1. Take a tea break. Baby its cold outside—why not curl up with a warm cup of tea? While you might not be as thirsty in the winter as you were during the summer heat, staying hydrated in the winter is equally essential.  Drinking 8-10 glasses of water and tea per day can help flush out toxins, prevent the skin from drying, increase cell turnover and keep your skin young and fresh. Herbal teas are a great way to stay hydrated; we love Pukka teas from England. Or you can choose a green tea variety to help reduce inflammation for extra beautification. Just be sure to combine drinking plenty of water and/or tea with applying plenty of topical moisturizer—moisturizers help hold water in the skin’s top layer, so they work hand in hand. This translates into great glowing skin despite the harsh winter weather!

2. Eat one orange food and one green food (and no we don’t mean M&Ms!). Halloween is over, but that doesn’t mean orange is out just yet—orange veggies, such as carrots, squash, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes are full of carotenoids. Carotenoids increase our defense against the sun and damage from UV rays (remember it is important to always use sunscreen for protection, even in the winter!).  They also help prevent acne breakouts and flare-ups that can make your skin blemished and blotchy. Green foods, such as kale and spinach, are full of vitamin C, which can act as your food equivalent of the fountain of youth—vitamin C helps to repair skin by building collagen and helping to ward off those pesky wrinkles. Eat at least one orange and one green food every day and your skin will thank you!

3. Snack on (healthy) fat. We love fat. We aren’t talking about the kind you find in butter, pie and french fries, but rather the healthy fats found in salmon, avocados and chia seeds. These foods contain omega 3 fatty acids, which aid in heart health and weight loss…but did you know they can also give you healthy skin? They help reduce inflammation and prevent collagen breakdown (translation: less wrinkles).  New to chia? Simply mix 2 tablespoons into your yogurt for an added 5 grams of omega 3s. One food that is as good in your belly as it is on your face is an avocado. Avocados contain monounsaturated fat that is rich in vitamins A and E. Vitamin E enhances your skin’s collagen production (translation: smoother skin) while sealing in vital moisture. Try this avocado Go Green Scrub from the O2 Diet and let this double-duty powerhouse work its magic!

4. Eat at least one colorful fruit every day. Fruits such as blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants not only fight damaging free radicals in your body, they also can fight those winter skin blues too! Antioxidants help protect your skin against damage caused by the sun and harsh weather conditions in the winter. Blueberries have the added benefit of containing compounds that slow wrinkles and the effects of aging. Think of antioxidants as your youth elixir, keeping you beautiful, ageless and energized no matter what the weather has in store. An apple a day could keep those wrinkles at bay!

Got any winter skin secrets of your own that you want to share with us?

1. Take a tea break. Baby its cold outside—why not curl up with a warm cup of tea? While you might not be as thirsty in the winter as you were during the summer heat, staying hydrated in the winter is equally essential.  Drinking 8-10 glasses of water and tea per day can help flush out toxins, prevent the skin from drying, increase cell turnover and keep your skin young and fresh. Herbal teas are a great way to stay hydrated; we love Pukka teas from England. Or you can choose a green tea variety to help reduce inflammation for extra beautification. Just be sure to combine drinking plenty of water and/or tea with applying plenty of topical moisturizer—moisturizers help hold water in the skin’s top layer, so they work hand in hand. This translates into great glowing skin despite the harsh winter weather!

2. Eat one orange food and one green food (and no we don’t mean M&Ms!). Halloween is over, but that doesn’t mean orange is out just yet—orange veggies, such as carrots, squash, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes are full of carotenoids. Carotenoids increase our defense against the sun and damage from UV rays (remember it is important to always use sunscreen for protection, even in the winter!).  They also help prevent acne breakouts and flare-ups that can make your skin blemished and blotchy. Green foods, such as kale and spinach, are full of vitamin C, which can act as your food equivalent of the fountain of youth—vitamin C helps to repair skin by building collagen and helping to ward off those pesky wrinkles. Eat at least one orange and one green food every day and your skin will thank you!

