As the temperatures drop and the air turns dry, our skin often bears the brunt of winter losing its natural moisture, feeling tight, and appearing dull. While we rush to replenish hydration with creams
and serums, beauty experts and nutritionists agree that true nourishment begins much deeper from within. And surprisingly, the solution may lie in your kitchen.
For generations, Indian households have trusted ghee and butter not just as culinary staples, but as natural elixirs for skin and overall wellness. Once shunned in the age of “low-fat” diets, these traditional dairy fats are now making a scientific comeback as skin-loving superfoods.
“During winters, our skin loses moisture much faster, but real hydration starts from within,” says Ravin Saluja, Director, Sterling Agro Industries Ltd. (Nova Dairy). “Traditional dairy fats like ghee and butter, which many people tend to skip today, are actually rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A, D, and E. These nutrients strengthen the skin barrier and keep it nourished from the inside out. Even a spoonful of ghee in your meals can help your skin stay softer and less dull.”
Beyond their nutrient profile, these fats play a crucial biological role in supporting the skin’s hydration system. According to Dr Debojyoti Dhar, co-founder & Director, Leucine Rich Bio (BugSpeaks), the connection between nutrition, gut health, and glowing skin is far more intricate than most realize. “People often treat skin dryness as a surface problem, but hydration is a biological process linked closely to gut health,” he explains. “Research shows that fats such as ghee help maintain microbial balance, reduce systemic inflammation, and support better nutrient absorption. This internal harmony reflects externally through improved skin and texture, particularly in winter.”
The science behind these observations is compelling. Vitamins like A and E are powerful antioxidants that repair skin damage, while omega-3 fatty acids improve elasticity and reduce inflammation. Ghee also contains butyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid known to support gut integrity and, in turn, healthy skin.
As Dr Dhar notes, “Traditional diets, rich in natural fats, intuitively supported these mechanisms long before microbiome science could explain them. It’s tradition meeting evidence and the results are visible, quite literally.”
So, this winter, while you reach for your moisturizer, remember to nourish your skin from within. A small spoonful of ghee on your rotis or a pat of butter on your toast might just be your most effective beauty ritual yet.
