Winter – it’s cold, it’s rainy, and it wreaks havoc on our skin.
The change of seasons is tumultuous at the best of times, but when it comes to our skin, there are no holds barred. The air cools down rapidly from one day to the next, and before you know it, you're bracing against a cold, dry, wintry day that does all kinds of things to the condition of your skin.
From drying it out to causing it to go red, be flaky, or even become itchy, winter isn't the best time for your skin. The good news, though, is that you can make certain lifestyle choices to take care of your skin – particularly from the inside out.
Here at Velettá, we believe in a holistic approach to your skincare, which means thinking about what you put into your body, as well as on the outside. Let’s take a look at four winter recipes for great skin.
- Kale and Cherry Smoothie Bowl
We've all been told at some point in our lives to eat our greens, and there's a good reason for this. Leafy greens are great for our skin, and including a sturdy winter staple like kale is a great way to fill your skin-fighting arsenal.
Kale is chock full of vitamin C, which means that it takes care of your immune system when it’s at its most vulnerable. Additionally, it can help your skin produce more collagen, vitamin K, and antioxidants, all of which will go to good use preventing your skin from being eaten up by the cold weather.
If you don’t love the idea of kale, try hiding it in a smoothie bowl with cherries.
- Roasted Carrots
Who doesn't love a Sunday roast in the middle of winter to ward off the cold-weather blues? If you've had enough potatoes for the week, and you're hoping to keep your skin clear, why not mix things up a bit and introduce a new vegetable to a traditional recipe.
Carrots, just like kale, come with a lot of vitamin C and are great at building up collagen in your skin. They also come with a lot of vitamin A, which helps prevent free radicals that are responsible for aging in your skin.
Take your roasted Sunday lunch to the Mediterranean with these delicious spiced roast carrots.
- Winter Cucumber Salad
We know that cucumber isn’t usually what you throw in a winter salad, but if you want to preserve your skin so that it’s glowing in the summer, you might want to consider adding this long, green vegetable to your salad repertoire.
Cucumbers are an excellent source of moisture, being primarily made up of the stuff themselves. Additionally, cucumber contains potassium and magnesium, as well as Vitamins E and A. If your skin is dry and needs a little bit of TLC, don’t forget to throw a few slices of cucumber in your winter apple cucumber salad.
- Grapefruit Green Smoothie
There’s nothing like keeping the fruit bowl stocked throughout the winter with all of your favorite citrus fruits. When your immune system is a bit weaker than normal, it’s time to start thinking about creative ways to eat as many citrus fruits as you can.
The great thing about grapefruits is that they have the best of both worlds – sweet and sour balanced delicately between a multitude of recipes. In fact, grapefruit is one of the healthiest citrus fruits you can eat, making it a great staple in your winter skin diet.
The great news is, grapefruits are low in calories, yet high in nutrition. They contain vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and thiamine, making them a powerhouse at the gate of your immune system, which is essential if you want to keep your skin in check over the colder months. Try incorporating grapefruit into your morning green smoothie for maximum effect – and enjoyment.
