Good hydration is essential for healthy skin, full stop. Dehydration leads to loss of firmness, increased pore size, and fine lines/wrinkles on the surface of the skin. Dry skin is also notably more vulnerable to sun damage. And while we all know that dehydrated skin is not healthy glowing skin, being told to chug water gets old. We all know it’s a good idea to drink plenty of water. So today I thought it’d be fun to switch it up! Here’s a list of some hydrating foods that’ll help boost your skin health. I’ve also included one of my favorite salad dressing recipes at the end!
12 Hydrating Foods
Watermelon
Watermelon has to be the quintessential summer fruit. Aside from being iconic, it’s full of vitamin A, vitamin C, and lycopene. These nutrients work to nourish your skin, keeping it strong and ensuring that you do not lose excess water. Whether you grab a slice or blend it up with some ice, it’s a top-notch choice for your skin!
Tomato
The most famous fruit masquerading as a veggie, tomato is chock full of water and nutrients. Much like watermelon, you’ll get vitamin A, vitamin C, and lycopene. Additionally, tomatoes contain vitamin K and vitamin B for even greater overall health benefits. And of course, tomatoes are immensely flexible in the kitchen. Add them to sauces, salads, sandwiches, or anything else! Heck, you can even eat particularly tasty ones like you would an apple.
Avocado
Avocados aren’t just delicious, they’re a great source of vitamin C, vitamin E, and monounsaturated fats. These nutritional goodies help your skin retain moisture and a youthful glow. For me, avocados are a great reminder that luxurious, rich-tasting foods can be healthy as well.
Cucumber
If drinking eight glasses of water in a day seems like a daunting task, you can eat your water by noshing on a cucumber! It’s more than 90% water by weight making it hugely hydrating, along with being a refreshing snack. Aside from being an edible hydrator, they’re super low in calories and have a shockingly high nutrient count. These crunchy treats contain vitamin C, vitamin K, antioxidants, and minerals to boot!
Fish
The only animal product on this list, fish is so much more than a high-quality protein. Most fish contains lots of Omega-3 fatty acids which can boost the oil under your skin and improve clarity. There is additional research that suggests a Mediterranean diet rich in fish can reduce inflammation and strengthen the membranes that hold water in. If you’re looking for a tasty fish option, Salmon is the way to go! It’s delicious and rather high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Not a fan of fish for taste reasons? Give HUM Nutrition’s OMG! Omega The Great a try. It’s a well-balanced fish oil supplement with no fishy flavor or nasty fish burps.
Olive Oil
Olive Oil is a kitchen staple for me, but it will also improve your skin health. This wonder ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties and is packed with antioxidants that can help repair the skin’s moisture barrier. As with all oils and fatty foods, they are essential parts of a healthy diet, but keep it balanced!
Celery
Stuff your salad full of celery and your skin will thank you. This yummy veggie contains silica, which boosts moisture and elasticity, helping to keep skin young and supple. Like cucumbers, celery is low in caloric content while being high in nutrients.
Radishes
If you’re looking for a root vegetable that’s high in water content, you will want to eat your radishes. They contain lots of vitamin C, phosphorous, and zinc to help keep your body hydrated and your skin looking fresh and healthy. Additionally, I find their striking coloration helps make salads and dishes more visually appealing. There’s something to be said for food looking as good as it tastes.
Peppers
Peppers, red and green, are one of my husband’s favorite foods of all time. And for good reason! They’re full of vitamin C, dietary fiber, and vitamin B6. This combination helps to prevent both wrinkles and acne. That means clear skin and graceful, healthy aging!
Spinach
When I hear about spinach, I can’t help but think of Popeye. But I also can’t help but think about its nutritional profile. Spinach contains fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and folates (B vitamins). These nutrients work in tandem to protect and hydrate skin. Now that I think about it, I bet Popeye had excellent skin!
Almonds
Rich in vitamin E, almonds are one of the best foods to eat for hydrated skin. Antioxidants and monounsaturated fats help to keep moisture in and provide your skin with the moisture that it needs. If you’re big into snacking, next time you’re craving potato chips you could try a baggy of almonds instead!
Broccoli
Last but not least, there’s the dinnertime arch-nemesis of countless picky children. It turns out there are more reasons to eat broccoli than just to make your mother happy! Vitamins C and E, along with a super high concentration of sulforaphane, helps skin to repair itself while also detoxifying and protecting it.
So many of my favorite foods are on this list – I’m excited to go whip something up with these skin-friendly foods! Finally, if you need an easy hydration boost, try out HUM Nutrition’s Glow Sweet Glow gummies! They have a fabulous orange creamsicle taste and contain low molecular weight hyaluronic acid. It really doesn’t get easier than taking a gummy!
Jeana’s Vitality Dressing
This is one of my favorite salad dressings of all time. It’s also great on steamed vegetables, cooked grains, beans, beef, and fish. Enjoy and feel free to adapt it to your taste!
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Olive Oil or Canola Oil
- 1/2 Cup Tamari or Soy Sauce
- 2 Teaspoons Ground Coriander
- 2 Teaspoons Powdered Ginger
- 3 Teaspoons Granulated Onion
- 2 Teaspoons Powdered Cumin
- 4 Teaspoons Prepared Dijon Mustard
- 2 Teaspoons Dried Basil
- 2 Teaspoons Dried Dill Weed
Preparation
Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix at low speed for one minute. Give it a quick taste, then make any desired adjustments. You can add a little salt to taste if you’d like, but I find that the soy sauce has more than enough sodium to go around. Finally, transfer to a serving vessel or jar for storage. Easy peasy!
If you use olive oil, this dressing will harden when refrigerated. Should this occur, place the container in hot water for a few minutes before serving. Personally, I like to mix half canola and half olive so that the dressing does not solidify in the refrigerator.
Unsure where to start? Reach out for a free skincare checkup, and our licensed estheticians will optimize your routine for the best results. We’ll be here every step of the way!
Comments (1)
Thanks for sharing the article. It’s really good to know so many food items that help our body to glow. I use True Elements Flax seeds as they are really good and a clean label food brand. You can also give it a try!