Extreme winter temperatures can wreak havoc on your skin. The exposure to dry indoor heating, harsh outdoor weather, along with long hot showers that so many of us love in the cold winter months can leave our skin feeling dry, itchy, and dull and looking blotchy and older than its years. 

To stave off the drying effects winter weather can have on your skin, and to keep it looking its best all year round, stay you need to stay hydrated from both the inside and out. This means taking special care to eat foods rich in healthy fats and antioxidants along with drinking enough water, and it also means using the right skin care for these challenging months so your skin can thrive through every season of the year. 

Three wintertime foods I love are avocado, oranges, and green tea to help keep your skin healthy, hydrated, and youthful all winter long.

Avocados are one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. They are an excellent source of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, all of which are essential for healthy skin. Avocados contain high levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which help to maintain the skin's barrier function and hydration levels. This means that your skin will be less likely to become dry, flaky, or irritated.

Another important nutrient in avocados is vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants help to protect the skin from damaging free radicals, which, if left unchecked, can cause wrinkles and other signs of aging. Vitamin E in skincare helps to nourish and hydrate the skin, leaving it looking and feeling soft and supple. Additionally, avocados are also rich in potassium, which helps to regulate hydration levels in the skin.

My Ultra Rich Peptide Renewal Cream is rich in Vitamin E, peptides and ceramides to keep your skin firm, hydrated, and glowy all winter long. It’s perfect as the last step of your skincare routine morning and night. 

Oranges are high in fiber, which can help to regulate digestion and keep your skin looking clear and healthy. They are a great source of vitamin C, which is essential for the production of collagen. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and it is 70% of the dry weight of the skin. It is the element that gives our skin its structure and firmness, so it's important to maintain an adequate supply of this nutrient to keep our skin looking firm and youthful. Additionally, oranges are also a rich source of antioxidants, such as flavonoids, that help to protect the skin from oxidative damage and keep it looking healthy and radiant. They also they contain high levels of vitamin A, which is important for maintaining the health and appearance of the skin. Vitamin A helps to regulate the production of sebum, which is the oil that our skin produces to keep it moisturized. This means that if you have dry skin, eating more oranges can help to keep your skin looking and feeling hydrated. Vitamins C and A also have excellent benefits when used topically, but don’t apply the orange directly to your skin, that won’t work and it may cause irritation.

Instead, opt for a vitamin C serum that is specifically formulated for topical application. My Revitalizing Vitamin C Cream is silky and hydrating, which is perfect for applying in the winter. I recommend all my patients apply vitamin C in the morning to fight against UV exposure throughout the day.

Green tea is rich in antioxidants, specifically catechins, which have been shown to have anti-aging effects by neutralizing free radicals and reducing oxidative stress. In addition, green tea is a great source of the antioxidant EGCG, which has been found to have potential anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. During the winter, when colds and flu are more common, green tea's high concentration of antioxidants can also help to boost the immune system and protect against illness. Additionally, green tea's high levels of L-theanine, an amino acid, may also help to reduce stress levels and support a healthy immune response during the winter. Drinking green tea regularly can provide numerous health benefits, including promoting anti-aging and immune support.

Harness the antioxidant power of green tea in your sunscreen along with pure zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and vitamin E, in my Green Tea Mattifying Mineral Powder Brush. Use this if want a flawless, mattifying touch-up of your SPF throughout the day.

Avocados, oranges, and green tea are like the triple threat of superfoods! These powerhouses pack a punch not just in taste, but also in their health benefits. Avocados are like the moisturizer for your insides, hydrating you from the inside out with their healthy fats. Oranges are like your skin's own personal vitamin C boost, helping keep your skin firm and radiant. And green tea is like the superhero of your immune system, fighting off harmful free radicals and keeping you healthy from the inside out.

So, next time you're looking for a way to treat yourself inside and out, just remember: avocados for hydration, oranges for vitamin C, and green tea for immunity!