Even the things that make winter wonderful, such as sitting by a roaring fire or relaxing in a hot bath might seem like a good way to warm up, but the heat dries out your skin by stripping it of its natural oils.

However, there are some simple ways to combat dry winter skin and boosting the moisture in your skin! To keep skin looking and feeling softer, smoother, hydrated AND protected all season check out our 12 essential vitamins to boost your skin this season…

Vitamin C

This winter you will need a little zest to return your glow: vitamin C skincare will brighten your complexion and give your skin the strength to battle through the cold seasons ahead.

The dry air of winter can strip the skin of beneficial oils and this dryness can contribute to sagging skin, and a higher incidence of lines and wrinkles. That's why vitamin C is such an essential skincare ingredient. This super vitamin protects your skin from UV damage, stimulates your collagen production and lifts away dark spots revealing bright and glowing skin.

The simplest way to work it into your routine is by way of a skincare serum. Just apply a few drops before your moisturiser in the morning and this will leave skin protected all day long. For taut, firm and perfectly plump our go to vitamin C serum is our Tigi Skin Vitamin C Serum which you can buy in clinic.

Zinc

Zinc is the perfect vitamin to curb breakouts. Zinc is a dietary mineral that has antioxidant properties that reduces the inflammatory response to dead cells, dirt, oil, and bacteria. When excess cells accumulate within the skin glands (often due to hormonal changes or excessive oil production), the build up can lead to blocked or clogged pores. This results in breakouts.

Inflammation is the skin’s natural response to blocked pores, and heightened inflammation results in swelling and acne. We get our daily dose of Zinc from a supplement.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Did you know omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants fight off wrinkles? This is because (believe it or not) a diet high in omega 3 nourishes the skin!

As we age, the cells become thinner and less sticky. This decreases the barrier function of the epidermis allowing moisture to be released from the skin, causing dryness and wrinkles.

Omega-3s moisturise the skin and fight red, dry, or itchy skin caused by skin disorders like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. That’s because omega-3s appear to improve skin barrier function, sealing in moisture and keeping out irritants. A diet rich in omega-3s may help prevent or reduce the severity of acne.

Omega-3s have been shown to reduce inflammation, and new evidence suggests that acne may be primarily caused by inflammation.

Omega-3s are healthy fats found in fish, seafood, and plant foods like walnuts, flax seeds, hemp seeds, and chia seeds.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that supports skin, eye, and reproductive health, aswell as your immune function. Vitamin A is converted to retinol by the liver. There, it’s either stored or transported by the lymphatic system to cells throughout the body. Skin is a retinoid-responsive organ, able to readily absorb vitamin A when applied topically. Retinol stimulates production of new skin cells. Without it, skin can become overly dry.

Retinoids can be found in animal products, such as:

• Salmon

• Beef liver

• Dairy products, such as milk, butter, and cheddar cheese

• Eggs

• Fish

• Cod liver oil

• Shrimp

Vitamin A helps to speed up healing, prevent breakouts and support the skins immune system and it promotes natural moisturising - which means it helps to hydrate the skin effectively, giving it a radiant glow. It assists in promoting and maintaining a healthy dermis and epidermis; the top two layers of your skin.

Our go to Vitamin A source for beautiful skin is the Alumier Retinol Resurfacing Serum that can be bought in clinic. Benefits of this super skin serum are:

• Smoothing fine lines and wrinkles and minimising new lines and wrinkles

• Exfoliating skin cells and promoting cell renewal

• Preventing pores from clogging

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a vital component to your health — specifically your skin health. Winter weather can cause your skin to get flaky, dry and itchy, but lotions fortified with vitamin E can help your skin hold water, keeping it soft and resilient.

This vitamin has also been shown to decrease inflammation, redness and wrinkles as well. Here at Elegant Beauty Clinic we use our Tigi Skin Vitamin C Serum as it contains vitamin E too as it helps activate the antioxidant properties.

Vitamin K

Next up is vitamin K which great to treat dark spots, spider veins and circles under your eyes.

