Eat This, Not That, for Amazing Winter Skin

Freezing temperatures, holiday stress and a little too much indulging can suddenly make your skin look dry, dull, and puffy. And while following a winter skincare routine can help, how you nourish your skin from the inside can make a difference in achieving that dewy, healthy holiday glow. Read on for a few suggestions on what to eat for amazing winter skin.

 

Drink Water + Green Tea: Yes

Drinking the right amount of water and tea per day will not only help flush out toxins, it will keep your skin from being dehydrated, increase cell turnover, and reduce inflammation. Since green tea contains polyphenols and is an anti-inflammatory, it works wonders as a toner and to treat acne. In addition to moving toxins through your body, green tea heals scars, and helps lighten dark circles. (Tip: after you drink a nice steaming cup of green tea, place the used green tea bags in the fridge for a quick 15 minute under eye-treatment.)  And as you hydrate your skin from the inside, don’t forget to use an eye cream, moisturizer and body lotion for all around healthy skin.

 

Eat Your Colors: Yes

Think orange, green, blue and red when it comes to fruits and veggies.  

• Red Bell Pepper: Loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C, red bell peppers are good for collagen production and may help protect the skin from sun damage, pollution, and environmental toxins.
• Avocado: This fruit is just so, so good. High in inflammation-fighting fatty acids and vitamins K, C, E, and A, plus some potassium and B vitamins, avocados promote smooth, supple skin and will help prevent the negative effects of aging.
• Kale and Spinach: Full of vitamin C these help repair the skin by building collagen and fighting fine lines and wrinkles.
• Blueberries: Rich in antioxidants, they fight free radicals and contain compounds that slow wrinkles and signs of aging.

 

Processed Foods: No

Yes, it’s true, processed foods may be causing your skin to look dull and dry. When you eat processed foods, you’re neglecting to nourish your body properly, which quickly shows up on your skin. Refined grains and sugars found in processed foods can lead to the degradation of collagen and elastin in your skin and cause sagging, dull skin. If you’re wanting to get your diet back on track in a way that will help your skin too, try a vegan menu full of Omega 3’s and antioxidant-rich foods.

 

Alcohol: No

Drinking too many cocktails is dehydrating and leads to sunken, loose skin, creating pronounced wrinkles and premature aging. Alcohol can also dilate your pores leading to breakouts, cause redness or trigger a rosacea flare up.

Both sugar and alcohol can create major skin problems. Common side effects of overindulging in adult beverages include dryness and redness, while sugar can cause skin to age quickly. If you do go overboard, try using products that focus on anti-aging and hydrating the skin.