4 Inside-Out Fixes to Prevent Dryness and Hydrate Parched Skin

While your genetics largely determine why your skin is a certain type — from oily to dry or combination — it doesn’t mean there aren’t specific things you can do to counteract it. Those with dry skin will understand the struggle of trying to introduce moisture and hydration back into one’s skin when it feels bone dry.

It’s not as simple as slapping on a moisturiser and going on your way. In fact, taking a multi-pronged approach that targets hydration from both the inside as well as the outside is your best bet to helping address the issue. We’ve rounded up a few easy changes you can make to help prevent dryness in your skin, so it’s left looking and feeling hydrated and dewy.

Eat Water-Rich Foods

Increasing your hydration can be a delicious experience if you focus on eating water-rich foods. Watermelon is a great example, thanks to its 92 per cent water content. In fact, one cup of watermelon contains over half a cup of water as well as a bunch of nutrients and vitamins, making it a tasty treat that also offers a burst of hydration. Other great options include strawberries, rockmelon, oranges and cucumber, which are all largely made up of water.

Add in a Hydrating Serum

To tackle your hydration levels from the outside, we recommend reaching for a product like the Skin Physics Polyglutamic+ Intensive Hydration Serum ($29.95). This product works to plump the skin and tackles dryness, dullness and fine lines as it attracts and retains moisture.

The formula includes encapsulated hyaluronic acid, which strengthens the skin barrier, while the addition of polyglutamic acid prevents your skin from drying out due to environmental factors and helps to maintain moisture levels.

When combined together, these ingredients become even more effective (talk about a team effort!) as the hyaluronic acid attracts the water while the polyglutamic acid works to seal moisture into the skin.

Avoid Scorching Showers

We love hot showers as much as the next person but if you’re struggling with dry skin, try to keep the length of your showers short and make sure the water temperature isn’t too hot. Really hot water can wreak havoc with your skin barrier, which in turn can strip away your natural oils and make it feel even more parched.

Upgrade Your Water

Increasing your water consumption to ensure you’re consuming two to three litres a day is a surefire way to help the hydration levels in your skin but there is a way to help water do its job. To up the ante on your water (and increase your hydration from the inside out), The Beauty Chef’s Hydration Inner Beauty Boost ($45) is a great option.

A bio-fermented elixir that is formulated with coconut water, magnesium, cucumber water and finger lime, you simply add a tablespoon to water, a smoothie or your favourite chilled drink and consume immediately. This liquid helps to increase hydration levels, while also improving skin texture and appearance.