Body & beauty

11 Ways To Hydrate Your Skin

Give your skin a much needed drink with these handy tips

Hydrate from the inside out

H2O is the simplest and most accessible beauty saviour for dehydrated skin. Drink plenty of water to aid digestion and leave skin with a beautiful glow. “Skin looks plumper when it’s more hydrated,” explains Shona Wilkinson, nutritionist at SuperfoodUK.com, an online shopping destination for health and wellbeing. “Drink plenty of water so that the body can eliminate toxins effectively. When our body struggles to eliminate toxins through our digestive system, they can come out through our skin.” So up your daily dose of H2O and you’ll soon notice a difference in your complexion.

Cleanse daily

ESPA’s Hydrating Cleansing Milk (£24) will become your new best friend when it comes to locking moisture into your skin. Naturally mild, yet creamy, the delicious blend of rich sweet almond and soy bean oils with marshmallow and chamomile help to cleanse skin leaving it soft, supple and – most importantly – balanced. Use daily and follow with a nourishing moisturiser.

Give skin an avocuddle

Avocados are packed with healthy fats, vitamins and antioxidants which all work together to aid skin hydration whether you mash it, slice it or drink it in a smoothie. But have you ever added ‘smother it all over your face’ to that list? “Avocado makes an amazing natural hydrating face mask,” advises leading beauty expert Sarah Jones. “Simply mash some avocado flesh in a bowl, add a teaspoon of avocado oil and apply to your face for five minutes before washing off with lukewarm water. It’s a refreshing and nourishing face mask that is easy to make and very effective.”

Invest in a humidifier

Boost the moisture content in your home with a humidifer to help fight the battle against dry skin. “Putting a humidifier in your bedroom will help to stop your skin from drying out,” explains beauty expert Sarah Jones. “Humidifiers are good for your respiratory system and also help you sleep better,” she adds. If you’re not catching the right amount of Zs each night, you can wake to dark circles and under eye bags – nightmare! So ensure you’re sweet dreaming with a little help from the Dyson Humidifier, £499.99.

Apply some honey

Raw honey which hasn’t been heat-treated or pasteurised is packed with antioxidants and healing compounds which are good for a range of beauty ailments – including a dry complexion. Honey is a natural humectant which means it is great at retaining and preserving moisture. Simply apply honey to dry skin, leave on for five minutes before rinsing off with warm water, and watch your problem patches soften as they become more hydrated.

Use the right day cream

There’s a wealth of lotions and potions available but for maximum effect, it’s important to purchase the right product for your skin’s needs. If you’re looking to hydrate, use an incredibly nutritious cream like Antipode’s Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream, £32. Nourish skin with a layer of this light but intensive moisturiser which contains revolutionary antioxidant Vinanza Grape to energise skin leaving, it looking healthy and supple. Plus, it smells divine!

Turn down the heat

Who doesn’t enjoy a long soak in the tub or letting off some steam in a shower that is so hot it could rival a sauna? As relaxing as they sound, heat can be detrimental to your skin’s hydration as hot water strips oil from the skin. Long baths and showers can also lead to dry skin so keep temperatures warm and your bathing routine short to ensure optimal hydration levels. Couple this with a moisturising shower gel or cleansing bath crème to help lock in as much moisture as possible.

Introduce your skin to plant oils

This serum reduces deep and fine lines, and wrinkles while helping to restore firm skin and elasticity. Ideal for all skin types (sensitive, dry, combination, normal and oily), it contains Rose Otto, a rare essential oil from organic Bulgarian Rose that acts as a powerful antioxidant with a deep moisturising effect. It is also rich in minerals and vitamins that help tighten and tone skin, due to its fast-acting effects on surface capillaries. Nourishing Face Serum Rose Otto (20ml) Alteya Organics, £41.
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Lock moisture into your skin with facial oils. “Start your moisturising routine using a plant-based oil. I know oil might sound scary to put on our skin, especially our face, but the right type will actually absorb quickly, balance the skin’s oil production and hydrate the face to diminish fine lines and wrinkles for a hydrated and healthy glowing complexion,” explains beauty expert Sarah Jones. “Our skin cells have an external barrier that is made of fat, and in the world of chemistry, fat loves fat – meaning, our skin loves oil.” Well, you can’t argue with science! We love the Khadi Ayurvedic Hibiscus Face and Body Oil, £11.90, which is perfect for those with sensitive skin.

Load up on omega 3

Found in oily fish, flaxseed oil, chia seeds and walnuts, omega 3 is an essential nutrient for keeping skin looking its best. “Omega-3 fats are essential for healthy skin, helping to keep cells water tight and well hydrated,” explains Helen Bond, Seven Sea’s consultant dietician. “These healthy fats also have a potential anti-inflammatory role and to that end, may be beneficial for helping to relieve any redness from sun damage. Eating foods rich in this nutrient like oily fish (mackerel, sardines, salmon, fresh tuna and trout) or taking a supplement like Seven Seas cod liver oil – which is a natural source rich in vitamin D – can help to top up your supplies.”

Keep dryness at arm’s length

We all need a little pick me up throughout the day, and our skin is no exception. A quick burst of moisture is all it needs which is why we love the hydration spray range, £23, from Jane Iredale. It’s a handbag essential! Packed with antioxidants and hydrating properties, all sprays can be used throughout the day, over makeup, to help restore moisture loss and keep your skin looking dewy and feeling fresh.

Remember, you are what you eat

Eating a healthy balanced diet does wonders for your skin and looking after your liver is key to hydration. “Bitter foods like chicory, endive, rocket and grapefruit all stimulate liver and gall bladder function, and a healthy liver means healthy skin,” explains nutritionist Rick Hay. “A sluggish liver will eliminate toxins through the skin which leads to dryness and redness.” Combat this by chowing down on coloured fruits and vegetables which will help to nourish the skin and support collagen cross linking. “Citrus fruits and berries are rich in vitamin C which can assist with tighter, fresher looking skin,” Rick adds. “The more coloured food in your day the better!”

Article by

Lauren Godfrey

Content Writer

Article by

Lauren Godfrey

Content Writer