Dry skin is no fun. It’s flaky, dull, and lacks that look-at-me glow we all want. Whether it’s the cold winter that is to blame or maybe it’s the fluctuations in your cycle, the good news is that there are action steps you can take that go beyond just applying moisturizer in order to hydrate your skin and restore its dreamy radiance. Here are seven things you can add to your skin hydrating to-do list.
1. Drink lots of water
When your body is dehydrated, your skin will be too. So the first point of action is to up your H2O intake. Drinking half your body weight in ounces is the recommended daily dose. Treating yourself to a chic water bottle might motivate you to chug throughout the day. And if plain water is too boring for you, consider sparkling water or infusing it with lemon or fruit for added flavor. Try to also decrease the amount of alcohol or caffeine you consume as they can dry out your skin too.
2. Eat hydrating foods
Water isn’t the only way you can hydrate. There are also lots of water-rich foods that can help you more easily hit your recommended daily intake. These include fruits and veggies such as watermelon, lettuce, cucumbers, strawberries, cantaloupe, peaches, and oranges.
3. Add a serum to your routine
Serums are very powerful for hydrating your skin. Rael’s Good Chemistry Kit Advanced Antioxidant Serum is one you can try. It’s made with naturally derived ingredients and without any toxic chemicals. It features H30 hyaluronic acid complex that is able to penetrate deeper layers of the skin and slow down the aging process. It also contains fullerene, an antioxidant that protects against free radical damage. And did we mention fullerene is 172 times stronger than vitamin C? No big deal. The serum comes in a kit along with the Moisture Melt Snowball which literally melts in your hands when mixed with a couple of pumps of the serum to add even more hydration to your skin.
4. Pop on a sheet mask
Sheet masks have become all the rage lately but with good reason: they work. They’re typically soaked in a serum of skin-enhancing ingredients and the sheet mask prevents the serum from evaporating and thus allowing it to more effectively penetrate the skin. Rael’s Hydration Sheet Mask, for example, features hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate which deeply hydrates the skin. Just pop one on for 15-20 minutes while you’re getting ready, taking a bath, or anytime you need an instant glow.
5. Ditch the hot showers
Most people fall into one of two categories. They either hate hot showers or absolutely love them. If you fall into the latter category, we have some bad news. The hot showers might be drying out your skin. Switch to a lukewarm shower instead and try to keep it short. Once you’re out of the shower and your skin is still damp, slather your body in lotion to lock in the moisture.
6. Exfoliate your skin regularly
If you’re not already exfoliating your skin on a regular basis, consider adding it to your skincare routine. This will help get rid of dead skin cells and allow your skin to better soak up any hydrating products you use. This works for your face and your body too. So don’t be afraid to get your scrub on.
7. Use a humidifier in your home
Dry air can cause dry skin too. That’s where a humidifier comes in. It will add moisture to the air inside your home which can help keep your skin hydrated. They’re usually pretty inexpensive and they also provide other added benefits like alleviating allergy symptoms and reducing congestion.