While we all know it’s important to drink water to keep our bodies hydrated, we have to think about our skin, too! Between running to work, hitting the beach and hanging with our friends, it’s easy to forget how much the heat dries out our skin. Here are 6 ways to hydrate your skin all summer long.

1. Take cold showers

This one shouldn’t be too hard, especially when the temperatures start to rise! When you take long, hot showers, the water tends to dry out your skin. On the flip side, cold water tightens your pores, which prevents them from getting clogged. Additionally, if you get a nasty sunburn (which can deplete your skin of moisture), a cold shower will soothe the burn while repairing skin cells.

2. Exfoliate a few times a week

Exfoliating is a great way to keep your skin hydrated because it removes all the dry, dead skin that accumulates. This helps rejuvenate your skin while allowing moisturizing products to sink in more deeply. Obvious places to exfoliate are your heels and elbows, but using a gentle scrub all over your body 2 or 3 times a week can be really beneficial (just don’t over-exfoliate, which can damage skin). Here’s a natural 2-ingredient body scrub recipe that’s easy to make and smells delicious!

Ingredients:

½ cup coconut oil
¾ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)

How to make it:

Measure out the coconut oil and place in a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave for about 20 seconds, or until it has a liquid consistency.
Add the brown sugar and extract. Mix well.
Apply all over body in the shower and rinse off well.

The coconut oil naturally hydrates your skin, while the sugar removes rough patches, so you’re guaranteed to feel silky smooth afterwards!

3. Moisturize in the morning and at night

The simplest way to hydrate your skin is to apply moisturizer! When it comes to your face, it’s important to keep your skin hydrated both day and night because dry skin is more susceptible to wrinkles and sun damage. In the morning, make sure your moisturizer is oil-free and contains a SPF. A great one to try is Neutrogena’s Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 15 ($12.99). It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin and won’t clog your pores. Plus, it protects your face from the sun for up to twelve hours! At night, use something PM-specific, since your skin goes into repair mode when you’re sleeping, and it’s important to use a treatment that works with that process. Try Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration Night Cream ($17.99)—the formula will leave your face feeling soft and smooth when you wake up and improve your skin’s ability to retain moisture the next day!

4. Snack on fresh berries

It doesn’t matter if you love blueberries, strawberries or raspberries; fresh berries are great for healing dry skin. With antioxidants and vitamin C, berries help protect your skin from damage while repairing cells. The juice from berries also helps hydrate your skin, so it’s like you’re moisturizing from the inside out! Check out this berry smoothie recipe, perfect for sipping by the pool on a hot day!

In a blender, combine:

½ cup vanilla soymilk (or milk of your choice)
½ cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh strawberries
6 ounces of non-fat vanilla yogurt (or yogurt of your choice)

5. Use products with aloe vera

You already know that aloe vera is a great remedy for sunburn, but that’s not the only time you should be using it; it also can help keep your skin hydrated when used daily. Packed with vitamin C and E, aloe vera moisturizes your skin and improves its elasticity. We recommend Vaseline’s Intensive Care Total Moisture Aloe Fresh Body Lotion ($3.99). Its lightweight and non-greasy formula is perfect for every day use. For best results, apply it to clean, slightly moist skin after you take a shower.

6. Apply a face mask once a week

Another way to moisturize your face is by using a face mask! They’re great for hydrating all your skin’s layers in just a few minutes. Just remember to only use a face mask once a week because overuse can actually dry out and irritate your skin. If you’re looking to buy a face mask, check out Freeman’s Feeling Beautiful Cucumber Facial Peel-Off Mask ($4.29). The combination of the cucumbers and aloe will deeply hydrate your skin while the peel-away consistency will help eliminate dry skin and blackheads. Looking for something more natural? Try this recipe, which uses avocado and honey!