H20: An Essential Ingredient for Healthy Skin
There’s no doubt that water is important to your overall health, but how does it help your skin? A common assumption is that drinking more water hydrates your skin, but there’s actually not much evidence to support the connection between smooth, youthful skin and drinking water. However, drinking too little water can have negative effects on your skin. Water, paired with the proper skincare routine and nutrition, is essential to keeping your skin as healthy as possible.
Consequences of Dehydration
Dry skin is a symptom of dehydration. Since dry skin has lost a lot of moisture, it may have noticeable fine lines and be itchy. Skin hydrates by circulating water from inside the body to its outer layers. When your insides are parched, your skin doesn’t get enough water, either. This lack of water can also cause your skin to lose plumpness and elasticity. Dehydration can be measured through skin turgor, or how quickly the skin bounces back when it is pinched or lifted up. When you’re dehydrated, it will take longer for your skin to return to its original shape.
Dry skin can also lead to excess oil production, contributing to acne. Keeping your skin hydrated through a combination of moisturizers and drinking water can help prevent these annoying pimples. If the skin around your eyes is sunken, it can be another indication of dehydration. In short, dehydrated skin is weaker skin.
Benefits of Drinking Water
How much water should you drink? In the United States, it’s recommended to drink eight glasses of water per day, and more in hotter climates where people are more likely to sweat. For a generally dehydrated individual, regularly drinking enough water can improve skin thickness, density, and hydration. Studies show that adding more water to a diet, especially in individuals who generally drink less water daily, can positively impact skin. Drinking more water also leads to more sweat production, which flushes out toxins on the skin and resets the hydration process.
Don’t Just Rely on Water for Your Skin!
If you are dehydrated, drinking more water is proven to help your skin. If you are drinking the recommended amount of water, then pair that hydration with moisturizers and other skincare products to create the best results for your skin. For example, using a hydrating moisturizer after getting out of the shower will help your skin better absorb the product. If you’re already hydrated, adding more water to your routine most likely won’t have an impact.
Hydration and nutrition are both important to healthy skin. Just like mixing hydration with skin moisturizers, it takes a combination of diet and water intake to maintain the healthiest skin possible. Check out our blog for more information about how nutrition can help your skin.
Can drinking water lead to healthier skin? Dehydration can create negative consequences for your skin, so drinking enough water will eliminate those risks. Water alone won’t lead to perfect skin hydration. Drinking an adequate amount of water should be paired with proper skincare products and a healthy diet for the best results.
If you’re struggling with skin dryness, wrinkles, acne or other issues and lifestyle changes haven’t solved your problem, consulting a trusted dermatologist is the next step! Get in touch with our team any time. New River Dermatology would be happy to help!