Fighting Winter
- ciaralitchfield
- Dec 19, 2014
- 3 min read
Im never going to be a big fan of winter... Yeah snuggling by the fire and wrapping yourself up is cute and all but give me a beach and some sunnys any day. A major complaint of winter, other than it being cold, is the damage it can do to your skin and hair. As a result of the cold and harsh winds many people suffer from dry brittle hair, nails and skin. While moisturisers and masks help a lot you can also help your body repair from the inside...
Water
Water is an obvious one and hardly any of us drink enough (Swapping water for sodas doesnt count!). If you struggle to drink enough carry a bottle around with you, it prompts you to sip throughout the day. In the cold weather try taking your water hot and add a slice of lemon. Water in the form of tea and coffee all goes towards your daily amount so no excuses! Another tip is to eat water dense fruit such as melon, mangoes, oranges, pineapple, berries, and grapefruits. Here you also get the added bonus of essential antioxidants.
Avocado
Don’t be afraid of good fats. They are great for hair and skin especially in this form! Avocado contains monounsaturated fats which play a role in locking moisture into our skin. Unsaturated fats are the good guys and don’t lead to heart disease like the saturated kind. Avocado also contains antioxidants in the form of vitamins C and E, as well as supporting our immune system in the winter these have been linked to collagen formation which keeps our skin looking plump and young.
Fish
Fish is another source of healthy fats, omega-3. These contribute to skin health by protecting the cells from damage. They reduce inflammation in our cells and can help to reduce sun damage we soaked up earlier in the year. The glands in our skin that produce oils are called sebaceous glands, this oil keeps our skin supple and soft and prevents premature ageing. For these glands to function normally Zinc is needed. Fish is a great source of zinc along with grains and lean red meats. Some fish also contain selenium which smoothes and tightens skin by preserving the elastin that naturally exists.
Fruit and Veg
Plant foods contain a natural chemical called Phyto-estrogens which have a structure similar to oestrogen helping to keep hormones balances. Hormonal health is important for our skin. Beta-carotene is found in orange and yellow fruit and veg such as sweet potatoes, carrots, apricots, cantaloupe, red peppers, mangoes, pumpkin, and papaya. Cooking your veg can increase the availability of beta-carotene which protects against environmental damage to the skin and helps to fight dryness.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds contain all of the good guys mentioned above so hold a host of benefits. They not only contain omega 3 but also omega 6, Flax seed being the best example of this. I mentioned selenium when talking about fish, if you’re not a fish lover fear not. Just 4 Brazil nuts is enough to hit your recommended daily intake of selenium in one go! This can help to protect against the cold but also general skin issues such as age spots and UV damage.
Eggs
Protein helps to build and repair all cells and eggs are the gold standard of protein sources. They can help promote hydration while protecting elasticity in the skin.
