Food Fixes For Dry, Winter Skin
Winter is upon us and so is dry skin. If your moisturizer isn't cutting it, it could be time to try addressing the problem from the inside out.
Vitamin A for dryness, anti-aging
Vitamin A is essential for preventing skin from drying out and staving off signs of aging. The best sources of vitamin A include eggs, dark leafy greens — such as spinach or kale — milk, carrots, and pumpkin.
Omega-3s for dry skin
Omega-3 fatty acids also have a wide range of health benefits, including softening dry skin. They help retain moisture, thereby decreasing the look of wrinkles as well. Fish like salmon, tuna, and trout contain particularly high amounts of omega-3s. Vegetarian options include flax, chia, hemp, cauliflower, and tahini.
Zinc to soothe skin and reduce acne
Zinc is another mineral that acts as a great skin soother, in addition to reducing oil production and acne. Shellfish and lean meat are chockfull of zinc. Other good sources are oysters, fortified breakfast cereals, and a combination of chickpeas, lentils, and nuts.
Tomatoes to reduce redness
It is also imperative to remember that the sun affects your skin, even on cold, cloudy days. So UV protection should be part of your year-round daily routine. Try including processed or cooked tomatoes in your diet, since lycopene — which gives tomatoes their color — is responsible for reducing skin redness and cellular damage caused by sun exposure.
Get some sleep!
Other simple fixes for winter-ravaged skin are getting enough quality sleep and using a cool-mist humidifier to counteract harsh indoor heating.
— Marissa Goldfaden Bleier, HellaWella
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