The winter months are notorious for wreaking havoc on our precious skin. Fortunately, many delicious fruits and vegetables are also available during the winter months. However, beyond proper hydration and moisturizers, there are quite a few foods you can incorporate into your daily diet to combat dry skin. These cold-weather foods pack a huge nutritious punch.
Best Food for Dry Skin
When the cold, dry air sucks the precious moisture from your skin, you may feel raw and uncomfortable. Believe it or not, your diet can dehydrate your skin. Try these foods to help nourish your skin cells and promote the radiant smoothness you enjoy. After all, skin is best nourished and cared for from the inside out.
Vitamin A-Rich Foods – The layers of your skin, particularly the upper and lower levels, thrive on Vitamin-A. This essential vitamin may help stop the breakdown of collagen and elastin, which occurs naturally as we age. Collagen and elastin are responsible for keeping our skin firm and youthful. Vitamin A is also great for supporting the skin’s oil production. Skin naturally produces oil to lock in moisture. Maintaining proper oil production is paramount to combat dry skin. This is why beef liver, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and lush green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale are great foods for dry skin.
Vitamin C-Rich Foods – Your body needs Vitamin C to create collagen for your skin. Remember, collagen keeps your skin supple and firm. Vitamin C provides critical support to your skin’s overall framework. It supports your skin’s barrier, which helps keep moisture in and the bad stuff out. There are many Vitamin C-rich foods to choose from. Sweet red pepper is packed with both water and Vitamin C. This tasty food can increase your skin’s hydration and effectively combat dryness.
Oranges, kiwis, and other citrus fruits are also a great source of hydration and Vitamin C. Get your hands on whichever citrus fruits you can find over the winter. Tomatoes also make the list. These red morsels contain water, Vitamin C, and lycopene, a vital antioxidant that helps protect the skin. Nothing beats a good stew.
Omega-three Fatty Acids – Omega-three fatty acids are the cornerstone of nutrition, and skin health is no exception. Omega three’s can reduce inflammation, and most omega-three-rich foods contain Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that protects your skin. You can find omega-three fatty acids in cold water fish like salmon, cod, mackerel, and herring. Sardines are also a good choice as well. If you can’t stomach fish, try flax oil.
Healthy Fats – Our skin requires healthy fats to function. You can find healthy fats in foods such as avocado, salmon, nuts, and seeds. Coconut oil is another excellent source of healthy fat to ease dry skin. Keep this in mind as your diet develops. If you were to adopt a low-fat or no-fat diet, your skin would suffer greatly.
Vitamin D-Rich Foods – The best diet for dry skin contains a healthy amount of Vitamin D. You can find vitamin D in egg yolks, cod liver, tuna, salmon, yogurt, and milk (including soy or almond milk), to name a few. Vitamin D can reduce inflammation, helping your skin be less irritated during times of skin stress. Another good source of Vitamin D is cod liver oil.
Vitamin E- Rich Foods – Vitamin E should really be called “the skin vitamin.” It is an antioxidant that can stop or reverse damage to the skin. It is transported throughout the skin in sebum, the skin’s natural oil base. Sebum is critical for combating dry skin, making Vitamin E a must for your anti-dry-skin diet. To incorporate more Vitamin E into your nutrition, try a handful of sunflower seeds, almonds, and pine nuts, or cook or make dressings with olive oil.
Zinc-Rich Foods – Zinc protects the skin from harmful sun damage and helps it retain moisture. Cold, dry weather robs your skin of moisture, so your skin can take all the help it can get. Try to boost your zinc intake by enjoying oysters, baked beans, or broccoli.
Water – Water is an essential component of skin health. Green tea has antioxidants that are great for preventing dry skin.
If you find ways to incorporate most, if not all, of these foods for dry skin, you could be well on your way to the perfect nutritional toolkit.
Foods to Avoid
During the winter months, you will want to avoid any food that causes inflammation. If you experience inflammation, your body may become dehydrated. A diet high in fat, sugary foods, and baked goods may interfere with the skin’s functions, leading to inflammation and dry skin. This can be hard to remember as the winter months typically usher in the celebratory holiday season. Make a commitment to yourself and your skin based on the boundaries you are willing to set up. Also, alcohol and tobacco use can speed up aging and reduce skin thickness.
Getting a Baseline
Before you start a new diet, you may want to discover how your skin is doing under the surface. Knowing how damaged your skin may be can help you with skincare decisions. Knowing what vitamin you may be deficient in can guide you to the right foods for your diet.
The Smart Mirror-Skin Scanner is one way to determine your skin’s condition under the surface. The skin scanner detects skin issues such as pore size, moisture content, textural issues, wrinkles, UV damage, and more.
Beyond Nutrition
When it comes to dry skin, there are various things you can do to alleviate the dryness. In addition to adjusting your diet, you can invest in a winter/cold weather moisturizer. After bathing, in the morning, and before bed, you would apply the moisturizer all over your body. Throughout the year, wear sunscreen to minimize damage later in life.
Another option would be to undergo a skin treatment. Skin treatments consist of cleansing, deep exfoliation, massage, and customized masks and serums to best treat your predetermined conditions. Choose between a 1-hour or 30-minute treatment explicitly designed for you and your skin. Skin treatments are a powerful way to address the immediate symptoms of dry skin. These options are great for anyone who wants to test the haircare and skincare waters to determine what products would be perfect for adding to their own beauty routine.
Maybe you are hoping for something more advanced. Forever Young anti-aging treatment is a light therapy treatment that targets sun damage and aging. Forever Young BBL removes age spots, freckles, redness, small vessels, and more.
Next Steps
Whether you are interested in trying the Smart Mirror-Skin Scanner to discover any existing damage in your skin’s deeper layers, or if you want to try a skin treatment for your dry skin, the first thing to do is book a consultation with First Impressions Rejuvenation Clinic. The team at First Impressions can guide you to the treatments that will help you achieve your skincare goals.
First Impressions Rejuvenation Clinic offers a comprehensive menu of skin treatments and services. Whatever you may need to look and feel your best, First Impressions has it. Make the call. What do you have to lose?
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