This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GentleHydration #CollectiveBias

The changing seasons can be so hard on our skin. It’s even worse here in Phoenix. I constantly feel like my skin is dry and I can’t seem to stay hydrated, despite my best attempts. Although it can be a major challenge, I think I’ve come up with some simple ways to stay hydrated and keep my skin looking it’s best. If you’ve ever struggled with dry skin, here are my 5 tips for how to keep skin hydrated, no matter the season.

1. Eat More Water-Rich Foods

Believe it or not, diet can play a major role in our hydration levels. It’s not just about drinking water and other fluids, you can actually eat your water. Foods like soups, fruits and vegetables are all great ways to add more water to your diet. Beyond the fruits and vegetables you’d expect, broth-based soups, tomato sauce, yogurt, and popsicles are also good for hydrating.

One of my goals for 2017 was to add more produce to my diet. Until recently, I didn’t realize what an important role food plays in hydration. Given that fruits and vegetables are a major contributor of water to my diet, I’m even more determined to keep that goal alive!

2. Moisturize Twice a Day

The absolute best time to moisturize your skin is right after you get out of the shower or bathtub. When applied right after getting out of the water, the moisturizer is better able to trap some of the water still on your body and use it to hydrate your skin. I ensure I’m getting the most out of my moisturizer by not drying off completely. I pat my skin with my towel to get off most of the water, but I don’t rub or get too dry. I immediately apply moisturizer to my entire body to lock in the hydration.

I also moisturize before bed each night to ensure my skin is hydrated before I go to sleep. Sleep is restorative, and so I moisturize before bed. Morning and night, I use Cetaphil® Moisturizing Cream because it provides intense and lasting moisture and is gentle for my sensitive skin. I love that Cetaphil® Moisturizing Cream is quick-absorbing, rich and non-greasy. It works perfectly right out of the shower because their unique formula attracts water to the skin and helps prevent moisture loss. Visit the Social Hub here for more Cetaphil® inspiration!

3. Carry a Reusable Bottle

This may seem like a no-brainer, but a lot of people don’t drink enough water. If you have water with you wherever you go, you’ll be more likely to drink it. Plus, then you don’t have to pay for bottled water, which is unnecessarily expensive and bad for the environment.

Carrying a reusable water bottle helps me get my water intake for the day. I also appreciate having the bottle with me in case I forget my kids’ sippy cups and they get thirsty. I feel lucky to be in the US because water is available, for free, nearly every place I can imagine. It’s pretty easy to find a water fountain in the US, so having a water bottle with me makes me feel great about myself. I’m staying hydrated, saving money, and keeping plastic out of the landfill.

4. Track Your Ounces

It’s important to drink a lot of water, but I have the toughest time remembering how much I drank. Carrying a reusable water bottle helps, because I can keep track of how many times I’ve filled it up each day. One really fun way to track your water for the day is to use bangles or bracelets. The idea is to wear them on one wrist and then move one over to the other wrist once you drank your cup or a specific number of ounces.

Another simple way to track your water intake is to use a fitness app like My Fitness Pal or an app called Waterlogged, which tracks your water intake. Make sure to do some research and know how much water you should get per day. The 8-8 oz. rule doesn’t apply to everyone, especially if you work out more or if you eat a water-focused diet. My general tip is that if my lips or throat feel dry, I’m probably not drinking enough water.

5. Use a Gentle Cleanser

When I clean my skin, I use a gentle cleanser. Through trial and error, I learned that using harsh cleansers can over-exfoliate my skin which can actually lead to more dryness. I’ve been using Cetaphil® Gentle Skin Cleanser for several years because I love how gentle it is on my skin. My dermatologist recommended it to me because I was using really harsh scrubs on my face nearly every night and he explained to me that I was actually removing the moisture from my skin by over-scrubbing/over-cleaning it. Prior to that appointment, I hadn’t heard of Cetaphil®, but now it is my go-to brand for cleansing and moisturizing. The best part is that I can get all of my favorite products at Target. I already go there at least once a week, so it is very convenient that they carry all of my favorite Cetaphil® products right in their beauty department.

Taking good care of my skin is so important to me as I’m getting older. I realize just how much what I drink, eat and put on my skin affects the long-term health of my skin and how I look and feel. I hope you found these five tips for how to keep skin hydrated helpful!

What are your best tips for keeping your skin hydrated?