By Lisa Cummings, Certified Holistic Health and Nutrition Coach
Is your skin feeling dull and dry?
Are you longing for that radiant glow that’s hard to maintain during the winter months?
Whether your dull skin is the result of a poor diet, dry indoor air, or harsh winds, here are 4 easy ways to repair winter damage to your skin from the inside out-and prevent it from happening in the first place.
Add Omega 3’s
It is no secret that healthy skin starts from within. Your body requires ample nutrients to stay supple such as omega-3’s, which most American’s diet lack. Eat more omega-3 rich foods, including flax, chia seeds, walnuts and select wild fish, which will help, prevent dehydration at the cellular level. These beneficial fats ensure that your skin is full of moisture, to reduce the risk of dry, flaky skin. Also, omega-3 fats have an anti-inflammatory effect that can help soothe irritated skin, giving you a clearer complexion.
Try Green and Tonic’s Raspberry Chia Seed Pudding (link: http://greenandtonic.com/shop/rasberry-chia-pudding/) as a breakfast or snack to boost your omega-3’s.
Use Coconut Oil
If you suffer from dry skin, a simple remedy is pure coconut oil. Yes, the kind you cook with! Coconut oil has many uses. When applied topically, it acts as an amazing all-natural moisturizer with anti-aging properties. You can also eat coconut oil or dried coconut as well, as it can help protect your skin from the aging effects of free radicals, and it tastes delicious!
Try Green and Tonic’s Turmeric Cauliflower Soup (link: https://greenandtonic.com/shop/turmeric-cauliflower/) as a lunch or snack to increase your intake of coconut and coconut oil.
Drink more water
Dehydration is not just a summer problem! It is possible to become dehydrated in the winter-the dry air both inside and out can cause moisture loss in your tissues which is not good for your skin. When your outermost layer of skin lacks water, your skin becomes rough and dry. A hydrated body is conducive to hydrated skin.
Have you tried Green and Tonic’s Aloe Vera Water OR one of the hydrating cold-pressed juices, like the Melon Cooler or Skin Glo (link: http://greenandtonic.com/shop/skin-glo/)? Come by and pick one up to enjoy as a snack or drink one throughout your day to increase hydration.
Brush Your Skin
Dry skin body brushing is such a useful tool all year round, but especially during winter when skin is more dry and flaky. An important part of maintaining moist skin is to remove any dry, dead skin cells. Doing so will allow your skin to breathe and moisture to penetrate. Dry skin body brushing is a great way to do that! It’s similar to using a loofah, except that you do not use water and you use a brush made with natural materials (they sell ones with long handles at most health food stores, to get your back and hard to reach spots). Dry skin body brushing stimulates your lymphatic system, increases circulation, reduces cellulite and improves digestion. What’s not to love about that? You can do it anywhere from 2 minutes or 20 minutes a day before getting into a bath or shower.
One tip: always brush towards your heart, which is best for circulation.
Our skin is our largest organ. Healthy skin is vitally important to our well-being so it deserves our attention in every season!
Lisa Cummings, Certified Health and Nutrition Coach at Green and Tonic, is now offering 30-minute complimentary nutrition consultations at the Green and Tonic in Westport on Fridays (17 Jesup Rd. across from the Westport Library)
To schedule yours call or text Lisa at 917-856-4942
