The Cracked, dry, and flaky skin can be painful. All of us have experienced dry skin many times during our lifetime. If you have a dry skin looking malnourished and least glowing, whether in winters or summers, then it might be troublesome.
Though there are numerous types of moisturizers, ointments, and lotions that are available for the treatment of dry skin, however, you cannot stop its recurrence, in such conditions, you can stick to the right foods for dry skin to avoid its frequent occurrence.
This article has everything you need to know about keeping dry and cracked skin away, with foods for dry skin. There are possibilities that one among ten people could probably get atopic dermatitis. Almost 20 Americans die every day because of the problem of melanoma. In the year 2019, records say that 7,230 deaths might occur because of melanoma, including 2,490 women and 4,740 men.
[ Also Read: Natural Remedies for Dry Skin ]
Types of Dry Skin
Exposure to hot water for a long time, a specific kind of chemicals, and dry weather conditions can cause dry skin. However, dry skin(1) can also be representative of any underlying medical condition.
Dehydrated skin can be medically referred to as dermatitis, and can be of many types:
1. Contact Dermatitis
This type of dry skin occurs when your skin undergoes a reaction with something it contacts, leading to inflammation.
Typically, an irritant contact dermatitis can occur because of your skin’s contact with a chemical agent, such as bleach.
Also, contact dermatitis can occur due to the exposure of your skin to an allergic substance.
[Also Read: Natural Tips For Contact Dermatitis]
2. Seborrheic Dermatitis
Another common type of condition for dry skin is known as Seborrheic dermatitis, which develops by excessive production of oil by our skin. It results in red and scaly rashes, generally present on the scalp. Seborrheic dermatitis is usually common in infants.
3. Atopic Dermatitis
It is known as eczema, and it is a chronic skin condition, in which there is an appearance of dry, scaly patches on your skin. Eczema is also common in children.
How to Cure Dry Skin with Food?
Here are some of the best food items for dry skin
1. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are delicious, and also, they are super healthy and can act as an excellent remedy for your dry skin. This tuber is a valuable source of vitamin A and beta carotene, both of which are widely recognized as skin-protectors.
Why Does It Work?
Vitamin A repairs the skin damage effectively, while beta carotene helps the protective barrier of the skin to assist in moisturizing and plumping up the cells of the skin.
How to Use?
Sweet potatoes are best in taste when consumed after being roasted. Roasted sweet potatoes with salt and black pepper seasoning can be a good source too.
[Also Read: Sweet Potato Benefits on Health]
2. Avocado
Avocadoes(2) are an excellent food option for the sufferers of dry skin, and that is the reason they are present in the list of ingredients of most of the herbal and natural face masks. They are also a good supply for the hair and nails.
Why Does It Work?
Avocados have the right amount of vitamin E as well as monounsaturated fats like Omega-6 fats, that can help in keeping the skin moist and healthy by preventing the fine lines, wrinkles, and premature aging.
How to Use?
Avocado masks are full of many essential nutrients that can provide nourishment to the skin. It provides certain benefits for them by using omega-3 fatty acids.
3. Cucumber
Cucumbers have high Vitamin C and antioxidants in them, both of which are skin-friendly and have nutrients that can keep the skin healthy and avoid its premature aging. You can add cucumber slices to your daily salads.
Why Does It Work?
Cucumber offers a necessary amount of vitamin C that can help in soothing the skin and providing relief from inflammations. The surface of cucumber also works well for the skin by supplying sufficient nourishment, firming and hydration.
How to Use?
In the beauty industry, coconut masks are the most popular coconut products that help in cleansing the skin all naturally and effectively. Coconut masks have numerous benefits –
- It is full of antioxidants
- It is full of anti-inflammatory properties
- It is the carrier of essential vitamins for the nourishment of the skin
[Also Read: Benefits of Cucumber Water]
4. Tangerines
They are similar to many citrus fruits and have vitamin C and A, along with beta carotene that is very useful in maintaining skin moisture content.
Why Does It Work?
Tangerines have Vitamin C in particular. It helps in enhancing the collagen in the skin, which indeed helps in decreasing the fine lines and wrinkles on your face, along with firming the skin to support the process of damage repairing and skin rebuilding.
Also, vitamin C present in the tangerines helps in decreasing the skin damage caused by pollution and from the UV rays of the sun, which is harmful.
How to Use?
You can use Tangerines as scrubs and essential oils. The scrubs which have tangerine extracts are incredibly beneficial for the property of cleansing the skin properly.
5. Coconut Water
Staying hydrated is essential to fight dry skin. When you are dehydrated, the fine lines become more evident.
Why Does It Work?
The skin has a fantastic capacity to detoxify itself to remove unwanted toxins from the body, and this requires more water. You should make sure to drink enough water to keep your body stay hydrated from the inside, to help the skin act as a barrier for bacteria and flush out the toxins from the body.
