If you’ve been itching for summer to get here we’re right there with you!  Last Saturday’s summer solstice should definitely have made you smile. But if your smile just turned to a frown because of summer-aggravating dry skin, read on…

Summer can be hard on our skin. And one of the ingredients to summer, the sun, is out longer and stronger and can suck the life out of our epidermis! The good news is that we’re all aware of how to protect ourselves from the sun – not only to keep our skin healthy but to also keep its youthful beauty. However, there are a lot of other moisture zapping summertime antagonists – like chlorine and air conditioning. And when wearing skin-revealing clothing, no one wants flaky, dry skin, right? Let’s give our outer layer all the moisture it needs by bringing it in through our inner layer – our tummies! Did you know that what you choose to eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner can help keep that summer dryness in check?

We’ve blogged in the past about skin-friendly fabrics. Were we ever impressed with the research that sited how natural products and fabrics affected our overall health! But, it’s not only about what we put ON our bodies … it’s also about what we put IN!  If your body is craving moisture during the summer then here are some fruits, veggies, and grain ideas that get an A+ for summer (skin) lovin’.

 SWEET POTATO

Nope, this isn’t just a Thanksgiving vegetable, sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients and it’s one veggie you should be eating all year long, especially during the summer. This powerful potato will help on your hair, with your eye bags, and firm your skin. Sweet potatoes are full of antioxidants and Vitamin A, all perfect ingredients for a glowing complexion and glossy coat. In fact, a deficiency of this vitamin can lead to dull, dry skin, Ick! Fight free radical damage and stimulate collagen production for firmer skin with this sweet potato mash.

CITRUS FRUIT

What’s more perfect than an orange or grapefruit on a hot summer day? Your skin will love you for slurping down both halves of a grapefruit (skip the sugar, a good grapefruit doesn’t need this topping) because it’s abundant in Vitamin C which promotes collagen formation. And, choosing a pink grapefruit will give your body a jolt of lycopene, an antioxidant that will help skin stay smooth and resilient. Pack a skin-boosting punch with this fatty fish and grapefruit recipe.

 AVOCADO

This food gets an “E” for EXCELLENT!  An avocado is not only a great source of vitamin E and 20 other vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants but they are also rich in mono-saturated fats helping to keep your skin moist and knocking back inflammation. Stop worrying about the fats in this super nutritious food and enjoy it inside and outside your body.  Try this hydrating avocado face mask.

CUCUMBER

Perhaps the fact that cucumbers contain one of the highest percentages of water content makes them a very hydrating FRUIT! Yes! This food you see in most salads everywhere is actually a fruit. Which means we love it all the more! It’s super nutritious and can be used as a soothing face mask and satisfying salad addition.  

 OYSTERS?

Right? This made our heads spin and our tummy’s do the happy dance (ok, not everyone’s…)!  It’s all about fatty acids and Zinc. Oysters are full of Zinc which will aid your immune system, help repair skin, and build collagen. These slippery mollusks also contain the most sought-after nutrient – Omega-3 fatty acids, which not only are great for cardiovascular health but can help skin build natural oils. Of course, other fatty fish like salmon will also help dry skin issues if oysters (pardon the pun) are hard to swallow.  If you’re not squeamish then open wide and knock them back with these tasty toppings. Take that, dry skin!  

 FLAXSEED

Back to the in-demand Omega-3 fatty acids, this superfood is full of it and helps with dry, flaky, and itchy skin, even helping such skin conditions as psoriasis and rosacea. You can even apply this in oil form topically to help with elasticity or add it easily to your daily menu. Try it in a smoothie with another summer superfood – blueberries!

Remember, you are what you eat so why not make banishing dry skin delicious!  

See you in the next blog.

Deb Fries is a freelance designer and writer and worked at Julianna Rae in Graphics and Customer Service.  This summer she is writing for the blog in her naturally cooling Silk Tresor Camisole top in her favorite color RAIN (NOW on sale for 15% off until June 27th).