Does Hydrated Skin Mean Healthy Skin?
With all the hype on TV and in health magazines, most of us know that drinking the suggested 6-8 cups of water a day is important to our overall well-being. But just how important is water to the feel and look of our skin? Is healthy skin hydrated skin? I’m here to tell you yes! In order for the skin to protect our bodies from UV radiation, microorganisms, and toxic agents, it must be kept adequately hydrated. Hydrated skin will remain flexible and allow our protective barrier to remain intact.
When skin is well-hydrated, it is more plump and resilient. This is due, at least in part, to an ingredient in the skin called hyaluronic acid. The job of hyaluronic acid in the skin is to hold water. When there is adequate water from inside out, the skin looks healthier and more vibrant and is less prone to wrinkles. It is important to drink lots of fluids throughout the day for best results. You’ve probably heard that drinking six to eight glasses of water a day is a good idea but you may need more or less depending on your activity level. Remember, coffee and sodas do not count as water because they contain caffeine which is a diuretic, meaning that they draw water out of your system and your skin.
There are several reasons why you may not be getting enough water to make keep your skin healthy. Anything that makes you sweat a lot, such as exercise or being out in the sun, causes you to loose fluids. Getting sick can dehydrate you too, particularly if you have a fever, diarrhea or are vomiting. In such cases, you might need to drink even more water to replace what was lost. Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption is highly recommended.
Remembering to drink enough water can sometimes be a chore. Our suggestion? Make it a point to drink one or two glasses of water with every meal. Keep a water bottle on your desk at work or in your car, and sip often. If you’d like a little flavor with your water, try adding a lemon wedge or a splash of fruit juice. If you want to do everything you can to moisturize your skin, don’t stop at applying moisturizer and drinking a lot of water. You can make “you are what you eat” your new mantra and choose foods based on how they will help your skin. To get the most out of your daily meals, try including the following items in your diet:
Omega 3′s– Your skin has a natural barrier to help retain moisture, and that barrier contains omega-3 fatty acids. Try adding flax seed, salmon and walnuts to your diet to boost your omega-3 intake and moisturize your skin.
Spinach- In addition to being chock full of vitamins, such as skin-strengthening vitamin A, spinach has plant compounds that according to some research help to keep your skin healthy.
Berries- It turns out that berries aren’t just tasty and fun to eat; they’re also really good for healing your skin. Berries not only contain juice to help you hydrate, but they’ve also got antioxidants and vitamin C that protect your skin.
Overall, drinking plenty of water, eating a variety of healthy foods, and watching your caffeine and alcohol intake will put you on the road to healthy, moist, and supple skin. If you find your skin is struggling with something other than dehydration such as acne, rosacea, acne scarring, age spots, etc. contact us now! We offer a variety of treatments that offer relief from many different conditions.
