Winter weather is dry, and the body easily becomes dehydrated, resulting in dry skin. Even if you drink plenty of water and use moisturizing skincare products, your skin may still feel dry and even cracked. In such cases, it may be helpful to try dietary adjustments to alleviate the issue. So, what should you eat to combat dry skin in winter?
Drinking plenty of water is the first step to moisturizing the skin
The moisture level of the skin is closely related to the body's hydration. When the body lacks water, the skin becomes dry, and sebum production decreases. According to statistics, the skin loses over 600 milliliters of water through evaporation every day. Severe dehydration can cause loss of elasticity and even wrinkles. To replenish moisture promptly, you should consume at least 500 milliliters more water per day in winter compared to other seasons. This will help maintain the normal moisture level in the lungs and respiratory tract.
Eating acidic fruits for skin hydration
Eating kiwi, hawthorn, apple, pear, citrus fruits, and other acidic fruits in winter can help moisturize the skin. Acidic fruits are rich in vitamin C and vitamin E. Vitamin C promotes collagen production, while vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that aids in metabolism, improves blood circulation, and enhances cell vitality. Additionally, acidic fruits contain organic acids, tannic acid, cellulose, and other substances that stimulate digestive juice secretion, accelerate gastrointestinal motility, and are ideal for hydrating in winter.
Nourishing the skin with these nutrients in winter to prevent dryness
Supplementing vitamins to prevent skin aging
Adequate intake of vitamins plays a crucial role in preventing skin aging and keeping the skin smooth and moisturized. Supplementing vitamin A can prevent loss of skin elasticity and roughness. Vitamin B2 prevents dry and cracked lips. Vitamin C maintains delicate and hydrated skin. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, preventing skin aging.
Foods rich in vitamin A: animal liver, fish liver oil, lean meat, eggs, and orange-red fruits and vegetables.
Foods rich in vitamin B2: yeast, fish, legumes, yellow rice, and river crab.
Foods rich in vitamin C: kiwi, hawthorn, strawberry, orange, cucumber, sweet potato, etc.
Foods rich in vitamin E: sesame oil, peanut oil, cabbage, etc.
Supplementing collagen for radiant skin
In winter, it is beneficial to consume foods such as pigskin and tendon to supplement collagen. Adequate collagen helps cells become plump. Collagen also contains hydrophilic moisturizing factors and has strong skin penetrability. It can bind with the stratum corneum and epidermal cells, improving cell metabolism, maintaining the integrity of the stratum corneum's moisture and fiber structure, enhancing the skin's cell environment, promoting skin tissue regeneration, and boosting blood circulation, thus moisturizing the skin.
Eating alkaline foods for better skin nutrition
In winter, it is not advisable to consume excessive amounts of animal fats, meat, and sweets, which are physiologically acidic foods. These foods, after oxidation and decomposition in the body, increase the lactate and uric acid levels in body fluids and blood, leading to rough and greasy skin. In winter, it is recommended to consume alkaline foods to neutralize excess acidic substances in the body, improve skin nutrition, and make the skin smooth and lustrous. Fresh vegetables and fruits are excellent choices.
Improving dry skin with nuts in winter
Walnuts, pine nuts, peanuts, and other nuts are rich in vitamin E, which prevents the excessive oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in the body that can lead to premature age spots on the skin. Vitamin E also effectively inhibits the deposition of melanin in the skin, preventing facial pigmentation. It promotes cell division, regeneration, and delays cell aging, helping the skin regain elasticity. Additionally, nuts contain various amino acids, vitamins, and trace elements such as iron, phosphorus, zinc, and manganese. They play a significant role in promoting nail and hair growth, preventing hair loss and premature graying, and improving dry and rough skin.
