Most celebrities interviewed at Byrdie say that drinking water is their skincare secret. The question is whether this actually contributes to better skin health, or if it's just a widespread myth.
Do you drink enough water every day, or do you drink too much?
Since the adult human body is 60% water, and blood is 90% water, it is no surprise that drinking water can have benefits for the whole body. Water can help flush out toxins, and prevent acne. Additionally, since water is so inexpensive, it can be a great solution for skin issues. Ultimately, water can give you glowing and nourished skin, making it a miracle drink.
Does Drinking Water Actually Hydrate Your Skin?
While people typically say that drinking water is important for overall health and doctors recommend drinking more water and less caffeinated or sugary drinks, there is a lack of research proving that water consumption impacts skin hydration or appearance in healthy people. The reason for this is that when people drink water, it doesn't automatically go to the skin. Instead, it hydrates cells once it is absorbed into the bloodstream and filtered by the kidneys. So, while drinking water is good for the body overall, it does not necessarily have a direct impact on the skin.
The Benefits of Drinking Water for Skin
Zeichner believes that there is not enough evidence to support the claim that drinking water will significantly improve the appearance of skin. He states that there is no data to suggest that drinking water hydrates skin any better than not drinking water does, and that the only downside to not drinking enough water is in cases of severe dehydration, where skin may become less elastic.
Drinking water may not have a direct effect on the skin, but it can't hurt, and may even lead to more radiant or clear skin.severe dehydration like dry, tight, or itchy skin.
How to Keep Your Skin Hydrated
Rather than relying heavily on water to boost your complexion, Lolis recommends exerting your efforts topically and atmospherically, incorporating the following habits into your routine regularly to keep your skin hydrated:
- Use a gentle cleanser as opposed to soap.
- Steer clear of skincare products that contain alcohol.
- Avoid exposure to dry air, perhaps using a humidifier.
- Avoid long, hot showers or washing dishes without gloves, limiting exposure to heavily chlorinated water.
- Apply a body cream after a shower or a hand cream after washing hands.
- Incorporate a hyaluronic acid in your skincare routine.
Zeichner says that the best way to hydrate your skin is through topical moisturizers, which are much more effective than simply drinking water. This is because moisturizers contain occlusive ingredients (such as white petrolatum) which form a seal over the skin, humectants (such as glycerin) which act as a sponge to absorb water, and emollients (such as natural oils) which smooth out the rough edges between cells.
What Does Drinking Enough Water Do For Your Skin?
Water is essential for maintaining healthy skin cells and flushing out impurities and toxins. According to Dr. Harish Koutam, chief dermatologist of SkinKraft, “Lack of water is an alarming condition for your skin. Dehydration leads to increased Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and damages the skin barrier. Barrier damage causes premature ageing and other skin issues like frequent acne breakout, extreme dryness, etc.”
Here are all the benefits of drinking water for your skin:
1. Improves Skin Tone
1. Drinking enough water helps the body to flush out toxins and also gives you healthier skin. 2. Studies have revealed that even just two cups of water can increase blood flow to the skin, giving it an even tone.
2. Prevents Premature Aging
Drinking lots of water will keep your skin moisturized and help it to stay elastic. This means that your skin will not sag prematurely and that you will not get fine lines and wrinkles as early as you would if you were not well hydrated.
3. Faster Healing
If you've gotten sunburnt, drinking water and applying aloe vera can help heal your skin.
4. Reduces Puffiness
When your skin looks puffy, it is actually retaining water to protect you from dehydration. This occurs when you don’t drink enough water. Staying hydrated will reduce swelling and puffiness in your face.
5. Prevents Acne
Drinking a lot of water balances the amount of oil and water on your face, preventing your pores from getting clogged and creating acne.
High stress levels, poor sleep, and unhealthy eating habits are some of the reasons for adult acne. In terms of skincare, using a light cleanser, avoiding touching your face, and keeping your skin hydrated are some tips to help avoid or treat adult acne. Adult acne is becoming more and more common nowadays due to people leading busy lifestyles and not drinking enough water. A study [2] found that 4-6 out of every 100 people in the age groups of 20-40 have adult acne. High stress levels, bad sleep, and eating unhealthy food are some of the things that can cause adult acne. As far as skincare goes, using a light cleanser, not touching your face, and keeping your skin hydrated are some tips that can help you avoid or treat adult acne.
6. No More Itchy Skin On The Face
If your skin is dry, it is more likely to itch. It can also become dry and cracked if it does not have enough moisture. Drinking lots of water will help to stop your skin from becoming so dry that it itches.
