Clear, glowing, and flawless skin is a dream for many. Being the largest organ of the body, our skin acts as a protective layer against all the external pollutants around us. Thus, taking care of the skin is one of the most important things.
Well, many of us desire to have healthy, clear, and glowing skin. Skincare is not an option. It is and should be a need and integral part of your daily routine. While we perceive collagen, herbals, organics, etc. to be skin-friendly, there is a new entrant in line which we all might probably miss out on or are unaware of. These are electrolytes.
This article an insight into how electrolytes are a well-to-do option to hydrate your skin and get crystal, glowing skin.
What Are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are one of the key components required by the body for human survival. When dissolved in water, electrolytes carry both positive and negative charges and allow electricity to travel through.
Our body requires the following electrolytes in optimum amount to maintain the right fluid-electrolyte balance-
- Calcium
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Chloride
- Magnesium
- Bicarbonates
- Phosphate
Electrolytes have the major function of keeping the muscle and nerve system intact. Apart from muscles and nerves, these charged ions are carried to all the body parts where these are required, including the skin. Moreover, electrolytes are also responsible for oxygen transport, signal transmission, maintaining heart health, hormone, and nutrient distribution, transport of water, etc. Electrolytes for energy purposes are also deemed as an essential source of consumption.
How Does Electrolyte Hydrate The Skin?
Electrolytes and water balance works in conjugation. Water technically follows the path of electrolyte flow. When you consume electrolytes from your diet or use electrolyte-infused products on your skin, they draw water into the skin.
This makes the skin hydrated, soft, and plump by boosting the hydration levels. A moisturized and hydrated skin is an indication of a good skincare routine. It also means you are taking a good diet and having an optimum amount of water intake. The presence of electrolytes in skincare signifies that your skin has a well-functioning mechanism for retaining and redistributing moisture to all areas of the face.
So if you ask what are electrolytes, the clear answer is that they are not just charged mineral ions. Their role and importance in the human body extend to a whole vital level and that is why consuming a healthy and hydrating diet is advised frequently.
Electrolytes in context with skincare, thus, aid in the replenishment of depleted moisture levels as well as the strengthening of the skin’s barrier. If you do not consume enough electrolytes, your skin appears rough, dull, and lifeless.
Role Of Different Electrolytes In Hydrating The Skin
Here is how you can find the following electrolytes favoring a healthy, hydrating, clear, and glowing skin-
- Potassium is one of the key electrolytes for hydration. It helps to organize the lipid levels and subsequently favors the aquaporins to strengthen the protective layer of skin.
- Calcium retains moisture in the skin. It facilitates the formation of new cells thus helping in the lysis of the dead skin cells and bringing out clear skin.
- Magnesium plays an important role in energizing and strengthening the skin cells and thereby improving the hydration levels to a sheer maximum.
Benefits Of Electrolytes For Skin
The electrolyte needs for the skin varies according to the skin type. But in a general and important sense, electrolytes provide a whole lot of benefits for your skin which are-
- If we talk about skin, hydration comes at the top. Water makes up about 30% of the skin, which contributes to plumpness, elasticity, and a youthful and glowing appearance, and electrolytes largely help in hydrating the skin by retaining moisture. It also helps in providing an even skin tone and making the skin soft.
- If you are suffering from acne, blemishes, etc., worry no more! Electrolytes are your absolute savior here. Acne can be reduced by ensuring appropriate skin moisture. Electrolytes keep the skin hydrated and moist, which aids in the prevention of breakouts. In fact, dry skin can cause excessive oil production, which can contribute to clogged pores and acne.
- If you are into other skincare products, electrolytes can help you increase the effectiveness of these products and thus heal your skin quicker.
How To Include Electrolytes In Your Skincare Routine
For any kind of proper everyday routine, consistency and effort are required and the same goes for our skin. Just having a skincare routine laden with thousands of different creams is not the right way. It is important to know what your skin actually requires and what all you can do for it.
The primary and foremost source of including electrolytes in your daily skincare routine is their optimum consumption from your diet. What you eat ultimately reflects out on your health. So, choosing the right kinds of food becomes necessary when it comes to your skin.
Electrolytes are an essential component of many fruits and vegetables. Additionally, beverages are the best option to replenish your electrolyte stores. Electrolyte drinks are one of the healthiest and easy-to-make options for maintaining the right fluid and electrolyte balance. You can also expect a certain amount of electrolytes to obtain from dairy products.
Other than diet, if you use skincare products, electrolyte-infused products are recommended. However, it is always a wise option to consult a dermatologist before hopping on to any kind of skincare product. Mineral electrolytes must be connected to a skin-identical molecule like lactate, gluconate, or pyroglutamic acid in order to enter and reach the deeper layers of skin (PCA, derived from amino acids).
So, prefer products that have an in-built hydration system. Moisturizers, hydrating masks, cleansers, etc. are viable and feasible choices here which provide optimum hydration to the skin.
Takeaway
Skincare isn’t an overnight process. Including electrolytes in your daily skincare routine- either through diet or skincare products helps elevate the skin cells and keep your skin hydrated. Consider the right food choices and always consult your dermatologist before resorting to any kind of skin product.