How to Use?
The application of coconut water is very beneficial for both external and internal uses. Coconut water generally detoxifies the skin and helps to remove the toxins gradually. Washing and moisturizing the face with coconut water can provide you with a refreshing feel. The skin feels refreshed and becomes a bit softer.
[Also Read: Home Remedies for Dry Eyes]
6. Salmon
Why Does It Work?
Salmon, tuna, and trout are some fatty fishes, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids decrease the inflammation caused by the harmful UV rays of the sun and may reduce the risks of having an inflammatory skin condition like dryness of skin, psoriasis(3), and dermatitis.
7. Nuts and Seeds
These are full of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin E, seeds, and nuts make an excellent snack for your skin. It has flaxseed and walnuts that are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Why Does It Work?
Vitamin E present in seeds and nuts, like pumpkin and sunflower, helps in protecting the skin from inflammation and sun damage, hence imitating as a natural remedy for dry skin.
8. Asparagus
Why Does It Work?
Asparagus is a source of vitamin E that can help in guarding and protecting the skin against damage by the harmful UV rays of the sun. It is proven as a medium to enhance skin texture and can help in avoiding the appearance of wrinkles.
How to Use?
Asparagus can be useful for consumption. Many of the Asparagus recipes require them to be roasted first. Generally, at first, it is heated at a maximum temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a perfect temperature to cook everything thoroughly.
Other Hydrating Foods for Dry Skin
Hydrating the skin is essential to avoid dry skin conditions. Therefore, one must regularly consume a hydrating diet for dry skin to ensure that the skin stays healthy, moist, smooth, or plumpy.
[Also Read: Essential oils for Dry Skin]
Some of the Best Food Items for Dry Skin Include:
1. Collagen
Collagen supplements have proved their uses in brightening the skin, and experts claim that the oral consumption of collagen can help in keeping your skin healthy. Also, different products help in enhancing the collagen levels innately in the body. They also come handy in nourishing and replenishing the skin.
2. Cilantro
Cilantro has excellent skin-healing and hormone-balancing properties, which is recommended by the dermatologists to keep your skin more alive and healthy. Researches show that cilantro helps in decreasing the premature aging effect due to sun damage. Also, it helps in boosting the collagen levels in the body, which further helps to keep the skin healthy.
3. Basil
Basil is famous as a garnishing ingredient in many of the middle eastern dishes. Apart from the medicinal benefits it serves, it is also beneficial for gentle skin care. The antioxidants in the basil leaves help fight acne problems amazingly.
4. Matcha
As per the experts, Matcha is a powerhouse of all anti-inflammatory properties. It has beautiful skin care properties, as well as other physical benefits.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider vinegar is good because of its high healing properties. It helps in treating acne problems too. Consuming the diluted version of Apple Cider Vinegar helps in promoting gut health and also protects it from having any other gut-related problems.
6. Squash
The ingredient which is present in the highest amount in Squash is known as beta carotene. The fruit of Squash often changes from a yellow root to an orange-colored fruit as it grows.
Dry skin can be painful. Dry skin, medically referred to as dermatitis, can be caused by several external and internal factors such as harsh soaps, sun, medications, overall health, and medical history.
Though it is often temporary, and most people find relief from readily available skin moisturizers and over-the-counter lotions, they may not prevent its frequent onset.
For preventing recurring dry skin, you must regularly consume foods for dry skin to help keep fine lines, wrinkles, cracks, eczema, and stomatitis at bay. The meals required for dry skin mentioned above have some excellent skin care properties to heal, nourish, and replenish the skin along with preventing common skin ailments, including the presence of dry and cracked skin.
However, if the dry skin condition fails to respond to all the conventional treatment methods, then it is essential that you should consult a registered medical expert.
FAQs
Q1. What’s Good for Dry Skin?
You must take proper and continual care of your skin to avoid dull, dry, and cracked skin. Some of the precautionary methods for maintaining healthy skin include:
- Using moisturizer after washing your hands and bathing
- Avoid wearing clothes that can irritate your skin
- Use a humidifier during winters
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Limit the use of harsh soaps and detergents
Q2. What to Eat for Dry Skin?
There are various foods for dry skin that help keep skin disorders such as dry skin at bay. Some of the foods you must consider include avocado, banana, aloe vera, coconut oil, fish, cucumber, flaxseeds, chamomile tea, olive oil, nuts, sweet potato, leafy greens,eggs and honey for dry skin.
Q3. Why Are Hydrating Foods Good for Dry Skin?
Hydrating foods are always good for the dry skin because they tend to provide moisture to the dry and scaly skin. Moisture content makes the skin soft and maintains the pH level of the skin.
