December is finally here, which means it’s finally time for winter fun and holiday cheer! But it also means that the cold weather has arrived, and it will be here to stay for the next few months. As the scenery changes to snow-covered landscapes and you get your cozy sweaters and winter boots out of storage, there is still one key issue that needs to be addressed—your winter skincare routine.
Over the next few months, we’ll all be spending more time indoors where the air tends to be less humid, and the times we do step outside will result in our skin being exposed to cold, breezy weather. Whether you realize it or not, both being indoors or outdoors during the winter months can take a toll on your skin.
Common Winter Skin Problems
The cold, dry air that we are often exposed to during the winter months can cause accelerated moisture loss, which quickly leads to dry, cracked skin. This is why we are much more likely to struggle with things like rough knuckles, chapped lips, and flakey skin during this colder time of year. On top of that, these harsher conditions can also make it difficult for our bodies to maintain an adequate supply of natural protective oils that help create a barrier that protects your skin against harmful compounds it is exposed to from the environment. And, while it may be nice to sit next to a warm fire or take a hot shower to warm ourselves up, these types of actions can make matters worse by drying out your skin or stripping it of those natural oils.
Not all is lost, though. There are a variety of different measures you can take to protect your skin this winter. For example, you can use a humidifier to help replenish the moisture in the indoor airspace to make it a little more humid. You can also use serums and moisturizers that are designed to help hydrate and protect your skin during the winter months, and you can switch to using mild soaps and cooler water during your showers. While all these actions can certainly make a difference, these external measures alone may not be enough. You also should consider what steps you are taking to protect your skin from the inside.
Nourishing Your Skin From The Inside
The look and feel of your skin are largely determined by the nutrients it receives because, just like every other organ in the body, your skin needs a variety of nutrients to function properly. These nutrients work together to help keep your skin cells healthy and strengthen your skin barrier, which is the top layer of skin that protects all the other layers from the outside world. Without adequate amounts of the right nutrients, your skin cells won’t be able to perform optimally and your skin barrier can begin to break down, which can lead to dry, flakey skin.
So, how does your skin get the nutrients it needs? Well, from the food you eat, of course—thanks to something known as the gut-skin axis. In simple terms, this axis connects your gut to your skin, allowing them to interact with each other and giving your gut a way to pass vital nutrients on to your skin cells.
Nutrients For Healthy, Glowing Skin
So with that in mind, you’re probably wondering: what nutrients does my skin need to stay healthy and glowing through the winter months? Here are a few of the most important ones.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
This essential fatty acid is a crucial nutrient needed to help form and strengthen your skin barrier, which will help keep moisture in and irritants out. Some of the best food sources of omega-3 fatty acids are avocados, flaxseed oil, and fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and trout.
Proteins
As we’re sure you recall from high school science, the human body needs proteins to build and repair muscles and tissue. This also applies to your skin, where proteins provide the amino acids needed to produce collagen, keratin, and elastin, which help to provide both strength and structural support to your skin as well as give it that healthy glow we are all striving for. Meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, and legumes like beans and lentils are all great sources of protein.
Trace Minerals
Zinc, selenium, copper, and other trace minerals all play important roles in protecting your skin from environmental damage as well as helping it stay properly hydrated. Different minerals can be found in different types of food, but in general, things like meats, whole grains, nuts, and seeds contain many of the minerals your skin needs.
Vitamins
As vitamins are essential to nearly every aspect of your health, it makes sense that they would be important when it comes to your skin. While all vitamins are helpful, vitamins A, C, and E are particularly important for helping every layer of your skin stay as strong and healthy as possible. If you’re looking to add more vitamin A to your diet, consider eating more leafy greens like kale or spinach. For vitamin C, you’ll want to turn to citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, and for vitamin E, sunflower seeds, peanuts, hazelnuts, and almonds are some of your best options.
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