Before I had kids, I was one of those annoying people who claimed caffeine had no effect on them. I would drink a cup of coffee and never notice the “burst of energy” everyone always claimed to get from that morning hit of caffeine.
Apparently, in my early years, I was the picture of well-rested, youthful exuberance.
But then, I had my first child — the one who would wake up at 5:30 in the morning and refuse to go back to sleep.
It was during this dark period, I managed to rescue my coffeemaker from the depths of the pantry. I plugged it in and brewed myself a cup of warm, steaming goodness. And this time? You better believe I felt the difference. It was like an instant shot of energy. From that point on, I was hooked.
But lately, my coffee/caffeine consumption has gotten a wee-bit out of hand. When I took a moment to think about it, I realized caffeine was pretty much the ONLY liquid I was consuming, happily alternating between coffee and sweet tea from morning till night.
If you want to wreak havoc on your beauty routine, drinking a lot of caffeine is a sure-fire way to do it. In addition to a host of health problems, excessive caffeine consumption has been shown to thin the skin and cause dehydration, making the skin look dry and aged. That’s a condition that no amount of makeup can remedy. It’s okay to indulge in a daily cup of joe, but if you want to transform your skin, good ol’ fashioned H2O will do the trick every time.
The problem for me, however, is that I get bored drinking water. I can only drink so much before I start craving something with a little more taste.
The good news is there are plenty of options for adding a little “zing” to those eight glasses a day. Here are some of my favorite ways to “kick things up a notch.”
Skin Hydra: If you want to add flavor to your water, do yourself a favor and nix mixes loaded with sugar and sugar substitutes. Instead, feed your body with a supplement that can contribute to your overall health. Skin Hydra is based on the idea that the health of your skin is determined by the nutrients you put into your body. Packaged in convenient single servings, Skin Hydra can easily be added to a bottle of water and has a tasty pomegranate flavor. It’s chuck full of vitamins like A, C, D and E, as well as the “Skin Hydra Proprietary Blend,” which includes nutrients such as aloe vera, pumpkin seed oil, CoQ10 and collagen to give your skin an extra boost.
Emergen C: One little packet offers a great immunity boost, boasting 1,000 mg of Vitamin C. It’s also full of energy-boosting B vitamins, as well as minerals and electrolytes. Emergen C comes in dozens of flavors, although they can be a little hit or miss, with some having a more “vitamin-y” aftertaste than others. (I like orange best.) But, taken really cold over ice, it’s a great addition to your daily fluid intake, especially during cold and flu season. You can try a free sample by signing up here.
True Lemon: I love to add a slice of lemon to my water. Problem is, the lemons I pick up at the grocery store often go bad before I get a chance to use them all. The answer? True Lemon. True Lemon is crystallized lemon. That’s it. No funky substitutes or sweeteners, just the real deal in powdered form. Add it to your water and, I promise, you will not be able to tell the difference from a real slice. (I also like to keep a few in my purse for restaurants. Have you seen the report about lemon slices in restaurants? Suffice it to say, it would make the strongest stomach turn.) You can try True Lemon (and the other flavors — orange and lime) for free by signing up here.
Iced Green Tea: Sometimes a girl still needs a little caffeine boost. If that’s the case, brew a pitcher of iced green tea. Green tea is loaded with antioxidants that have been touted as miracle workers for the skin and overall health. And, it’s relatively low in caffeine, providing just enough for a pick-me-up. There is a trick to brewing green tea, however. Only steep it for three minutes in hot — not boiling — water. That prevents the tea from tasting bitter. Here’s my favorite recipe:
4 cups very hot water
8 regular green tea bags
2 cups cold water
1/4 cup of honey
In a saucepan, pour hot (not boiling) water over tea bags. Cover and steep for three minutes. Remove tea bags from water, squeezing gently. Stir in honey until dissolved and add 2 cups of cold water. Serve over ice, or let tea come to room temperature and then serve over ice. Serves 6.
It doesn’t matter what option you choose, only that you remember to stay hydrated. You should be drinking between a liter and a liter and a half of water daily. Ultimately your skin, and health, will thank you.
About Melissa