As the chilly winds blow, winter months can be harsh on our skin. We also spend a good amount of time under the shower enjoying the hot water. Once done with showering and lathering up with a hydrating moisturiser, we tend to sit in front of a heater. These are small things, but these habits can dry out your skin! Of course, using a good moisturiser helps in avoiding dry skin, but when several factors come into play, it needs a partner to combat dryness. You also need to nourish your body from within, and not just rely on your moisturiser to do wonders. Know about some foods for dry skin.

Whether you are young or old, anyone can have dry skin. Your skin feels itchy, rough and flaky when moisture vanishes.

Apart from applying moisturising products on your face and body, you need to eat specific foods as well to get rid of dry skin. So, Health Shots consulted Dr Vijay Singhal, Senior Consultant, Dermatology at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Delhi to find out what exactly are the foods you need to eat if you have dry skin.

1. Eat banana for healthy skin

Banana for skincare and haircare is highly known! Now, it’s time to eat it as well. It is rich in vitamins like A, B, C and D, as well as copper, zinc, iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and fibre. Dr Singhal says banana has anti-wrinkle properties and helps in moisturising the skin. Fiber helps in removing toxins, due to which the skin cells start to look young again, and eating banana daily, keeps the skin glowing and soft.

2. Use coconut oil in your food to treat dry skin

Coconut oil has been used for many years for hair and skin problems. Its fatty acid properties make this oil excellent. It contains good amounts of vitamins E and K, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated fats as well as proteins. So, next time you decide to cook something, use coconut oil.

3. Flaxseed is extremely effective for skin

Just a spoonful of flaxseed helps to treat constipation, reduce weight, keep the heart healthy and treat skin-related problems, said Dr Singhal. It is rich in essential fatty acids (Omega 3 and Omega 6), lignans, phytoestrogens, protein and fiber.

4. Cold water fish for soft skin

Fish such as cod, salmon, tuna and herring are beneficial for your health, as Omega-3 fatty acids are found in them. The expert said that eating these fish removes inflammation, toxins also come out and the skin’s moisture remains intact. So, this keeps your skin nourished, soft and glowing.

5. Cucumber is an excellent remedy for dry skin

It has high water content which why it is considered to be one of the best foods for dry skin. Dr Singhal shared that one cucumber contains 287 grams of water. It also has vitamins A, C and K apart from folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, selenium, phosphorus, omega 3 fatty acids and fiber.

6. Olive oil is beneficial in nourishing skin

You are probably already using it to make your favourite dish. It contains fatty acids that protect the top layer of the skin from wear and tear, and heal wounds too. It also prevents the formation of any kind of stain and keeps the skin hydrated, so olive oil is extremely beneficial in nourishing and softening the skin. The best part is that it is not sticky like coconut oil and it doesn’t smell very strong.

You also need to limit the soap usage to avoid having dry skin. The expert also suggested to avoid exfoliating and try to use oil-based sunscreen to lock in the moisture.