The It Ingredient: Electrolytes

These essential minerals may be the new answer to chronic dry skin – think of it as the sports drink to rehydrate your skin. Here’s what it can and can’t do.

- Goh Yee Huay

If you’ve had a long and hard workout, or are down with diarrhoea, and have lost a lot of fluids, consuming a sports drink should help you rehydrate. The key lies in the electrolytes contained in the drink, which top up what your body has lost.

There are a couple of things to know about electrolytes. One: they’re electrically charged minerals like sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium dissolved in water. And two: they are vital for many key body functions including hydration, as they regulate the movement of water in and out of cells – including skin cells.