7 Foods That Help Dry Skin, So You Can Moisturize From the Inside Out

Skin can dry out easily – especially in a spell of cold weather. The first thing you probably do when you get that dry, flaky skin is to reach for a moisturizing cream, but did you know that there are all-natural (and much less expensive) ways to put the moisture back in your skin?

There are certain foods that help your skin to heal, repair and rehydrate itself from the inside, and they are generally full of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, or rich in silica. Try adding more of the foods in this list to your diet, and see if you notice a difference in your skin health and hydration.

1. Fish

Look for fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring and trout, as they contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which help to moisturize and strengthen your skin. Flax seed also contains a lot of omega-3, so if you don’t like fish you can sprinkle flax seeds on a yogurt or mix them into your breakfast porridge.

2. Nuts

Nuts contain a good amount of vitamin E, which protects the skin from oxidative cell damage, and can also protect the skin from damage from UV rays.

3. Avocado

Avocados are also rich in vitamin E, as well as other antioxidants. They are also rich in monounsaturated fats, which keep skin moist and supple, and also helps slow down the skin aging process.

4. Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are full of vitamin A, which is often an ingredient of moisturizers and face creams. This is because vitamin A is one of the key nutrients for stopping skin drying out, and also for preventing premature aging. Sweet potatoes also contain lots of beta-carotene, which helps repair tissue damage.

5. Oysters

While oysters aren’t exactly cheap, they contain the highest level of zinc among zinc-rich foods. Zinc helps to repair skin by creating collagen, so is an important part of the diet. If your budget doesn’t stretch to oysters, then beef, beans, seafood and wheat germ are also high in zinc.

6. Olive Oil

Olive oil is packed with nutrients, including vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and monounsaturated fats. This tasty oil is also good for your heart, and protects your skin from dryness, eczema and UV rays.

7. Cucumbers

People have long been putting cucumber slices on their eyes to reduce puffiness, but the silica found in cucumbers can also be absorbed by the body through eating them. Water-rich vegetables such as cucumbers also contain vitamins A and C, which help to soothe skin and protect against damage.