We've all found comfort, annoyance, and eye-rolls with the cliché, "It's what's on the inside that counts."

While I'm confident your mom meant that your kind heart and smart brain matter more than how you look, she was onto something when it came to the #1 most important beauty hack. The truth is that you can buy highlighter or bronzer and drown yourself in $150 night cream, but your skin won't be totally picture-perfect unless you're focusing inward. Everything from acne to dull skin to eye bags can be (and often are) a reflection of what's going on internally, whether it's an unhealthy gut, trouble with the colon, or stress and anxiety.

True beauty means achieving a balance between inside and out; good skin is merely a reflection of decent hygiene and a cared-for inside. People say eyes are the mirror of the soul, but I say it's the skin. Read on for 8 totally non-cliché ways (I swear!) that I practice skincare from within. Trust me, focusing internally will result in a glow you can't find from your makeup case or skincare shelf.

1. Staying Hydrated

If you're looking for a cure-all product for every skincare woe, water is it. Water detoxes every organ in the body–including the skin–so it helps get rid of those pesky toxins that can cause pimples and inflammation. It also boosts elasticity, meaning it lubricates skin to fill in wrinkle lines and plump sunken areas like under-eye bags or cheekbones. Lastly, the most obvious reason to drink water is that it hydrates your skin on a deep, cellular level that even the best hyaluronic acid or moisturizing cream could never achieve. When I was thirteen, I read that Gabrielle Union attributes her flawless skin (which, let's be real, is Flawless with a capital "F") to drinking multiple gallons of water a day, and I have not forgotten it since. Thank Gab for the major life hack and refill your water bottles, ladies!

2. Taking Probiotics

There's a reason you're currently asking yourself: what can't probiotics do? (and why can't Josie shut up about probiotics, already?). But the answer is that the gut is related to everything in the body, and therefore, the health of the gut determines the health of the rest of your body, including the skin. I think of skin health as a map to what's going on with the gut; if I have a breakout, I know something might be going on in the digestive system. If your gut is not healthy, this affects the absorption of nutrients and vitamins in foods, which then can cause everything from rosacea to breakouts. There are many ways to prioritize gut health, and taking a probiotic is one major step.

3. Utilizing Adaptogens

There's a good reason these buzz-worthy superfoods/superherbs are popping up in every latte and Instagram feed around the country: they have extremely potent antioxidant properties that have many benefits for the body. One of them, of course, being skin health. Adaptogens protect the skin against free-radical damage and essentially halts the aging process. Ingesting the Instagram-favorite can get you to younger, firmer, brighter, and clearer skin (so I'm stocking up, if you couldn't already guess).

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4. Saying "Thank You"

No, this is not back to that "what's on the inside counts" B.S. I'll let you in on a secret/major life hack: the more you make other people feel lovable, the more they love you–likability actually depends on how you make other people think of themselves. And the more likable you are, the more physically attractive you come off (yes, really!). But more importantly than how you come off, gratitude and empathy increases happiness, which changes the way your cells work and literally gives your complexion a radiant glow.

Plus, one of the most outstanding parts about beauty from the inside-out is that it's contagious. The more we appreciate the beauty in other people, the more beauty we'll find in ourselves. Start by smiling and saying "thank you" as often as you can: to the barista, to your mom, to the person who opened the door for you in the lobby. And actually mean it.

5. Eating Water-Rich Foods

No surprise that water-rich foods are major glow-boosters (ditto to point #1). Foods high in water content like watermelon, strawberries, cucumber, lettuce, zucchini, and tomatoes do not only provide the same benefits as water and boost hydration in the body, but fruits and vegetables also provide a bonus of antioxidants, fibers, and nutrients that help detox the skin, boost glow with vitamins like vitamin C, and reduce aging. Plus, foods like sweet potatoes and carrots (that are around 77%-95% water content) also have the added benefit of leaving skin with a subtle orange tint that will make you look like you vacationed in the South of France (without leaving your apartment).

6. Getting More Sleep

Tale as old as time, right? Getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night is imperative for the proper functioning of the entire body. But if waking up groggy the next day and an increase in sugar cravings doesn't motivate you to turn off Netflix early tonight, maybe the fact that sleep can transform your skin will (don't worry: I'm shallow like that too). Our bodies need sleep for more reasons than just recharging and having dreams about Zac Efron. Sleep allows the body to detoxify, meaning it's your body's chance to clear out toxins that naturally build up throughout the day. That also means a lack of sleep causes inflammation in the body, which can result in inflammation on the skin. Brings a whole new meaning to "beauty sleep," doesn't it?

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7. Upping Omega-3 Fatty Acids Intake

The macronutrient that once had a bad rap (fats) is actually one of the most powerful, effective nutrients you can ingest for your skin. Omega-3 fatty acids, in particular, can help reduce acne through their anti-inflammation properties and can even protect the skin against damage, whether it's from the sun, environmental factors, or aging. Plus, the oils in fatty acids not only hydrate the skin when ingested (and applied topically too), but plumps the skin, giving the appearance of younger, glowier, more even-toned skin too. Stock up on your walnuts, salmon, chia seeds, and flax seeds or take an omega-3 supplement for glowier skin in a matter of days.

8. Living in Alignment

Yes, there are a lot of profound effects that living out our purpose will have on us. There are the obvious ones like a better mood and more fulfilling life, but there's also the physical benefits like intuitively craving nourishing foods over emotionally craving sweets or processed foods, better digestion, increased energy, and–you guessed it–healthier skin. The effect that living in alignment has on our overall beauty is one of the most powerful examples of the mind-body connection; when you live in alignment with your purpose and truth, every cell in your body, from your feet to your liver to your skin is vibrating. Again, sounds cheesy I know, but once you achieve this kind of alignment, you'll know the immediate beauty effects I'm talking about. The best part? It's the kind of beauty that doesn't require enhancements or the blurring tool on Photoshop.