peptides vs electrolytes FAQ

Electrolytes are minerals — including potassium, sodium, calcium, chloride, phosphate, and magnesium — that attract water. Blood vessels supply your skin with electrolytes from the food you eat and the water you drink. You lose electrolytes when you sweat. “In the skin, electrolytes help conduct electricity when mixed with water, enabling cells to regulate pH levels and keep the body’s hydration system in check,” says Robinson. “They can help your skin to retain water… and [could] eventually help your skin get better at holding onto hydration.” The question is whether electrolytes applied to the skin actually sink in well enough to boost hydration. “When water or electrolytes are applied topically to the skin, they evaporate very quickly,” says Rodney. While Robinson hasn’t seen any high-quality studies showing if electrolyte skin care works, “On paper, it makes sense,” he says. Although he won’t recommend electrolyte creams to his patients until studies prove that they’re better than the (often significantly less expensive) moisturizers already on the market, they could be worth the splurge if they really do live up to the hype. Electrolyte creams are ideal if you work out a lot, have dry, irritated, or sensitive skin, or if you have certain types of eczema, says Robinson. Try these tips:

Electrolytes are minerals. When they dissolve in water, they gain an electric charge. That might sound dangerous, but it's actually key to a number of crucial bodily functions, including maintaining hydration, balancing your pH (a measure of acid-base balance), transporting waste out of your cells, supporting nerve and muscle function, and stabilizing your blood pressure. The most common electrolytes found in the body are:

First, you may not need one. In many cases, water is all you need to stay hydrated. And money spent on unnecessary drinks or powders can add up over time. Depending on the electrolyte drink you pick, you might also end up consuming a lot of sugar or sodium. This could have negative consequences for your overall health if you make sports drinks a habit, especially if you already have underlying health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.

Electrolyte drinks contain water and electrolytes like citric acid, salt, and potassium citrate. Some also have added vitamins such as vitamin C, and vitamins B3, B5, and B6. But many electrolyte drinks also contain ingredients you may want to avoid, including a lot of sugar, other sweeteners, and artificial flavors and colors. Electrolyte packets have similar ingredients aside from the water, which you mix in yourself. You can also find electrolytes in many other forms, including tablets, capsules, and scoopable powders.

If you're eating a balanced diet and don't participate in extreme physical activity, you're probably getting all the electrolytes you need from the foods you eat. Leafy greens, beans, tofu, fruits, vegetables, and table salt are all good dietary sources of electrolytes. In fact, many people get too much sodium because it's an ingredient in so many prepared and processed foods. Electrolyte drinks or supplements can be helpful if you're losing a lot of fluid through persistent vomiting or diarrhea. You might also need some extra electrolytes if you have a strenuous job or you frequently exercise at a high intensity, especially in hot or humid climates or at higher altitudes. That's because you lose electrolytes when you sweat.