7. Tighter Skin
If you want to keep your skin from sagging, particularly in areas where weight loss has caused it to become loose, you should drink plenty of water. This will help to restore the skin's elasticity.
8. Maintains Your pH Balance
If your skin is acne-prone or sensitive, you can improve its condition by drinking water. This will help to restore your skin's pH levels to a healthy balance, giving your skin a glowing appearance and clearing up blemishes.
9. Prevents Heat-Related Skin Eruptions
Water helps to keep your body temperature normal and prevents overheating. When your body temperature rises due to the weather or physical activity, drinking water can help you avoid developing heat boils or rashes.
10. Promotes Healthy Gut, Meaning Clear Skin
Water intake is essential for maintaining a healthy gut and aiding in proper digestion. Smooth bowel movements and a flushed toxins from your body through urine and faeces are indicative of a healthy gut. Only when your gut is healthy, your skin will remain clear and free of issues.
How Much Water Should We Drink to Stay Hydrated?
You can calculate how much water you need to drink each day by taking your weight, dividing it in half, and then drinking that amount of water in ounces.
You can also stay hydrated by eating water-rich foods. According to the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, the recommendation is 125 ounces for men and 91 ounces for women.2 “However, these numbers are referring to the overall fluid intake per day and includes anything you ingest containing water, such as fruits and vegetables,” adds Lolis. She also suggests infusing a water bottle with fruits (we're partial to lemon water) or veggies for your own homemade spa water or adding a shot glass of juice to a 10-ounce water bottle for a hint of flavor that will have significantly less sugar than drinking that juice alone.
Best Way To Add Water To The Skin
You can add water to your skin by applying a water-based moisturiser which seals in the moisture and prevents the skin from drying up. You can also follow the tips listed below to keep your skin hydrated:
1. Mint
Mint aids in digestion and can be consumed by boiling a few leaves in water, straining, and drinking after it cools. When the digestive system is functioning properly, the skin will also lookbetter.
2. Basil
Basil contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce inflammation and swelling, making your skin look younger. The flavonoids present in basil also work to protect the skin against damage. Drinking water that has been infused with basil leaves is the best way to see results.
3. Lemon
Squeezing lemon juice on your fruit or salad can add a vitamin C boost, which can help with collagen production and cleansing the liver. A clean liver leads to healthier and brighter looking skin.
4. Ginger
We all know that ginger has multiple benefits. Adding ginger to your tea, boiling it and drinking the concoction, or adding to your food, can help with digestion and inflammation.
5. Cinnamon
If you have diabetes or if you often eat a lot of sweets, you can help stabilize your fluctuating blood sugar levels, improve blood circulation, and prevent pimples and zits by drinking water that has cinnamon sticks in it overnight.
6. Juice Cubes
If you're concerned about sugar causing premature aging, one way to cut back is to freeze fruit juice in ice cubes and add them to water. This way you get the flavor of juice without the sugar.
7. Raw Honey And Apple Cider Vinegar
You can help clear acne from your skin and prevent further breakouts by adding a few drops of raw honey or a tablespoon of organic Apple Cider Vinegar to your glass of water.
How Much Water To Drink For Glowing Skin?
According to experts, you should drink 3.7 litres of water if you are a man, and 2.7 litres of water if you are a woman. This includes any beverages, fruits and vegetables you drink with high water content.
Research suggests that drinking these amounts of water keeps your skin supple. Sufficient water intake has been linked with improved skin hydration, reduced dryness and flakiness, and enhanced elasticity.
If you live in a hot climate or are involved in physical activity that makes you sweat a lot, you need to drink more water than the above-mentioned quantity. On a long flight, it is recommended that you drink enough water as that can prevent cramps and fatigue.
What Kind Of Water Is Good For The Skin?
Water that is not too hot or too cold is best for the skin as it is the most gentle. Whether you are showering or using post-shower skincare products, lukewarm water is ideal.
The pH level of water that is the healthiest to drink ranges from 6.5-8.5. The pH level of common bottled water is 6.5-7.5. However, the pH level of some alkaline water is slightly higher. The pH level of distilled RO water is between 5-7.
Wrapping Up
Water is a great way to improve your skin health in a variety of ways. Drinking the suggested amount of water each day can help prevent premature aging and give you skin that looks fuller and younger. Forming the habit of drinking plenty of water will be beneficial for your skin health long-term.
