Every day, many of us try to achieve our ideal appearance. That look that makes us feel confident and glamorous. Many times, we try to reach our beauty standards through cosmetic products and make-up tricks. But, friends, one of the best ways to look glowing and youthful is not through contouring and Botox—it’s hydration!
Now, you all know I’ve got nothing against using cosmetics to help us all feel like the fierce and fabulous females we are. But, so many of us spend boatloads of money and time to look our best when staying hydrated is not only the best way to achieve our beauty goals, but it’s the cheapest and easiest too!
This is why I’ve dedicated my post today to hydration! Let’s go over how to get properly hydrated skin, fight dryness, and keep that summertime glow all year round. Here are my top 15 tips:
15 Ways to Hydrate Your Skin
Add healthy fats to your diet.
Hydration is something you do on the inside and the outside. That’s because moisture is lost inside and out too! Losing moisture through natural evaporation is called transepidermal water loss, and it’s something we’re always fighting!
For my first tip, I’m recommending you eat more fatty foods! No, I am not talking about saturated fats like in ice cream, ladies. (lol, I wish!) I am referring to foods high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids that hydrate your body. Eat more fish, avocado, walnuts, and chia seeds for more hydrated skin and a TON of other health benefits.
Drink and eat your water.
You read that correctly. I want you to drink and eat more water. Staying hydrated through drinking water improves not only your health and makes you feel better, but it combats dry skin too! Grab a big water bottle with a straw and sip on that all day for visibly healthier skin.
And as for eating: There are lots of foods that have large amounts of water in them. If you’re hungry for a snack, double-down and satiate your appetite and hydrate your skin at the same time with watery foods. Some obvious choices are watermelon, cucumbers, peaches, oranges, and, well, lots of other fruits and vegetables! 🙂
Avoid hot water when washing.
When water is too hot, it can damage our skin and leave it cracked and uneven. So, when you wash your face or take a shower, opt for lukewarm water. And, don’t hang out in there forever. Exposure to the water pressure and high temperatures for long periods will cause damage and dehydrate your skin.
Use a humidifier.
Our skin produces less oil at night. Because of this, our skin is way more prone to drying overnight than it is during the day. A great way to help your skin stay moist is to invest in a humidifier!
They’re super cheap and they come in lots of sizes. And their purpose is to add a little humidity to your bedroom. So, while you sleep, your skin will absorb the water from the air and hydrate for morning. This humidifier is my favorite.
Never skip moisturizer.
If you cleanse your face each night or morning, never forget to moisturize your skin afterward. This will make sure any moisture stripped from your skin while cleansing is returned right back to your skin. And, the moisturizer will leave a protective barrier over your skin to lock in the hydration!
I love Olay Retinol 24 products for moisturizing. You can read my full breakdown of their moisturizers here. I also swear by Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream! And, yes, I know it’s pricey. Like, REALLY pricey. But, it’s super worth it and a little stretches a long way.
I get that it’s not in everyone’s budget, and that’s totally fine. This First Aid Ultra Repair Cream works wonders for the cost, and I recommend it all the time. Whatever you choose, make sure you’re using it all. the. time. Seriously, never skip moisturizer!
Use essence and serums.
I didn’t know for YEARS that essence and serums should be part of my skincare routine. But, ladies, it’s a MUST. Essence and serums prepare your skin to receive moisturizer and other products. So, when you use them, your moisturizer actually becomes more effective!
Your skin will be more hydrated with less product. (Which further justifies your Crème de la Mer purchase. lol) For essence, I use SK-II facial treatment. And, for serums, I love Vintner’s Daughter or the tried-and-true Olay Regenerist Retinol line. Add essence and serums into your skincare routine to create the ultimate base for maximum hydration.
Use face masks.
Who doesn’t love a face mask? It’s the fastest way to make your home feel like a spa. 🙂 Well, masks don’t just feel good, but they’re also super good for your skin. Having a sheet or cream lay over your face for a long period allows for your skin to absorb all the water and hydrating ingredients.
I love this Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Mask. It makes your skin look and feel AMAZING and it has all-natural ingredients. For sheet masks, I go for the Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Sheet Mask or Guerlain Super Aqua Hydrating Sheet Masks.
