Dry skin is incredibly common during the cold winter months. This happens because humidity in the air is low both inside and outside and the skin reflects the level of humidity around it. Dry skin can be quite uncomfortable and difficult to manage but luckily, there are several ways to beat dry skin this winter with a few simple solutions!
SKIN CARE
It’s important to nourish your skin with products that help promote hydration, seal in moisture, and protect against environmental factors.
- Avoid using heavily scented or abrasive products on the skin. These products can strip the skin of its natural oils and make the problem worse.
- Moisturize right after bathing, this helps replenish moisture lost while washing.
- Choose products that have clean and nourishing ingredients. Try this Skin Essence E-Cream to relieve dry itchy skin.
- Use a humidifier – adding humidity to the air will help replenish moisture in the skin.
HYDRATE FROM THE INSIDE
Hydrating on the outside can be beneficial to help with dry skin but hydrating from the inside is equally as important. Including foods that are hydrating and high in healthy fats and antioxidants will help nourish the skin from the inside out.
-
Water: not drinking enough water can lead to dry and flaky skin. Drinking sufficient water helps rehydrate skin cells.
-
Avocados: avocados have a high water content and are a great source of healthy fats. Try adding organic avocados to your diet for all of their skin loving benefits.
-
Leafy greens: leafy greens are high in vitamin C and other antioxidants and help heal dry skin by removing toxins from the body
-
Nuts: nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cashews, and Brazil nuts are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and other vitamins and minerals. They help hydrate the skin and promote its elasticity.
-
Dark berries: dark berries have a high water and antioxidant content and help replenish nutrients in the skin and help keep the skin supple.
-
Fatty fish: fish such as salmon and tuna are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and help reduce inflammation and lock moisture in the skin.
SUPPLEMENTS
To further support healthy moisture levels in the skin, consider these supplements for their skin nourishing benefits:
-
Vitamin D: vitamin D deficiency can contribute to dry and flaky skin.
-
Fish oil: fish oil decreases inflammation and helps improve skin hydration and decrease moisture loss.
-
Vitamin C: vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and helps protect against free radical damage. It is also necessary for the production of collagen.
-
Collagen: collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and is the main structural component of skin. Supplementing with collagen can increase hydration and resiliency of the skin. Try this Organika Marine Collagen to help improve skin hydration.
Beating dry skin this winter can be as simple as incorporating a few simple skin care tips, hydrating from the inside, and supplementing with skin loving supplements. Using good quality skin products, focussing on hydrating, and nourishing whole foods, and supplementing will help turn your dry skin into glowing, nourished skin!
By: Angela Baizana
Angela is a student at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition and an employee at Natural Food Pantry, Barrhaven location. She has a passion for holistic health and enjoys helping customers find natural foods and products to improve their health. Angela approaches health and healing by taking mind, body, and spirit into account and viewing each person as a 'whole'. When Angela is not working or studying, she's enjoying time with her husband and 3 young children!
