Winter Dryness… 6 Foods To Protect & Moisturize Your Skin
Dry skin in the winter is a struggle. My entire life I’ve dealt with dry and cracked hands, elbows, the list goes on…
While there are often go to answers for dry skin (moisturize after you shower, don’t blast your heat, use a humidifier), nutrition is not a common remedy. If you’re like me and frustrated with the the DRY, the ITCH, the FLAKE (ugh!), try incorporating some of these foods into your diet.
1. Green Tea
Studies have suggested that green tea can reduce oxidative stress, and improve both elastic fiber and collagen in the skin. Both of these phenomenons help the skin naturally moisten and smooth.
2. Oysters
Oysters are very high in Zinc. In fact, three ounces gives you 74.1 mg, which is 673% the average daily value. When I think of zinc, I normally picture a giant white stripe of sunscreen covering my nose. But, when inside the body, in addition to UV protection, zinc helps produce new healthy skin cells quickly to replace the dead ones.
3. Red Pepper
Red Peppers have lots of Vitamin C (just 1/2 a cup is more than your required daily value). Vitamin C is a fabulous addition to your routine if you suffer from dry skin because it works in the body to increase skin hydration.
4. Avocado
Avocado is a nutritious source of Omega-3. Diets that are low in this nutrient are associated with dry, scaly skin. Studies have shown that eating more than the minimum requirement (250mg at lowest) can reduced itching and improved skin hydration.
5. Tuna & Fatty Fish
Vitamin D baby! Vitamin D helps reduce inflammation in the body. With less inflammation, the body is more naturally able to regulate its skin’s moisture and hydration.
6. Dark Chocolate
I don’t even need a reason to dive in here. Yum! Cocoa powder, which is high in antioxidants, can be fantastic for the skin. Eating just 20g a day can aid in production of thicker, more hydrated skin cells. When choosing your chocolate fix, it’s important to note that you should grab dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa.
At the end of the day, our bodies are so connected, so smart, and so aware. As soon as you give the body the nutrients it needs, it goes to WORK. So, try and make a conscious effort to add some of these foods to your daily routine if you’re struggling with dry, scaly skin. The foods above will help keep your skin healthy, strong, and itch free.