Whatever you decide to grab, make sure the mask is specific for moisturizing! There are a lot of masks out there made to do lots of different things. So, read what the intended purpose is before laying it over your dry skin.
Exfoliate weekly.
Exfoliation is another skincare practice that lots of people leave out of their routines. But, there are so many benefits including better hydration! Over time, our skin develops a barrier of dead skin and dirt that prevents moisturizers and other products from penetrating the skin. This makes our skin look dull and patchy. NO THANKS.
When you exfoliate, you work away that dead skin, encourage cellular turnover, and leave the perfect canvas for moisturizing! But, don’t exfoliate too often. Only once a week. Too much scrubbing with abrasive tools and harsh cleaners will dry and damage your skin. So, exfoliate weekly for the best results.
Consider the season.
Summer and winter are two totally different skincare ball games. In summer, the increased humidity and moisture makes skin more oily. In winter, however, the dry air and low temperatures leaves your skin parched.
So, in winter, you’re much more likely to experience dehydrated skin. This means your skincare routine should change from season-to-season to stay hydrated and healthy!
I have my whole winter skincare routine here for you to check out. I spent years in trial-and-error before I found what works. And, ladies, this routine WORKS! It’ll keep you looking young, radiant, and, of course, hydrated! 🙂
Use aloe vera.
Aloe vera is a magical plant. The gel inside the leaves has incredible healing properties! Just a little a day can help hydrate your skin, reduce acne, and heal sunburns. It’s pretty inexpensive as well, which is awesome considering all that it does. Definitely consider adding it to your routine for hydrated and healthy skin.
Avoid foods and drinks that dehydrate you.
Just like there are foods and drinks that hydrate you. There are ones that DEhydrate you. Sodium is one of the main things that dehydrates your body, so salty snacks are not the way to go for glowing, hydrated skin. Also avoid too much sugar, fried foods, and alcohol. Cutting these will help your skin retain its moisture and stay healthy.
Do an audit of your make-up stash.
Not all cosmetic products are made equal. We know that. (Let’s not think back to the days of roll-on glitter eye shadow and Jessica Simpson lip gloss. lol) So, many products in your stash could be working against you and drying out your skin. Grab your cosmetics, and take a look at the ingredients to identify anything that might be sucking moisture away.
Alcohol, parabens, fragrances, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid all have drying effects. It’s not the end of the world if you have other means of moisturizing. But, if you have persistent dryness issues, consider changing to water based make-up products.
Find the right products for your skin type.
The right skincare products for you are just that: FOR YOU. If you have oily skin, you’ll need products that reduce the excess moisture. If you have dry skin, you’ll need products with a hydrating ingredient to lock in moisture. So, even when you see people like me recommending products, be sure to still do some research and ensure it’s the right fit for your skin!
Try hydrating supplements.
Sometimes our skin is dry because we’re not getting the proper nutrition. The question is not just, “Are we eating hydrating foods?” But, “Are we getting the right vitamins and minerals?” Often, the answer is no! Grab some of these hydrating supplements that will revive your skin and keep you healthy:
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C
- Collagen
- Fish Oil (Get those fatty-aids!)
- Aloe Vera
- Probiotics
Always wear sunscreen.
Ladies, you’ve got to protect your skin from the sun this season. Baking all day in the sun for a good tan with no protection will destroy your skin. You’ll see more wrinkles, patches, and discoloration. Plus, your make-up and other products won’t apply as well on damaged skin. Get your sun-kissed look, but don’t overdo it and ALWAYS wear sunscreen.
Keeping your skin hydrated should be the first priority in your skincare routine to keep you looking and feeling healthy, beautiful, and absolutely unstoppable!
There you have it! There are lots of ways to fight dryness that go beyond using moisturizer. Eat well, use the right products, and find ways to lock in moisture. Then, your skin will have that radiant, dewy glow in no time. And, with a well-hydrated base, your make-up will apply better and your beauty goals will be easy to attain!
What do you ladies do to keep your skin hydrated? Do you have skin challenges that make hydrating difficult? Tell me about it in the comments or on Instagram! And, check out my blog for more beauty tips!