, making it great for natural beauty, collagen production declines over time leading to wrinkles, sagging skin and brittle nails. Supplementing with collagen can help restore youthful skin, strengthen hair and nails, and improve joint health, as well as supporting a glowing complexion by maintaining the skin’ s structure and moisture. Primarily found in powders and capsules, collagen is an easy addition to a beauty routine, nourishing the body from within and providing a healthy, natural boost.
Eye Skincare
The value of the UK eye skincare market is projected to grow to nearly £ 1.8 billion by 2032, which is a figure that can’ t be ignored. The windows to the soul, our eyes convey emotion, personality and vitality … and they’ re also one of the first areas to show signs of ageing, with fine lines, puffiness and dark circles appearing due to the skin’ s delicate structure. Targeted anti-ageing eye products, formulated to hydrate, firm and brighten, can help restore a more youthful radiance and smoothness around the eyes, instantly enhancing your own natural glow.
Skin
There’ s no question that well-moisturised skin reflects self-care, contributing to both overall appearance and inner confidence. Moisturising your body, hands and face is essential for maintaining healthy, radiant skin, helping lock in hydration and preventing dryness, flakiness and irritation. Consistent moisturising also improves skin texture, making it smoother and softer, while also promoting elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines and supporting the skin barrier against environmental damage. Hands are often ignored here, so show them some love – and always use an SPF!
Joints
Ageing healthily and happily isn’ t just about what we put on our skin, it’ s about movement and vitality, so caring for your joint health is essential for mobility and comfort. Healthy joints support a strong posture, fluid movement and regular physical activity, and staying active keeps your body strong and your skin glowing while good posture improves your poise, so they go hand in hand for overall health. Today’ s booming health and wellness market is awash with excellent joint health supplements, so add one to your daily routine and not only will you help keep pain, stiffness and limited mobility at bay, but you’ ll reflect that priceless beauty that radiates from strength and confidence.
Peri / Menopause
Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can lead to weight gain, skin ageing, thinning hair, mood swings and sleep disturbances amongst a whole host of other equally charming symptoms. Addressing these symptoms through proper nutrition, lifestyle changes and targeted supplements and treatments helps maintain hormonal balance, promotes radiant skin and supports emotional wellbeing, so proactively managing this natural transition should boost both confidence and energy – both of which can suffer horribly when this inevitable stage in every woman’ s life rears its unwelcome head. Prioritising support during menopause isn’ t just about symptom relief, it’ s a holistic approach- empowered health leads to empowered beauty, after all.
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