No matter what time of year, for some, dry skin is a daily, ongoing battle.  Keeping your body well-hydrated is a must for battling the ravages of skin that quickly can become parched, overly dry making our largest organ prone to fine lines and wrinkles.

Even though there are a plethora of skin moisturizers on the market that can certainly aid in the fight against dry skin, another consideration to take advantage of is food.  Foods found in your kitchen are just as important for keeping skin soft, smooth, glowing, and well-hydrated as the creams in your bathroom.

To achieve complexion perfection, start with a well-balanced diet of healthy fats, sufficient protein, fruits and veggies, and lots of water.  There are some amazing foods that can hydrate your body from the inside out as they work their magic on keeping your skin supple and smooth.

·      Water

The first and most logical substance for fighting dry skin is water.  Many of us are not as well-hydrated as we think.  This could be one reason for dry, flaky skin.  We lose water through sweating, breathing and urination so if you are losing more water than what you are taking in, you can become dehydrated.   

Depending on a person’s activity level, age, sex and environment, everyone has their own unique water needs.  A general rule of thumb for how much water to consume each day is for men 19 and older, about 12-13 cups; for women 19 and older, 9 cups per day.  Besides water, other fluids can be included in this amount such as milk, juice, broth or soups, coffee and tea in addition to “watery” fruits and vegetables.  A good way to tell if you are well-hydrated is your urine should be very pale in color and without a strong odor.

·      Avocado

Avocados have the distinction of being the only fruit that contains fat and can do wonders for your skin.  Loaded with vitamin C and E, antioxidants known for their skin-loving properties and often are added to skincare products.  Avocados are also rich in monounsaturated fat beneficial for helping to lock in moisture in your skin.

·      Salmon

One of the very best foods for your skin is salmon.  Thanks to its abundant supply of omega-3 fatty acids, this fish is incredibly hydrating.  The fat found in salmon helps strengthen skin cells, protecting them from sun damage and skin cancer while reducing inflammation in the body.  Selenium, a mineral found in salmon, is another substance helping to preserve elasticity of the skin keeping it smooth, supple, and tight.

·      Extra virgin olive oil

A staple of the Mediterranean diet, olive oil is brimming with healthy skin-loving monounsaturated fats and vitamin E, both known to keep skin moisturized from the inside out.  This same oil can also help protect your skin from harmful UV rays and skin conditions such as eczema. 

·      Nuts and seeds

These nuggets are extremely nourishing for your skin.  Both nuts and seeds owe their skin-enhancing properties to vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids.  Vitamin E protects the skin from oxidative cell damage while omega-3 fatty acids protect the dermis from external damage from UV rays, pollutants, and free radicals.  Other minerals such as magnesium and manganese also help hydrate skin, promoting elasticity and aid in cell regeneration.  Include daily nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, and sunflower seeds. 

·      Yellow, red and orange fruits and veggies

Next time shopping at the produce section of the grocery store, search out the colors of yellow, red and orange.  Choose sweet potatoes, carrots, oranges, apricots, cantaloupe, tomatoes, strawberries, bell peppers, mangoes, pumpkin, and papayas.  These delectable foods are perfect for your skin due to their phenomenal nutritional power.  Each one contains a healthy punch of collagen producing, cell repairing vital nutrients such as vitamin A and C.  Just what your skin craves and needs to look its best. 

·      Eggs

Eggs are particularly good for skin due to its high protein content.  This extra boost of protein can help with the regeneration of cells within the body. A couple of powerful compounds found in eggs are lutein and zeaxanthin.  These antioxidants more than quadruple protection against UV damage that leads to lines, brown spots, and cancer.  Plus they leave skin markedly softer, firmer, and better hydrated.