For a lot of people, the cooler weather means dry skin. The incoming colder autumn temperatures and low humidity draw moisture from the skin, leaving your complexion looking less than fresh.  

If this is an annual problem for you, you’ll want to keep reading. We’ve got the lowdown on what you need to eat to keep your skin looking bright and you feeling confident. 

Are You Getting These Nutrients? 

Undeniably, dry skin is caused by a variety of factors. Yet, if your foundations aren’t nailed in, you might become more susceptible to dryness. 

So, what are the foundations? It all comes down to what you eat. Your body can only do so much, and this is based on the tools you give it. So, let’s dive in. What vitamins and nutrients should you pay more attention to?

1. Antioxidants

Vitamin C, grape seed extract, and green tea extract are all powerful antioxidants. Research also indicates that vitamin C helps with collagen production. Collagen provides your skin with structure, as well as increases skin hydration. 

You can further find these antioxidants in many common foods, such as citrus fruits, peppers, carrots, potatoes, broccoli, strawberries, and more.  

At Life Nutrition, our Super Antioxidants product contains grape seed extract and green tea extract, giving your cells, body, and skin the help they need to maintain optimal functioning and health. 

2. Zinc

Studies have further shown that collagen peptides combined with vitamin C and zinc improved skin hydration and reduced roughness. Zinc is further an invaluable mineral for helping the skin heal after injury. 

Foods that are high in zinc include oysters, beans, and nuts. However, if you struggle to obtain zinc through your regular diet, Life Nutrition’s Women’s Everyday One and Men’s Everyday One, can help you fill the gap. 

3. Vitamin A

Vitamin A has many uses within the human body, including supporting skin health. And unfortunately, many individuals lack vitamin A in their diet. Yet, many foods contain high amounts of this vitamin, including salmon, beef liver, dairy, fish, and eggs. 

4. Probiotics

As unpleasant as it may sound, probiotics are live bacteria or yeasts that contribute to improved health. In fact, research shows that supplementation with probiotics helps improve skin hydration and the function of the skin barrier after only eight weeks.  

Some common foods that contain probiotics include yogurt, kombucha, tempeh, miso, and pickles. If none of these sound appealing to you, you can also ensure you consume enough probiotics with supplementation, such as Life Nutrition’s Advanced Probiotics formula. 

5. The Vitamin B's

Researchers have shown how B-complex vitamin supplementation can help the skin produce new and healthy skin cells. Additionally, vitamin B-3, along with vitamin B-5, might help with reducing signs of aging (which can arise from chronic skin dryness).   

Popular foods high in B-complex vitamins include eggs, seafood, meat, and nuts. Alternatively, supplementation is widely available, including Life Nutrition’s Women’s Everyday One and Men’s Everyday One. 

Other Tips & Tricks for Your Skin 

Besides paying attention to the five nutrients above, what else should you know? We’ve got a few tips: 

• Wash your skin and avoid bathing or showering in scorching hot water. Instead, keep water in your baths or showers warm or cool. 

• Moisturize! Aim to moisturize your skin morning and night to prevent unwanted dryness and roughness. 
• Stay hydrated. Make sure you eat plenty of water during your day. 
• Include plenty of antioxidants in your diet. This helps prevent your body’s cells, including your skin, from harm caused by free radicals. Some popular foods that contain high amounts of antioxidants include dark chocolate and blueberries. 
• Work on reducing stress in your life. Stress can build up in the body physically, leading to unwanted symptoms like dry skin. 
• Ensure you get enough sleep. Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night. This time is necessary to help your body restore and recover. 

Undeniably, there are many strategies to help you keep your skin looking fresh all year round. Take the above advice and use it to take care of your skin through each and every season. Remember, your skin is the first barrier of defense against any foreign invaders that could cause you to get sick. Thus, taking care of it should always be a top priority!