Record numbers of women are suffering from hair loss and spots because of their poor diets and stressful lives, researchers say.

A survey of 2,052 women found almost one in five has suffered from thinning hair while more than a third have adult acne.

Actresses Kate Winslet and Keira Knightley and TV presenter Cat Deeley are seen as the celebrities with the best skin, hair and nails.

Victoria Beckham and Kate Moss were rated as the worst.

Three out of four women taking part in the survey, by vitamin supplement makers Vitabiotics, are worried about the effect their appearance has on their self-esteem.

Elizabeth Steel, head of support service Hairline International, said one in three women suffers partial or total hair loss during her lifetime.

"We have some callers who are going through puberty and experiencing hair loss," she said.

"But overall the biggest problem is the pace of modern life.

"Women got liberated and started doing at least two jobs, rather than one."

Psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos added: "Hair loss is a taboo subject amongst women as it is still seen as a male problem.

"As a consequence, women suffering with hair loss will find themselves trying to hide or conceal their condition."