Our body is composed of trillions of cells and we shed approximately 30,000 to 40,000 cells every hour. This natural phenomenon could easily turn into a disaster if we do not care for our skin, especially in winter when we encounter dryness and dead skin.
Overshedding or experiencing flaky skin is not right and needs to get fixed. To help you fight the dryness from inside and outside, two experts — nutritionist Truppti Bagri and dermatologist Nirupama Parwanda — share some valuable information.
Winter surely invites dryness, but if someone has dry skin throughout the year, it means they lack certain nutrients like Omega 3 fatty acid and Vitamin C. These nutrients are extremely important to obtain a lustrous skin. Many people focus on the external application of products to look good. But what they forget is feeling internally well matters the most. “Healthy diet is very crucial. What you apply is superficial but whatever you eat reflects more. If your diet is not proper, you are bound to have acne and dullness,” says Bagri.
To get the shine from within, it is essential to introduce oil-rich nuts like almonds and walnut and mixed seeds such as pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds in your diet. They fulfill the need of essential oil in your body and are more beneficial than creams and moisturisers. To get the desired rosy cheeks, you have to increase the iron intake.
“Instead of focusing only on winter, people should continue the intake of these nuts and seeds throughout the year for better results,” Bagri says.
To tackle the dryness of skin at a deeper level, Bagri suggests to increase water intake as it helps to flush out the toxins from the body. “Also, avoid extremely spicy and oily food. Cut down on sugar as it promotes early ageing. The more sincerely you eat, the more healthy you become,” she adds.
“It is believed that dryness is a problem faced by people with dry skin. However, people with combination or oily skin also face the same problem. If the diet is proper, your regular skin care routine works well,” says she, adding “people with oily skin can also go for the same diet. Increasing water intake will help them remove excess oil through digestive tracts, protecting their skin from getting extra oily.”
Bagri also talks about adding supplements. “I have seen that people are very apprehensive when it comes to supplements. There is nothing wrong if you consume supplements under expert guidance. If someone is not getting proper nutrition from food or if someone is working out, they have to take multivitamin tablets,” she advises.
Bagri also adds that it is as important to take care of yourself from outside as it is from inside. “The common mistakes that people make include using harsh soap, face wash, and too much exfoliation. Harsh soaps wash away the natural oil from your body. Use mild soaps, and if someone faces the problem of dry scalp or dandruff, they should go for anti-dandruff shampoo. Use it twice a week. If that does not help, use anti-dandruff lotion. However, depending on the intensity of the problem, one should consult their doctor,” she says.
Parwanda talks about moisturisers. “Start with applying oil-free moisturiser right after bath and observe the difference. If you do not find any difference, you need to understand the reason and consult your doctor,” says Parwanda.
She points out that 70 per cent of people have combination skin type. “Primarily, one should apply an oil-free moisturiser. If that does not help, they can buy serums. Serums are not too greasy but they hydrate the skin to a greater extent,” she suggests.
For people who do not want to spend much on products, they can use some accessible products at home. Petroleum jelly, fresh aloe vera, glycerine, honey, and coconut oil are suitable alternatives. However, one should avoid Vitamin C based products or direct lemon application, Parwanda points out.
