12 Foods That Hydrate Your Skin

Good hydration is essential for healthy skin. 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. Check out this delicious list of yummy foods that hydrate skin from the inside out.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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, 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!

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!

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!

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!