Top Vitamins for Dry Skin and Supplements You Should Try
Winter often brings dry skin due to cold air, low humidity, and indoor heating, which strip moisture from the skin. Combatting dryness requires both skincare practices and vitamins and supplements that support skin health and maintain increased skin hydration from within.
In this guide, we’ll explore essential skincare tips and specific vitamins for dry skin that help keep your skin healthy, hydrated, and protected throughout the season.
Skincare Tips to Prevent Dry Skin
1. Moisturize Daily
Keeping your skin hydrated starts with applying moisturizer regularly. Use a lightweight moisturizer in the morning and a heavy cream at night to lock in moisture.
Look for products with anti-inflammatory ingredients to soothe skin and improve its barrier function.
Pro Tip: Brands like Cetaphil and CeraVe offer affordable, non-comedogenic options that help maintain a healthy moisture barrier.
2. Use Sunscreen Daily
Even in winter, UVA and UVB rays penetrate clouds and can cause skin damage. Applying sunscreen helps prevent photoaging and dryness caused by sun exposure.
Pro Tip: Opt for a sunscreen with added antioxidants to support your skin's natural defense, which plays a role in maintaining a strong immune system. Learn about the different types of sunscreen here.
3. Use a Humidifier
Dry indoor air from heating systems can worsen skin conditions. A humidifier helps replenish moisture in the air, keeping your skin hydrated throughout the night.
Bonus: You may notice improved breathing and reduced irritation in your nose and throat as well.
4. Avoid Over-Exfoliating
Too much exfoliation can disrupt your skin’s natural barrier function. During winter, reduce exfoliation to once a week to avoid stripping your skin of essential oils.
5. Switch to Cream Cleansers
Cream cleansers help retain moisture, while foaming cleansers can dry out the skin. Choose a cleanser suited for your skin type to prevent irritation.
6. Apply Natural Oils
Oils like jojoba oil and marula oil form a protective barrier, locking in moisture. These oils are also beneficial for dry skin, offering essential nutrients to support healthy skin.
Pro Tip: Experiment with different oils to find what works best for you. Trader Joe’s Marula Oil is an affordable option.
7. Avoid Hot Water
Hot showers strip the skin of natural oils, causing skin inflammation and dryness. Opt for lukewarm showers to protect your skin’s moisture balance.
8. Use Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C boosts collagen production, protects against oxidative stress, and supports immune system health. Studies show that topical Vitamin C improves skin thickness and elasticity, reducing wrinkles (Crisan et al., 2015).
Supplements to Support Healthy Skin
A comprehensive skincare routine isn’t just about topical care—supplements for dry skin provide essential nutrients to maintain hydration and improved skin barrier function.
1. Vitamin D3 K2
Vitamin D supports skin cell growth and helps maintain a healthy skin barrier. Liposomal Vitamin D3 has been shown to improve retention, reducing symptoms of dry skin and conditions like eczema (Bi et al., 2019).
Pro Tip: Consider taking Liquid Drops or Capsules from WiseMEDs for better absorption and effectiveness.
2. Collagen Peptides + Hyaluronic Acid
Collagen peptides help maintain skin elasticity and hydration. A 12-week study showed significant improvement in increased skin hydration and smoothness with collagen supplementation (Bolke et al., 2019).
Additionally, hyaluronic acid helps boost elasticity, making it beneficial for dry skin (Göllner et al., 2017).
3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Fish oil supplements rich in EPA and DHA offer anti-inflammatory benefits and help maintain moisture levels. Omega-3s may also protect against UV damage and support healthy skin (Pilkington et al., 2011).
Pro Tip: Try Ultra Omega or Mini Omegas fish oils, which offer superior absorption compared to traditional fish oils.
Understanding Winter Skin and Moisture Loss
Winter dryness occurs due to reduced humidity, dry indoor air, and fluid shifts while sleeping. These factors cause skin cells to lose moisture, resulting in dullness and irritation.
Tips to Maintain Healthy Skin During Winter
Use Cold Compresses: Cold compresses help reduce skin inflammation and improve blood flow.
Stay Hydrated: Drink water throughout the day to prevent dehydration and fluid loss.
Monitor Salt Intake: Reducing salt helps maintain healthy moisture levels.
Massage the Skin: Massage promotes lymphatic drainage and stimulates circulation.
Use Anti-Inflammatory Creams: Look for creams with caffeine or niacinamide to soothe dry skin and reduce puffiness.
Conclusion
Preventing dry skin during winter requires a combination of skincare practices and vitamins for dry skin that promote long-term health. Regular moisturizing, using natural oils, and adding collagen peptides or Omega-3 supplements can help maintain moisture.
Small changes, like using a humidifier and avoiding hot showers, make a big difference in keeping your skin healthy and hydrated.
By incorporating these skincare tips and supplements, you’ll be well-prepared to maintain glowing, hydrated skin throughout the winter.
Consider using products including vitamin-rich solutions like Aloe Vera to further support your skin’s health.
References
Bi Y., Xia H., Li L., Lee R.J., Xie J., Liu Z., Qiu Z., & Teng L. (2019). Liposomal Vitamin D3 as an Anti-aging Agent for the Skin. Pharmaceutics, 11(7), 311. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics11070311
Bolke, L., Schlippe, G., Gerß, J., & Voss, W. (2019). A Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity, Roughness, and Density: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blind Study. Nutrients, 11(10), 2494. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11102494
Crisan, D., Roman, I., Crisan, M., Scharffetter-Kochanek, K., & Badea, R. (2015). The Role of Vitamin C in Pushing Back the Boundaries of Skin Aging: An Ultrasonographic Approach. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 8, 463–470. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S84903
EPA. (n.d.). Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation and Sun Exposure. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://www.epa.gov/radtown/ultraviolet-uv-radiation-and-sun-exposure
Göllner, I., Voss, W., von Hehn, U., & Kammerer, S. (2017). Ingestion of an Oral Hyaluronan Solution Improves Skin Hydration, Wrinkle Reduction, Elasticity, and Skin Roughness: Results of a Clinical Study. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 22(4), 816–823. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587217743640
Pilkington, S.M., Watson, R.E., Nicolaou, A., & Rhodes, L.E. (2011). Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Photoprotective Macronutrients. Experimental Dermatology, 20(7). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0625.2011.01294.x
Telang, P.S. (2013). Vitamin C in Dermatology. Indian Dermatology Online Journal, 4(2), 143–146. https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-5178.110593