3. Snack on (healthy) fat. We love fat. We aren’t talking about the kind you find in butter, pie and french fries, but rather the healthy fats found in salmon, avocados and chia seeds. These foods contain omega 3 fatty acids, which aid in heart health and weight loss…but did you know they can also give you healthy skin? They help reduce inflammation and prevent collagen breakdown (translation: less wrinkles).  New to chia? Simply mix 2 tablespoons into your yogurt for an added 5 grams of omega 3s. One food that is as good in your belly as it is on your face is an avocado. Avocados contain monounsaturated fat that is rich in vitamins A and E. Vitamin E enhances your skin’s collagen production (translation: smoother skin) while sealing in vital moisture. Try this avocado Go Green Scrub from the O2 Diet and let this double-duty powerhouse work its magic!

4. Eat at least one colorful fruit every day. Fruits such as blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants not only fight damaging free radicals in your body, they also can fight those winter skin blues too! Antioxidants help protect your skin against damage caused by the sun and harsh weather conditions in the winter. Blueberries have the added benefit of containing compounds that slow wrinkles and the effects of aging. Think of antioxidants as your youth elixir, keeping you beautiful, ageless and energized no matter what the weather has in store. An apple a day could keep those wrinkles at bay!

Got any winter skin secrets of your own that you want to share with us?

While we all love to be bronzed and beautiful in the summer, all that time in the hot summer sun can leave you and your skin looking exhausted. Months of extra sunscreen application, while extremely important for blocking harmful UV rays, can wreak havoc on your skin. So give yourself a little extra TLC this month with an energizing dose of coffee. Yes, coffee! Coffee is not only a perfect morning pick-me-up beverage, but it can also be a great morning pick-me-up for your skin. A recent study from the University of Tennessee found that topically applied caffeine reduces inflammation of the skin. Coffee grounds act as a natural exfoliant, removing dead cells and revealing fresh and healthy skin. Research also suggests that caffeinated substances such as coffee can help repair cellulite damage. Caffeine reduces the puffiness associated with cellulite by moving fluid quickly throughout the body and also tightens up blood vessels, so skin looks smoother and sleeker. Start your morning off right – with some coffee in the shower!

NLT: Don’t throw away leftover coffee grounds – use them to make your own coffee body scrub. After you’ve had your morning cup, mix 3 tablespoons of the used coffee grounds, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a bowl.  Apply while taking a hot shower. Lather, rinse, dry and voila – a caffeinated way to healthy, smooth, beautiful skin! Looking for more do-it-yourself ways to maintain that healthy glow? Check out more skin care recipes on our website. We love this Carotenoid Protective Mask, as it helps protect against sun damage for firmer, healthier skin. http://www.nutritiouslife.com/carotenoid-protective-mask/

We believe to live a Nutritious Life, you need to have your food and eat it, too! You can eat foods for beauty AND you can apply them topically. We know we should always eat antioxidants to minimize and prevent wrinkles, but we can also reduce the deterioration of the skin’s vital components like collagen and elastin by applying these skin-deep.

NLT : Try this soothing Green and White Mask. Puree ¼ cup white bean and 5 cucumber slices in a food processor until smooth. This mask soothes redness and appeases any inflammation all over your face. It can even double as snack. Just don’t try to lick it off your face.

As you begin to embrace the crisp fall air, combat dry skin before it starts! Skin looses 25% more water at night than during the day, due to metabolic activity taking place underneath the surface while we’re asleep. Add the change in weather and windy days to the equation and your skin regimen will likely need a little adjustment. Don’t stress at the sight of dull or peeling skin, simply stay hydrated and find a moisturizer that feels right for your skin type and apply before bed.

NLT: Go ahead and give that gorgeous face a little extra attention. Feel rejuvenated and detoxified with a homemade face mask featuring the star ingredient, yup you guessed it, pumpkin! Try mixing pumpkin (canned or pureed), milk, and honey for a moisturizing face mask, or add a pinch of brown sugar for an exfoliating scrub.