Nutrition for dry skin

Dry skin is a widespread problem that can occur in various parts of the body. Older people whose skin has reduced sebum production are particularly often affected, but people of all ages can generally suffer from dry skin. Many people affected are otherwise perfectly healthy, so dry skin in itself is not a disease value.

It is often perceived by those affected as disturbing, especially visually. More rarely, dry skin occurs in the context of other diseases. Furthermore, it can be caused by a not very varied, unhealthy diet, which will be explained in the following article.

What sounds banal at first, can lead to a visible improvement in dry skin after only a few days and weeks: we are talking about sufficient drinking quantities. Adults should drink at least 2 liters of fluid daily. The fluid intake should be in the form of pure water and not in the form of lemonades or additionally sweetened fruit juices and teas.

Nettle tea and rosemary tea are also considered particularly suitable. If the body lacks fluid, it withdraws it from the skin, among other things. By drinking enough, it can be observed after only a short time that the skin looks plumper, healthier and thus younger.

Older people in particular have a less pronounced feeling of thirst and as a result often drink far too little. This is one of the reasons why older people in particular tend to have dry skin. Furthermore, care should be taken to ensure that the diet is as varied as possible.

Especially vitamins and minerals, which are mainly found in fresh foods such as fruit and vegetables, should be consumed in sufficient amounts. A varied diet can be achieved with a few basic principles:

  • It is important that meals take place regularly and that there are no attacks of ravenous hunger with unhealthy food.
  • Furthermore, the same side dish should not always be chosen and fruit and vegetables should be eaten about 5 times a day. According to the traffic light rule you should always choose a red, a yellow and a green fruit or vegetable.
  • Meat should be eaten in moderation, but fish should be on the menu 1 to 2 times a week.

    Just like vegetable oils, fish contains essential fatty acids that the body can use well.

  • Especially the vitamins A and E and vitamin B12 should be sufficiently available in the diet.
  • Biotin, which is found in large quantities in carrots and tomatoes, also plays an important role in the skin’s moisture balance.

Here are some examples of foods that have a particularly positive effect on the moisture balance of dry skin. As mentioned, however, it is above all the variety of nutrition that achieves the desired effect.

  • Sunflower seeds contain vitamin E, which has a strong moisturizing effect.
  • Silica, pantothene, magnesium and zinc are contained in barley and have a moisture-binding effect and also strengthen the connective tissue.
  • Sardines and wild salmon contain valuable omega-3 fatty acids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect and prevent skin irritation.
  • Peas contain, among other things, vitamin A, E and nucleic acids and stimulate the production of skin lipids.
  • Lean meat such as poultry or beef supplies amino acids that are important for collagen formation as well as for the moisture retention of the skin.
  • Paprika increases skin elasticity and has a healing effect on redness and cracks due to ingredients such as vitamin C and carotenoids.

In Germany, there is a wide range of food available, so we can prepare balanced meals.

Through such a diet, the body is usually sufficiently supplied with vitamins and nutrients so that the intake of food supplements is not necessary. Basically, especially in stressful times, one should pay attention to a varied diet. If this is not successful at times, one can resort to dietary supplements.

Especially in the long term, however, dietary supplements can never replace a healthy, varied diet. Combination preparations from the pharmacy or drugstore often contain biotin and zinc, as well as other vitamins. The treatment of dry skin depends on the underlying cause.

If there is another underlying disease (often z.B. Thyroid gland dysfunction), it should be treated so that dry skin disappears. If dry skin only occurs temporarily due to colder temperatures or dry heating air, moisturizing creams and lotions can help. However, if the dry skin has been present in every season for a long time and cannot be controlled properly even by creams, there is much to be said for the fact that the body is not being supplied with the right nutrients and the skin’s moisture balance has been disrupted. In this case, one’s own diet should be critically examined and adjusted if necessary.