Winter got your skin down? Eat your way back to glowing skin!

Winter is rough on the skin and when you cover it up with layers of makeup, there is a good chance you will end up looking tired, dry and dull.

A good diet is the best way to nourish your skin and to keep it soft and fresh throughout winter and all year round.

Here’s how you can get the glow:

• Antioxidants neutralise external forces (damage from the sun, pollution, wind and temperature) and internal factors (emotions and metabolism) and slow down the aging process. They help repair skin cells and strengthen blood vessels.

Eat: Carrots, pomegranates, raisins, tomatoes and have green tea regularly.

• Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids help hydrate skin and keep it supple, toned, fresh and young-looking.

Eat: Corn oil, fish oil, flax seed oil, linseed oil and sunflower oil.

• Vitamin C or ascorbic acid helps produce collagen which strengthens capillaries and increases blood supply to the skin; it also makes your skin soft and fresh.

Eat: Blackcurrants, blueberries, broccoli, guavas, kinoos, kiwis, oranges, papayas, sweet potatoes and strawberries.

• Vitamin E protects skin from sun damage which causes dryness, patchy skin, discolouration and those dreaded wrinkles.

Eat: Almonds, avocados, hazelnuts, peanut butter, pine nuts, tomatoes, wheat germ and vegetable oils.

Most importantly don’t forget to hydrate your body in winter; drink lots of liquids. Coffee, tea and fresh juices are great, but plain old water is the best.

The writer is a PhD scholar, studying Human Nutrition at the University of Reading, UK, and a lecturer of Food and Nutrition at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.