IF you've tried numerous detox and dieting regimes, you can still give your beauty a boost in other ways. Beauty oils, growth stimulators and supplements can give your hair, skin and nails an added lift.

"By ensuring that your body has the nutrients it needs, and including a few key herbs, oils and other remedies in your regular routine, you can quickly improve the quality of your skin, hair and nails," says Susan Curtis, director of Neal's Yard Remedies and author of Looking Good And Feeling Younger.

"Supplements do not replace the need for plenty of water, a good balanced diet and regular exercise, but provide the key nutrients needed and guarantee adequate levels of the building blocks for healthy skin, hair and nails."

Look good from top-to-toe by enhancing your body from inside out...

SUPPLEMENT YOUR DIET

You may be clued-up on your favourite make-up products and potions but where do you start on searching for the right beauty-boosting supplements?

Susan says: "The key nutrients that should be included in your diet via food or supplements are essential fatty acids which nourish and moisturise the skin from within, calcium which adds strength to hair and nails, and antioxidants which are essential to protect against environmental pollutants and sun exposure and reduce the impact of ageing."

And you don't have to wait months to see results. Start taking beauty supplements for skin, hair and nails and most people will notice some improvement after just two to three weeks. After six weeks real changes should be noticeable, says Susan.

SUPER SKIN SECRETS

Ever wondered how Hollywood stars radiate that golden glow? You don't need to go under the knife or have a facialist on speed dial to achieve radiant skin. Just add a few special ingredients to your diet.

Susan's herbal secrets should give your skin a surgery-free, cheap and cheerful lift. Scour your local health shop or supermarket for these beauty ingredients:

  • Rosehips, drunk as a tea or sprinkled into salads, are rich in collagen-producing vitamin C.
  • Dandelion, camomile and peppermint teas encourage healthy elimination, which can reduce outbreaks.
  • Liquorice root combats many types of dermatitis, reduces skin inflammation and is useful in treating symptoms of stress and allergies.
  • Parsley is much more than a garnish. It is high in vitamins A, B and C which are all great for skin.
  • Alfalfa boosts the body's immune system due to its concentration of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and sodium, which encourage healthy skin.

SKIN CHEATS

Oils rich in essential fatty acids are your secret to sensational skin. "Applying the right EFA-rich plant oils to the skin helps to prevent water loss, repair the natural lipid (fatty) layers and restore barrier functions - all of which have an anti-ageing effect," Susan reveals.

Good examples are borage, evening primrose oil, pumpkin seed oil, rosehip seed oil.

TRY: Neal's Yard Organic Beauty Oil, £9 (nealsyardremedies.com); Kimia Exquisite Rejuvenating Facial System, £69 (kimia.co.uk); Green People Hawthorn & Artichoke Formula, £19.95 (greenpeople.co.uk).

If you don't fancy the idea of swallowing or applying oils to your skin directly, skin supplements should work from inside out to complement a daily beauty routine.

TRY: Pro-Ferm+ internal supplements, £55 (pro-ferm.com); Pure Synergy Vegicaps, £47.95 (xynergy.co.uk/08456 58 58 58); Pure-Col, £29.95 (0191 291 3385/collagen4u.co.uk).

HAIR AND NAIL KNOW-HOW

If you want healthy talons and lustrous locks, Susan has this advice: "Increase your intake of essential fatty acids, which nourish hair and nails. EFA oils can also be used topically on your hair or nails. Also take a good multivitamin and mineral tablet - minor deficiencies are often at the root of problems," she advises.

Eating foods high in vitamin B, or taking a supplement can also help encourage healthy hair and nails.

FERTILISER FOR HAIR AND NAILS

If all else fails - and your healthy living diet plan's gone to pot - try a supplement or stimulator to promote hair and nail growth. You may notice a significant improvement in as little as two or three months.

TRY: Tesco Complete Hair/Skin/Nail Food Supplement for Women, £3.99; HairVit capsules, £7.99 (healthaid.co.uk); No Nips No Tucks Hair Skin Nail Formula, £18 (nonipsnotucks.com); Champneys Hair and Nail Nutrients, £10 (champneys.com).

Prefer external growth stimulating treatments to nourish your nails and hair?

TRY: Boots Expert Hair Loss Treatment Spray for Women, £19.99; Fekkai Advanced Haircare All-Day Hair Plump, £65 (spacenk.co.uk); Origins Organic Nourishing Hair Oil, £17 (origins.co.uk).

Looking Good And Feeling Younger, is published by Neal's Yard Press, priced £6.50.