As we age skin has a harder time keeping hydrated. The good stuff slows down and the bad stuff speeds up. It’s a battle, but it’s one we can fight especially where hydration is concerned. And there’s something to be said about well-moisturized skin. It looks dewy, softens the appearance of fine lines and it glows.

This is why the right products make a world of difference in how your skin looks and feels, and why I’m crazy about my clients staying hydrated inside and out! If you’re already using all the right skin care for you, then try some internal hydration too.

Water. Of course water. But try incorporating more hydrating foods into your diet too so you moisturize from the inside out. Raw or steamed vegetables, fresh fruits, and coconut water bind water internally to the skin.

When eating for hydration think about foods that seem water laden like berries, watermelon, apples, kale, lettuce, and carrots. The advantage of water from food is that it’s utilized better by the body through digestion. Often times water we drink just flows right back out of us. This is why if you’re drinking water add something edible like cucumber, lemon juice, or cranberry juice (unsugard!) to your water.

Fatty acids, like salmon, olive oil, walnut oil, and avocado, are beneficial to the skin’s moisture content because they help bind the water to your organs.

Remember skin is the last organ on the food chain and is therefore the last to receive the benefits of the things you eat. All your other organs must be well hydrated and functioning for the skin to see benefits of internal hydration. So make changes to your diet for hydration and stick to them. It may take a few months to see the changes on your skin.