Woman applying lotion

Dry skin! Gosh how to combat it? Well, the general practice to cope up with the dry skin is to use lotions and moisturizers. But, are these enough for us? Don’t you think that we should start thinking about this problem in a little more scientific way? So, let’s start from our diet. Can certain dietary choices combat dry, itchy, scaly skin?

 Skin Components:

Our skin is made of lipids and proteins. These lipids are phospholipids, free fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides. Again, the skin barrier is lipids. So, the question comes why I am emphasizing so much on lipids? Well, lipids act as glue between proteins. If we have fewer lipids in our body, it means less glue, and the result is water will easily escape through a barrier without lipids, allowing the skin to become dehydrated.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are responsible for the intercellular lipid production. These fatty acids also have an anti-inflammatory effect on irritated skin. Omega-3s and Omega-6s are the essential fatty acids. Omega-6s fatty acids help in hydrating the skin and prevent water to evaporate from our body. Evening primrose oil and borage seed oil, are high in omega-6s fatty acids. Fatty fish like salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, and sardines, as well as flaxseed oil, some types of eggs, and grass-fed beef are a good dietary source of omega-3s fatty acids.

Factors Responsible for Healthy Skin:

Other than fatty acids, vitamin C, copper and zinc are also important for a hydrating skin. Vitamin C, zinc, and copper helps in collagen formation and in keeping it denser, which in turn results in plump and hydrated skin. Zinc has also been found to have anti-inflammatory effects, which is vital for maintaining smooth skin.

 image courtesy:  http://pro.corbis.com/