Above: Sheetal Rawal, scientist (human genetics) & founder of Apsara Skin Care
By: Marty S.
Whenever you’re thirsty, there’s nothing that will quite satisfy you like water. A glass of water (or two) can soothe your throat from dryness, spiciness, and even an emerging cough. However, it is fair to say that many of us don’t drink enough water when we’re not thirsty, sometimes because we don’t always have access to it or because we don’t like the taste of water. With the weather getting warmer and warmer, you must stay hydrated, not just for the health of your body, but also for the health of your skin. Dehydration could lead to dry, lackluster skin and more pronounced signs of aging.
If you have trouble drinking enough water daily, you might be surprised by our advice for you: change your diet. A glass of water will always be the best option to maintain proper hydration, but adding some hydrating foods to your diet can be your next best option. Today, you will learn 10 top foods that can hydrate you internally and may help you get glowing, youthful skin. So, even if you don’t particularly feel like drinking plain water, you should know that you always have the option of eating many hydrating foods instead.
1. Watermelon
You can’t talk about hydrating foods without talking about watermelon, especially when “water” is in the name! Watermelon is the perfect summer treat that is bursting with flavor and hydration, with a water content of 92%. Watermelon is also a good source of lycopene (a carotenoid thought to have anti-cancer properties) and other antioxidants that work together to minimize free radical damage. Less free radical damage reduces the likelihood of developing dull, aged, and lackluster skin. So, with each slice of watermelon, you can say goodbye to dryness and rapid aging and hello to glowing, youthful skin.
“But [my dry skin] did really clear up since I’ve been using it consistently so I don't see it anymore so that's great. Also, it smells really good so that's a plus. My skin also feels a lot more hydrated…”
2. Cucumber
When it comes to hydration, few foods can compare to cucumber. Cucumbers are one the most - if not the most - hydrating foods you can add to your diet, boasting about 96% water content. Cucumber juice has skin cooling and anti-inflammatory properties. If you apply cucumber juice to your face, it can hydrate your skin and ensure that your skin looks healthy, calm, and glowing.
Cucumber juice is so gentle that you can even use it on your delicate eye area. If your eyes have become puffy due to dehydration, we suggest using our Cucumber Under Eye Serum, which can minimize eye puffiness as well as dark circles and crow’s feet.
3. Celery
Celery’s claim to fame is that it is one of the healthiest foods you can eat that is also low in calories. Celery has antioxidants and other nutrients that will help keep your body and skin healthy. Moreover, eating celery will help hydrate your skin, as it is comprised of about 95% water.
4. Oranges
Compared to the other foods on this list, oranges aren’t the most hydrating, with only about 86% water. However, we’ve included oranges in this list is because we love the Vitamin C content found in oranges. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that neutralizes free radical damage and helps support a healthy immune system. Vitamin C has been also studied to improve collagen production and skin glow. Therefore, eating more oranges can alleviate skin dryness as well as promote a more ageless, radiant complexion.
Vitamin C is even good for external use, too. You may have to dilute orange juice beforehand to avoid potentially irritating your skin, but applying orange juice can directly ensure your skin gets Vitamin C. If you don’t want to use an orange juice-based home remedy on your skin, though, you should check out our Ayurvedic Vitamin C Natural Glow Serum, which can bring out your skin’s inner glow without any possible irritation.
5. Pineapple
When it comes to your skin, pineapples are similar to oranges in several ways. First, pineapples are quite hydrating to your skin, consisting of about 86% water. Second, pineapple is a good source of Vitamin C, which, as we mentioned above, is essential for glowing, youthful skin. Third, applying pineapple juice externally can refine the look of your skin. Pineapples contain a special enzyme called bromelain, and bromelain helps exfoliate your skin from dead cells. Since dead cells can accumulate on your skin and lead to the development of dullness and more pronounced lines and wrinkles, getting rid of them with pineapples will help hydrate your skin and promote a stunning, youthful skin glow.
6. Tomatoes
Whether you call tomatoes a vegetable or a fruit, we can all agree just how juicy this food is. With a water content of about 94%, tomatoes are great for your skin both internally and externally. Tomatoes are a good source of antioxidants such as lycopene and Vitamin C. They are also a good source of Vitamin A. Among other benefits, Vitamin A helps promote cell turnover, which helps your skin shed dead cells at a faster rate. Even if you’re not a fan of tomato juice, there are still plenty of creative ways to add more tomatoes to your daily diet to get glowing, youthful skin.
7. Soup
Though not all liquids are hydrating (for example, alcohol), that is certainly not the case with soup. Soups made with vegetable broth typically contain a lot of water. Since soup is customizable, you can mix as many natural ingredients into them to get as much nutrition as possible, even some of the ingredients on this list. Just make sure that you don’t put too much salt in your vegetable broth; a diet high in sodium can result in water retention, which could lead to pale, discolored skin.
8. Cauliflower
The next foods on this list are ones that you won’t necessarily expect to be hydrating in nature, for example, cauliflower. If you’ve ever eaten raw cauliflower, you’ve noticed that it can be quite dry, and you would need something to wash it down. However, cauliflower is mostly made of water, about 92%. In addition to nutrients like antioxidants, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K, cauliflower has a group of compounds called glucosinolates, which are thought to have anti-cancer properties. While cauliflower might not be delicious by itself, consider cooking it with other natural ingredients; that way, you can promote healthier, more supple skin and have a rich diet at the same time.
9. Bell Peppers
Another crunchy, water-rich vegetable that might surprise you on this list is bell peppers. Bell peppers have a water content of 92%, and they are one of the best sources of Vitamin C. Plus, along with cauliflower, bell peppers are a good source of fiber. Fiber supports your digestion and gut health, and more fiber generally translates into a healthier body and glowing, youthful skin.
If you need to hydrate and nourish your skin at home, look no further than this DIY remedy. It contains avocado and oat flour. Enjoy and don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel!
10. Spinach
Spinach is already in many of our diets, and for those that eat it regularly, you will be pleased to know that it can hydrate your skin. Spinach is made of about 91% water. However, if spinach isn’t in your diet, what are you waiting for? Spinach is called a superfood because it is rich in nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, and potassium. It even contains some amount of protein, which is necessary for firm, elastic skin. You should already be eating spinach for any number of reasons, and getting hydrated, healthy, and glowing skin is a nice bonus.
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Go natural. It is good karma!
Go natural. It is good karma!