Winter Skin Savers

Frigid, dry air outside and heated, dry air inside, can do a number on your skin during the winter months. But you don't need fancy repair creams that cost an arm and a leg to prevent cracking and crinkles. To keep your skin glowing from head to toe, try these tricks that will keep it feeling smooth and youthful all winter long:

Feed your skin wrinkle-fighters. Eat citrus (oranges, tangelos, and grapefruit) often. The fruitful bonanza of vitamin C discourages wrinkles because C helps pump up collagen (supportive protein fibers that stop skin from sagging). Start eating smart for your face – and the rest of your body, too!

Wash with the right stuff. Skip soaps with colors and fragrances. Dyes can leave a dull residue, and scents can trigger allergies. Instead, choose gentle, pH-balanced cleansers that won't upset skin's protective acid mantle, which keeps moisture in. Tip: If the soap you're using doesn't sting your eyes, it likely won't bother your skin. Check out these get-gorgeous-skin products.

Go for the greens. To keep skin from drying out, up your intake of dark green veggies. Spinach, broccoli, and mustard greens are especially rich in skin-loving vitamin A (Try this Green Pizza recipe from EatingWell), which encourages cell turnover, deters dryness, and keeps skin's surface supple.

Seal in moisture. If you are over 50 or live in a really dry climate like the desert, slather lotion all over your body while you're still damp from the shower. Repeat on your hands after each cold-and-flu-fighting scrub.

By Mehmet C. Oz, MD, and Michael F. Roizen, MD

Source: RealAge.com