Five Foods for Dry Skin in the Winter

The cold of winter can take a major toll on your skin with the temperature dropping and the humidity disappearing. In turn, we start layering on the clothes and lathering up as many lotions that we possibly can to restore our moisture and get glowing skin in the winter. While I am a sucker for a great face and body lotion, it is also important to focus on what you’re eating day to day to ensure that you are getting the nutrients you need that will add moisture to your skin from the inside out. So today I am going to focus on five foods that are great for dry skin in the winter!

Water

Drinking water and enough of it is essential for glowing skin. During the winter months drinking water can become overlooked because most people want to have a cup of coffee or warm tea to start the day. Start your day with 16oz of filtered water – this will help give you hydration as well as a nice way to wake your organs up. If you don’t have a filtration system it’s ok. Check out some other waters I like in this blog post here.

Avocado

Avocados are a great source of healthy fat that are high in monounsaturated fat which will keep the skin moist as well as reduce inflammation. They also contain over twenty vitamins and minerals. The biotin in the avocados helps with hydrating the skin, hair and nails. Try to eat one-half of an avocado daily – you can toss it in your salad, a smoothie or just eat it plain like I do with a pinch of sea salt on top. Just in case you are not a fan of avocados you can try using it as a mask for topical hydration.

Wild Salmon

Wild salmon is an amazing food for dry skin because it is rich in omega 3 fatty acids which will give the skin moisture as well as reduce inflammation. It is an “essential” fatty acid because our body can not produce it naturally. Therefore, you will have to consume it in order to reap the benefits of it. Omega 3’s protect our cells – so think what it does for your skin.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a nutritional powerhouse that I can not live without! It is linked to better heart health but it’s also great for keeping your skin moisturized from the inside out. Olive oil is a good source of Vitamins E, A, and K which are important to keep your skin glowing. Its high phenol count is a great source of antioxidants that our bodies need.

Vegetables

Your mom was right when she said “Eat your veggies!”. Vegetables play a big part in glowing skin. These are some of my favorite veggies that are high in Vitamin A and C which will help you with dry skin, antioxidant support and boost collagen that you can incorporate into soups, salads or smoothies during the winter:

• Sweet Potato
• Dark Leafy Greens: kale, spinach, swiss chard, collard greens
• Cucumbers
• Asparagus
• Squashes: Butternut squash, delicata squash, kombucha squash

Hydrate your body from within and your skin will thank you with smooth skin! I would love to hear from you – let me know if you are incorporating any of these foods. What are some of your favorite foods that you eat during the cooler months?