Feeling Like a Magda from Something About Mary? Here’s What to Do About End-of-Summer Dry Skin
Why Is Your Skin So Dry Right Now?
Think about all of the sun, chlorine, salty water, heat, travel, maybe a few margaritas…take your pick. They all add up to dry parched skin.
Your skin’s barrier worked overtime all summer to protect you, and now it’s spent.
And, if you’re going through any hormone shifts (hello, menopause 👋), it’s no wonder your skin feels like a crunchy tortilla chip.
Why Topical Hydration Isn’t Cutting It (And What to Do Instead)
You slather on all the right things, but your skin still feels like it’s drinking them in and begging for more because hydration starts on the inside.
Try bumping up these skin-supporting, water-loving foods:
Cucumbers – 96% water and easy to throw into anything, like my favorite quinoa salad
Watermelon – summer’s hydrating MVP
Chia seeds – when soaked, they hold tons of water and help slow hydration loss
Bone broth – packed with minerals and collagen-boosting amino acids
Leafy greens – not just hydration, but loaded with antioxidantsAvocados – healthy fats = more supple skin
And of course, don’t skip the basics and drink plenty of good, clean water.
Pro tip: Add a pinch of sea salt and a squeeze of lemon to help your body actually absorb that hydration. Or toss in some electrolytes. My family just started on these, and we’ve all become big fans (Instant Hydration—the Paloma is SO good).
My top not-so-secret weapon?
Hyaluronic acid shots.
Not those kinda shots, crazy! My tequila days are far behind me. This season of my life, I try to stick with health shots, so right now, it's a hyaluronic elixir shot with a water chaser.
That’s the move if you want hydration that goes beyond surface-level glow and actually supports your skin from the inside out.
Most people know hyaluronic acid (HA) because it’s the darling ingredient in your favorite skincare products. It’s that juicy, water-loving molecule that holds 1,000x its weight in water.
But here’s what you may not know: for the long term, ingesting hyaluronic acid is far better at keeping your skin plump.
Because it hydrates all the layers of your skin—from the inside out.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance in your body—especially in your skin, joints, and connective tissue. It’s like a magnet for moisture.
What It Does for Your Skin (Topically + Internally):
🔸 On the skin (topical):
Temporarily hydrates the outer layers by pulling water from deep in the skin (dermis) to the surface of the skin
Helps soften fine lines + give a dewy look
Only works on the surface (and not very deeply)
🔸 Inside the body (internal):
Deeply hydrates skin from within
Supports collagen + elastin production
Improves elasticity, bounce, and smoothness
Lubricates joints + supports tissue repair
Internal HA = longer-lasting hydration + better overall skin health (think long-term)
Topical HA = surface-level boost (great, but short-lived)
Interesting Note:
Hyaluronic acid is often hyped as holding up to 1,000 times its weight in water—and while that’s a great marketing headline, not everyone agrees on that number. I’ve found some holding onto the 1,000, and others suggest it more likely binds between 20× and 30× its weight, which is still plenty thirsty enough to deliver serious hydration, especially when using it from the inside out.
So, my take is that hyaluronic acid is going to do it’s best work taken internally, but topical is hard to resist, especially when you really want your skin to look plump and hydrated.
“Been loving the Celluma LED Light Therapy for helping with sun damage and postpartum scars. Such a great addition to my wellness routine and it’s always so relaxing 🧖♀️😊 Laureen is so full of knowledge!” - Megan B