As cookies, candy, and cocktails take center stage at holiday gatherings, don’t forget to fit some skin-healthy foods into your schedule. What can you eat to keep your skin nourished, moisturized, and glowing all winter long? Consider the list below as you prepare your next grocery shopping list!

1. Nuts and seeds 

Fortunately, many hosts have these readily available for snacking at holiday parties. But what are the best choices? Our favorites are:

• Walnuts – Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, linoleic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid, these gems contain all the right stuff to fight free radicals, regulate sebum production, and support the skin barrier.
• Almonds – These yummy nuts have hydrating linoleic acid and ample amounts of antioxidant vitamin E, zinc, riboflavin, niacin, and copper — all important for skin health. 
• Cashews – Who doesn’t love cashews? Fortunately, they’re more than just a treat to the taste buds. High in vitamin B6, which helps diminish inflammation, cashews can be beneficial in calming sensitive or acne-prone skin. These nuts are also abundant in copper, magnesium, zinc, and selenium — essential minerals for maintaining healthy skin.

2. Salmon

Salmon is a superhero when it comes to skin benefits. It’s packed with skin-nourishing nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, selenium, and pantothenic acid. 

3. Avocados

Guacamole, anyone? Avocados contain high amounts of monosaturated fats and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds to keep skin hydrated and resistant to environmental damage. They’re also a great source of copper, pantothenic acid, and folate.

4. Sweet Potatoes

Roasted, mashed, or baked…sweet potatoes have plenty to offer skin. They have antioxidant beta-carotene, which helps maintain skin health by scavenging free radicals and boosting the skin’s ability to fight off UV damage and oxidative stress.

5. Olive Oil

Whether drizzled over veggies, blended into pesto, or paired with a nice balsamic vinegar to dress a salad, olive oil is a culinary mainstay. It’s also AMAZING for the skin. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fat (mainly oleic acid) and an excellent source of antioxidants.

6. Green Leafy Vegetables

Rich in phytochemicals, lutein, vitamin E, folate, and beta-carotene, dark leafy greens have compounds essential for skin cell protection, repair, and renewal. So load up on spinach, kale, and Swiss chard this season! 

7. Red Peppers

Chop and toss a few sweet red peppers into a spinach salad with an olive oil-based dressing, and you’ve got three powerhouse ingredients for hydrated, healthy skin in a single bowl. Red peppers feature vitamins A, C, E, and K, which facilitate collagen production, enhance hydration, reduce inflammation, and fight free radicals. 

Dig In 

Everything we’ve mentioned here is easy to find in your local grocery store, so there’s no excuse for not stocking your fridge with skin-enhancing foods. Get your skin winter-ready from the inside out!

Of course, a little help on the exterior is vital, too. Visit our online store to order our gently exfoliating body scrubs and ultra-moisturizing body butters. Like all of our products, they’re vegan, cruelty-free, and contain no harsh chemicals or artificial scents or colors.