Vitamin K is part of a group of vitamins that has been primarily used to help heal wounds. Vitamin K can be found in your favourite salad, primarily in kale and spinach aka in the green healthy bits. It’s also featured in vitamin oils and cereal grains.

Products rich in vitamin K aid in your skin's healing process if it’s been compromised as it supports the skin's natural barrier function, so any cuts or bruises will thank you.

Vitamin K reduces inflammation, redness and swelling and can even benefit skin conditions such as eczema. So, it is ideal for any dry skin patches, as it will keep skin protected and hydrated.

Biotin

Biotin is also known as vitamin B7 that contributes to healthy nerve, metabolic, digestive and cardiovascular functions. Biotin produces fatty acids that also nourish the skin to maintain a clear complexion. When the protective outer layer of skin is unbalanced, dry and dehydrated skin can manifest.

Biotin assists in the production of new cells and helps oil glands function properly, resulting in the healthy condition of skin. Our go to source of Biotin is a supplement that we sell in clinic that boosts are skin, nails and hair all year round.

Biotin can also be found in a number of foods, including:

• Egg yolk

• Organ meats (liver, kidney)

• Nuts, like almonds, peanuts, pecans, and walnuts

• Soybeans and other legumes

• Wholegrains and cereals

• Cauliflower

• Bananas

• Mushrooms

Iodine

Dry, flaky skin may occur with an iodine deficiency, as this mineral helps your skin cells regenerate. Iodines also hydrates your skin cells and helps your body sweat.

Apart from regulating your skins moisture levels, iodine also aids healing of scars and cuts so is great in helping skin repair. It does this by increasing the regeneration of the lower layers of the skin by triggering cellular function. This results in a complete rejuvenation of your skin, hair and nails! Iodine is also great at helping regulate the hormones that cause acne breakouts.

Iodine can be found in the below foods:

• Cranberries

• Dairy/ yogurt/ eggs

• Seaweed

• Baked potatoes

• Iodized salt

Riboflavin

Riboflavin is also know an vitamin B2 which helps with mucus secretion in the skin, therefore preventing the dryness that leads to oil production (which causes acne) and improves zinc absorption, another important mineral for skin health.

Vitamin B2 can be found in the below foods:

• Fish, meat, and poultry, such as turkey, chicken, beef, kidneys, and liver

• Eggs

• Dairy products

• Asparagus

• Artichokes

• Avocados

• Cayenne

• Currants

• Fortified cereals

• Mushrooms

• Nuts

• Parsley

• Pumpkins

• Sweet potatoes

• Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach, dandelion greens, and watercress

• Whole-grain breads, enriched breads, and wheat bran

Vitamin B2 is water soluble, so cooking foods can cause it to be lost so we would recommend steaming or microwaving as twice as much B2 is lost through boiling. Niacin

Niacin belongs to the family of the B vitamins, being one of the principal forms of Vitamin B3. Positive effects of this vitamin include skin hydration and moisture, increased production of fibroblasts (which helps reduce the signs of wrinkles and fine lines) and more even skin tone, helping attain a glowing complexion.

Niacin is essential for our diet and is contained in many foods. The best way to get boost your niacin take in is by munching on liver, tuna, chicken, peanuts and sweet potatoes.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D supports healthy skin as it has anti-inflammatory properties which can help with acne and redness of the skin. Taking vitamin D supplements could also be another way of treating acne that appears red and inflamed. Our sources of Vitamin D are through the sunshine or an oral supplement.

Selenium

Selenium is a nutrient with antioxidant properties which plays an important part in protecting cells against the effects of free radicals. The body has developed defences such as antioxidants to control levels of free radicals which damage cells and can contribute to a wide range of potential issues ranging in terms of skin health from acne and psoriasis.

Sources of selenium include a variety of mushrooms, Brazil nuts, cod, tuna, halibut and calf's liver.

As you can see there are many vitamins and minerals that can all contribute to glowing and healthy skin. Why not book a FREE skincare consultation with us to find out what your skin needs?

To book click here.