Have you ever started using a new skin care product or regimen and become frustrated that your skin issues don’t disappear as quickly as you hoped? What about when new skin concerns pop up and you’re left wondering why?

The truth is, healthy skin is 100% linked to a healthy lifestyle. No single skin care product or even regimen can create healthy skin; it can only support a healthy lifestyle while topically targeting specific concerns.

So, what does a healthy lifestyle to support skin health look like? Here are four easy things you can start doing today to support skin health from the inside out.

Hydrate
Yes, we’ve all been told to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day, but is that still the recommendation? While it’s still the official base number, more research is showing that other types of liquids can count toward your daily hydration. That means milk, low-sugar or fresh juice, and even tea and coffee can count toward your hydration goals each day.

Not only that, but 64 ounces of hydrating liquid is simply the minimum amount required for basic health needs. Some experts recommend drinking between one half ounce and one ounce per pound of body weight, while others say you should shoot for an even 100 ounces per day.

Regardless of the number you set for yourself, drinking hydrating liquids throughout the day is one of the easiest way to support skin (and overall) health by keeping it moisturized and allowing the skin to function as it should.

Exercise
Working out is good for body, soul, and skin! We took an in-depth look at how exercise supports skin health in another post, but here’s a quick glimpse at the highlights.

Exercise boosts circulation, which improves skin texture, tone, and clarity. It helps the skin maintain a healthy level of oxygen, and can even help support youthful qualities like firmness.

Sweat caused by exercise helps push toxins, dirt, and debris from the pores. It is naturally clarifying, just as long as you bathe soon after exercising and don’t allow those toxins to sit on your skin for too long.

Sleep
Catching some Z’s is actually essential to skin health. While we sleep, our body uses that time to heal itself — whether that means closing a cut or repairing inner damage.

We all know that we don’t look our best after a poor night’s sleep. Eyes are dark and puffy, skin is dull and dehydrated, and your skin concerns like eczema and acne may even be worse. Allowing your skin that time to heal is one of the best ways to improve skin health and appearance.

Eat
You don’t need to eat more, just better! Skin thrives (as does the rest of your body) when you fill it with vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. There’s a reason why so many antioxidant vitamins are added to topical skin care products: your skin needs them to function and look its best!

As you can see, following a healthy lifestyle is as important to your skin as it is to your overall quality of life. If you begin changing your bad eating, sleeping, and exercising habits, you’ll soon find that you’re seeing clearer, brighter, and healthier skin.