8 Ingredients To Get Glowing Skin This Winter

By now you're probably aware that switching up your skincare for the winter is a trick that can help your skin make it through the cold, dry months without going too crazy. But changing up not only what you put on your skin but also in your body can really help maintain glowing skin all winter long. As it happens, there are actually a number of ingredients that can be used both topically and internally to promote healthy skin. And if you love natural or DIY skincare, you'll love incorporating these ingredients into your beauty routine.

To find out what ingredients in particular you should try to add to your skincare regimen and your meals, I emailed with an expert. Paula Simpson, holistic beauty expert and co-founder of ZSS Skincare let me in on why it's important to switch things up, and what to use for your best, winter skin. According to Simpson, the fatty acids in skin tissue is what makes it susceptible to damage from free radicals and other environmental stressors. "Orienting key ingredients and spices into one's daily diet and skincare regimen can offer simple solutions for promoting healthy skin metabolism and cellular renewal all season long," she says. Count me in. Here are eight ingredients to add to your beauty and spice cabinets to keep your skin hydrated and glowing during the dry, winter months:

1. Cinnamon

Whether you sprinkle some in your morning coffee or use it in a face mask or scrub, cinnamon can definitely brighten your complexion. According to Simpson, this spice can stimulate circulation, bringing oxygen and other nutrients to the skin. And when applied topically, it can calm and tighten the skin thanks to its antimicrobial properties.

2. Ginger

"Ginger is best known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties," says Simpson. She adds that it even offers a soothing and calming effect on the skin. Whether you like to add it to dressings or tea, or even opt for face washes with the key ingredient, your skin will thank you for it.

3. Paprika

Rich in antioxidants that will keep your skin youthful and radiant, paprika will fight free radicals while also speeding up collagen production, explains Simpson. Whether you sprinkle it on fries or use a serum like this one with key paprika components, it will help promote a glow all winter long.

4. Turmeric

When consumed, turmeric has a key antioxidant called curcumin that helps fight free radicals while promoting collagen synthesis, says Simpson. She further explains that when used topically, turmeric can also help renew the skin by "acting as an antioxidant and stimulating skin elasticity and firmness." To not only keep your skin radiant but also clear, Simpson recommends taking a daily skincare supplement like this one which contains turmeric along with other beneficial antioxidants.

5. Cloves

Not only do cloves have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, but clove oil also helps improve the skin's absorption of other skincare ingredients, says Simpson.

6. Nutmeg

For clearer, more radiant skin, nutmeg is an excellent ingredient to incorporate into your skincare and diet. According to Simpson, nutmeg has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties which aid in treating and eliminating impurities such as acne. She recommends trying nutmeg seed oil in lotions or even adding a few drops to your bath to "refresh rough, dry, winter skin."

7. Thyme

Another ingredient that can help fight breakouts while promoting more radiant skin is thyme. Used topically, thyme oil will help control and prevent acne flareups. And due to its antioxidant and antibacterial properties, "thyme protects the skin from harmful bacteria and detoxifies the digestive system to promote clear skin from within," says Simpson.

8. Black Cumin Seed Oil

According to Simpson, black cumin seed oil has actually been used "for thousands of years both orally and topically to beautify and improve [the] condition of skin." Because it has strong antioxidant, antimicrobial, and detoxifying properties, along with a variety of vitamins and minerals, black cumin seed oil can help skin regenerate and fight blemish-prone skin both when ingested and applied topically.

Because even though the changing weather may try to wreak havoc on your skin, one of the best ways to combat it is with these natural ingredients. After all, who doesn't love a good food fight?

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