Winter and Skin Care

Cold, harsh winter not only impacts your immunity system, but also your skin. Sometimes it may feel like no amount of cream or lotion can moisturize your skin, and no matter what you do, your skin always looks lifeless and dull.

What does winter do to your skin?

 Winter brings changes in humidity and temperature that create perfect conditions for causing dry skin.

The outermost layer of the skin is called the epidermis. The thin outer surface of the epidermis acts as skin barrier.

A combination of lipids and dying or dead skin cells makes up the skin barrier. The skin barrier forms a layer of protection that prevents harmful toxins from entering the body. When the skin barrier sustains damage, the skin appears dry or irritated.

Moisture is essential for the skin barrier to perform well. There is less moisture in the skin during winter than in the summer, as well as fewer lipids in the skin barrier. These differences contribute to dryness and irritation.

While you may want to reach out to fancy and expensive beauty products, there is a chance they make it even worse in the longer run. The chemicals in these products are not that great for your skin, which is why it is best to avoid them. So how to restore skin’s glow and radiance? Well, in order to restore your skin’s health, Nutrishilp suggests you must tweak your diet a little. Eating lots of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables along with heart-healthy fats from fish, seeds, and nuts can keep your skin soft and supple.

Foods to keep your skin healthy and glowing during winter

Water

Due to cold, one tends to avoid drinking much water in winter but that can be unhealthy for the system

as water gives our body and skin the much-needed boost of hydration. Consuming less water can lead to dryness, clogged pores, wrinkles and blemishes, leaving you dehydrated that can trigger fatigue and make you look older.

Sipping lukewarm water at regular interval through the day can be a good choice for winter.

Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts, flax seeds, and fish like Salmon and Mackerel help in keeping the skin nourished. These polyunsaturated fats accelerate the production of the skin’s natural oil barrier, which is critical in keeping your skin hydrated. It even makes it plumper, and younger-looking.

Olive Oil

Olive oil contains nutrients like vitamins A and E, and fatty acids. It has emollient properties that help hydrate the skin and maintain its flexibility. Olive oil is rich in antioxidants that eliminate free radicals and prevent discoloration and other damage.

You could add it to your salads, cooking or even take a little and apply it on your skin.

Carrots

Carrots are a rich source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps your body produce collagen, which is a protein that’s vital to maintain your skin’s elasticity. In fact, these crunchy delights are high in vitamin A, another antioxidant that attacks cell damaging free radicals, further preventing wrinkles and fine lines.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene that also helps to prevent wrinkles, fine lines, skin discoloration, changes in the skin texture

It also has anti-aging properties and collagen also.  When you eat cooked tomatoes, your body will better absorb nutrients like lycopene.

Avocados

Avocados contain loads nutrients like vitamins A, C and E. They also contain monounsaturated fats, which help the skin to acquire and retain moisture. They also remove dead skin cells effectively from the skin. Avocado deeply penetrates into the skin to restore the nutrients. It also helps in increasing the blood circulation in the skin, which is essential for the skin. The glutamine amino acid present in avocados cleanses your skin and offers it enough protection against harsh environmental factors.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit is rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C helps fight many skin ailments. Grapefruits are also rich in lycopene, a chemical that helps keep the skin smooth and protects it from UV rays.

Broccoli

Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that is good for the skin. It is rich in Vitamins A and C. Vitamin A helps keep the skin healthy and reduces scars. Vitamin C helps to maintain collagen production. Broccoli also contains B-vitamins that help reduce dry and flaky patches.

 

Beetroot

Drinking a glassful of beetroot juice helps purify blood and eliminate toxins, leaving your skin healthy and glowing. Applying it topically can also work wonders on your skin. It helps slough off dead skin cells, making your skin look softer and supple.

Green leafy vegetables

Leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, mustard greens, et al, are all rich in skin-nourishing vitamin K, and also boast of possessing anti-inflammatory properties. Leafy vegetables have high Sulphur content that can help reduce skin’s redness and flakiness.

Almonds

Almonds are natural emollients that hydrate the skin and prevent dryness. They are also rich in Vitamin E, which helps protect the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Almonds contain many antioxidants that combat the signs of aging on your skin.

This food for skin is just right for the winter season.

Green Tea

Green tea is full of antioxidants, which eliminate free radicals and prevent flaky skin. The antioxidants also help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is one of the best foods to keep your skin looking and feeling wonderful. It contains flavanols that help the skin glow even in the harsh winter. It also offers sun protection to your skin naturally.

Blueberry

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants that help eliminate free radicals from your body. Antioxidants may also help protect your skin from damage caused by harsh weather and UV rays. These properties make have blueberries one of the key winter skin care tips. Blueberries also have some compounds that help slow down skin aging.

Thus, its understood that change in weather demands a change in diet. Enriching your diet with nutrient-rich foods may help deal with skin problems and let you enjoy the magic of winter with good immunity, good skin and overall good health.

“As the seasons change so do our health needs. And during the winter we all need a little extra care just that’s it. Winter is just for few months, enjoy it!”

 

– Nutritionist, Dietitian and Founder of Nutrishilp, Shilpi Goel

Feel free to connect with Team Nutrishilp

@ 7581921000 or [email protected].