The Inside Job: What To Eat For Better Skin This Winter

If you're so cold this winter you're lighting up ciggies just to have a mini fire next to your face, chances are your diet's not so hot either. Light salads and green juices are all well and good when you've got those breezy summertime feels, but when push comes to freezing, fucking Baltic shove, you'd rather fill your belly with a steaming hot mac 'n' cheese and a cup of mulled wine. Who cares about a couple of extra winter pounds when you've basically been reduced to a living coat? ….Your skin; that's who.

When your face and hands are tight and flaky and you've gotta use half a pot of your extortionate moisturizer every evening to stop yourself from turning into a leper, it's probably about time you also considered what you're putting on the inside. Like that time you ate the last slice of your colleague's homemade cake and blamed it on the delivery guy, flawless, healthy skin is an inside job. Get back that gorgeous summer glow with these winter diet essentials.

 

Vitamin A

A staple of the best skin products, Vitamin A maintains and repairs skin cells while fighting free radical damage that may prematurely age the skin. Boost it up with sweet potato, spinach, carrots and eggs. Root vegetable soups and stews are winning winter comfort foods and chock-full of vitamins.

 

Vitamin C

You don't need telling that Vitamin C is good for you – your nan did enough of that, right? This famous vitamin is essential to collagen production, the stuff that keeps your skin elastic and the nasty wrinkles at bay. It may also help repair and maintain DNA, allowing your skin cells to renew more quickly. Get your fix from dark leafy greens, citrus, peppers and broccoli. Oh, and that morning orange juice deffo won't hurt.

 

Vitamin E

For extra protection against skin damage and premature aging, eat Vitamin E-rich foods such as almonds, olive oil, 100 percent whole wheat and kale.

 

Omega 3 fatty acids

You don't have to throw cod liver oil capsules down your gullet to get your Omega 3 hit – although it definitely is a great idea. These skin-plumping fatty acids, which are believed to attract water to skin cells, can also be found in salmon, walnuts, tofu, shrimp and halibut.

 

Zinc

For the same reason zinc products are great for treating skin conditions on the outside, zinc-rich foods such as oysters, walnuts, chickpeas and cashews contain anti-inflammatory properties which will even up your complexion and help prevent acne and eczema.

 

Selenium

Selenium can be found in foods like brazil nuts, oysters, turkey and tuna. It may help preserve your skins elasticity, keeping it smooth and tight.

 

Riboflavin and Vitamin B2

These goodies assist with tissue maintenance and repair, which may improve any blemishes and eczema. Find them in foods such as almonds, trout, sesame seeds and roasted edamame.

 

Flavanol

The antioxidant compound Flavanol, found in dark chocolate, blueberries, black beans and tomatoes, may reduce roughness in the skin. But, actually, every antioxidant is great. Antioxidant-rich foods include peanuts, pistachios, grapes, watermelon, grapefruit, black tea, green tea, lobster, shrimp, salmon, chickpeas and leafy greens like kale and spinach.

 

Fiber

Fiber-rich foods help flush excess toxins and hormones from the body. Avocados, berries, coconut, figs, artichokes, pulses, squash, chia seeds, flax seeds and quinoa are the ultimate – and, of course, a good ol' bowl of All Bran.

 

Water

Yeah, we know, state the obvious, but staying well hydrated is absolutely essential for keeping dry skin at bay and maintaining a plump and smooth complexion. Make sure you're getting enough. Mix it up with green tea and get an anti-inflammatory, UV ray-fighting bonus.

 

Now that you've got your diet sorted, here are ten cruelty-free moisturizers to save your skin.