From The Straits Times    |

foods to eat for hydrated skin

Image: Showbit.com

We learn at a young age that drinking eight glasses of water a day is important for our health, but remembering to drink all that water can be a struggle some days. Staying hydrated isn’t just good for our insides, it’s crucial for our skin as well. While moisturisers and face creams help hydrate the skin externally, we can’t rely on products alone. 

Dry and dehydrated skin is more common than we realise, even in a humid country like Singapore. The heat as well as air-conditioned work environments can be incredibly dehydrating for our skin. If you’re looking for more ways to increase your water intake, here are 5 foods to eat that will help hydrate your skin from the inside out. 

#1 Flaxseeds
Alternatives: Salmon, walnuts

Omega-3s are important when it comes to boosting our skin barrier function. This barrier, when functioning well, is what keeps moisture in, and irritants and external aggressors out. Weak barriers are often why our skin becomes rough or sensitive. 

A study by a German university showed that flaxseed had a positive impact on the skin with reduced sensitivity and scaling, and increased smoothness and hydration. 

#2 Spinach
Alternatives: Kale, tomatoes

Vegetables that contain a lot of water will help you with your daily water quota. Spinach has a high water content of 91.4 percent. There are other vegetables that contain more water, but spinach has more overall nutrients that are good for you like lutein, potassium, fiber, folate, and vitamin E.

#3 Celery 
Alternative: Grapefruit

Celery is a great source of vitamins A, C, and E, which are all crucial when it comes to skincare. We know that Vitamin E helps block free radicals which is great for anti-aging, while C helps brighten skin and fight UV damage. Vitamin A is also a key skin saviour: retinoids (a popular anti-aging skincare ingredient) are a derivative of vitamin A. 

In addition to helping lower cholesterol, celery contains silica which helps with healthy bones and teeth, as well as hydrating the skin and maintaining elasticity. 

#4 Broccoli 
Alternative: Bell peppers

Another vegetable that is rich in water (90 percent), broccoli is also a good source of fiber, potassium, and antioxidants like vitamins A and C. It also contains sulforaphane, which is a compound that helps boost your body’s protective enzymes and flushes out certain toxins. 

#5 Strawberries
Alternative: Kiwi, papaya

Not only are they known for helping with teeth, strawberries also contain more water (92 percent) than any other berry. They’re also loaded with fiber, potassium and have more vitamin C per serving than an orange.

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