If it’s good for your skin it must be great for your hair, right? This is the argument these days and now we have science to back it up.

From anti-aging and wrinkle free creams, to stem cells and antioxidants, these ingredients were used in skin care products and are now being incorporated into haircare products.

Skin and hair are composed of similar proteins and fats, and they constantly need renewal. The best way to achieve this is through a balanced diet and protecting your skin from harsh sun and other chemicals.

According to cosmetic chemist Jim Hammer, skin has the capacity to heal itself through normal biological processes. Hair, on the other hand, is "dead," and it needs much more care to stay healthy and feel soft and smooth.

We all want long thick hair that has a shine and doesn’t fall off with a touch. That’s why top dermatologist Dennis Gross recommends switching to haircare line with anti-aging benefits. They will treat your scalp and your hair will revert into its younger state.

A handful of haircare brands are following Gross' lead, infusing products with high-tech ingredients formerly reserved for our faces. We took a closer look at the skincare ingredients making a name for themselves in the haircare world.

Collagen & Elastin Proteins

As we age our hair tends to become finer over time as follicles miniaturize after menopause. It may become brittle and coarse. The effects of UV ray takes its toil leading to damage hair. Enter collagen — produced in our bodies but as age catches on, its production slows down.

Collagen and elastin proteins cling to the hair’s surface, plumping and softening it. Plant-based stem cells essentially serve as antioxidants, curbing free radical damage and flushing out harmful metals such as lead from our bodies.

When used on skin, collagen helps delay wrinkles and sagging. When applied to the scalp in a leave-in treatment, it reinforces hair follicles helping strands remain inflexibly planted for a thicker head of hair.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid helps skin retain more water leaving it moisturized for long. The hyaluronic acid is produced in our bodies to make sure our skin doesn’t dry up and crack.

That’s why this acid is found in lotions and serums and creams and is highly effective on dry skin. The molecules hold onto water better than just about everything else leaving the skin supple and well moisturized.

When used on hair in the form of shampoo like the John Masters Organics Bare Shampoo which contains hydrating jojoba oil and hyaluronic acid, it protects hair from heat styling.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid, which is effective in the treatment of acne, helps keep break-outs at bay on your body. It is FDA approved. It’s also found naturally in the willow bark. The acid kills bacteria found in acne leaving the skin to heal naturally.

This acid is a fantastic exfoliator for both skin and scalp. In haircare products, it works in a similar way. It removes built up product and kills any bacteria that remains on your hair, making it look dull, as well as making your scalp itchy, and hindering your hair growth.

Stem Cells

There are two types of stem cells, human-derived and plant-derived. Human stem cells carry a host of ethical questions while plant-based stem cells are said to not be as effective.

Both varieties will work when used according to instructions as the stem cells trigger skin cells to regenerate more quickly and act like younger cells. In this regard, it's a useful tip.

Studies done by biologist Paul Knoepfler at the University of California Davis School of Medicine, point towards stem cells being used to cure baldness. As for plant stem cells, some products contain plant stem cells, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants to protect and hydrate the scalp and help you grow healthier hair.

Ceramides

Ceramides are lipids found in skin care products designed for sensitive or eczema-prone skin. They create a protective barrier, helping your skin hold onto moisture while protecting from it from outside elements.

If your hair is prone to breakage or splitting, ceramides coat the hair shaft and reinforce, making it stronger. Try Kérastase Fibre Architect before styling as it fills in holes and strengthens each hair strand. If you're looking for a deep treatment, there's Biolage Color Care Cera-Repair Pro which is hydrating without weighing hair down. 

Unfortunately though, a lot of these types of products contain unnatural and artificial or synthetic ingredients, along with extremely harmful chemicals that your hair doesn't need.

Antioxidants and SPF

If you are stepping out of the house, sunscreen is a must no matter your complexion. The rule of thumb is to moisturize and protect your skin with sunscreen.

You need antioxidants that will prevent formation of wrinkles on your skin. They work by neutralizing wrinkle-creating free-radicals caused by pollution and ultraviolet rays.

From green tea to pomegranate, the market is crowded with sunscreen products. The trick is to find one that works with your particular skin type.

Use green tea while rinsing to coat strands and protect from harsh sun rays. Most color-preserving shampoos, conditioners, and styling products contain UV filters that act like sunscreen for your hair, with antioxidants that neutralize free radicals which make hair brittle.

Some products have filters derived from wintergreen and cinnamon bark oils that contain the antioxidants green tea, sunflower oil, and vitamin E to protect from free-radical damage to the scalp and hair.

Growing healthy hair starts from the inside by eating a healthy diet rich in nutrients and drinking enough water to get rid of toxins.

Having a good hair regimen will also help your hair stay clean and moisturized. Clean your hair regularly with shampoo and conditioners and massage your head to increase blood circulation in the scalp to aid hair growth.

Avoid hairstyles that pull or dig into your scalp. If you happen to color your hair, use the color protecting products to minimize drying and shedding. If you can, avoid color at all costs. Use natural products to take care of your hair such as willow bark extract and clay masks that help clarify hair.