Celebrities, influencers, our mum’s often swear by the restorative power of water. Consuming glass after glass each day to heal all your health problems. Sad looking skin included. And I’ve always blindly accepted this ‘fact’ because it makes sense. Water is good for you.
But is it really quenching my skin from within? Keeping my face plump and supple?
Here’s what I’ve since learned.
When you drink water it doesn’t rush straight to the skin and provide instant luminosity. It hydrates cells once absorbed into the bloodstream and filtered through your organs. Drinking water is what flushes out The System; providing hydration to the body overall. But from a skincare standpoint it’s working harder to improve blood flow (delivering nutrients and preventing a build up of toxins) than it is directly reviving dry or thirsty skin.
However… A severe lack of water, or dehydration, will alter the look and feel of your skin. It can start to lose its elasticity, look dull, become tight, dry, or itchy. And for people who deal with inflammatory conditions like eczema, rosacea, or dermatitis, your skin is much more prone to flare ups when in this compromised state.
How much water should I be drinking?
Not only is this volume very personal, taking into account individual metabolism, diet, existing health conditions, and exercise, water intake will very much fluctuate with your age and life stage.
As a general rule of thumb, men need 10 cups of fluids every day and women need about eight cups (add another if you are pregnant or breastfeeding)*. You can get water from any fluids — tea, coffee, fruit juice, soft drinks - but be careful how much of these you drink since they are processed and often contain high sugar content. Good ol’ tap water is always the best option.
How else can I keep my skin hydrated?
Your environment matters. And so too does what you put on your skin, morning and night.
Have a go at incorporating the following healthy habits into your routine:
- Use gentle, nourishing products
- Incorporate hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides
- Avoid long, hot showers which dry out the skin
- Lather your body in cream post-shower to replenish moisture lost
- Limit your exposure to heavily chlorinated water (opt for ocean swims instead)
- Invest in a humidifier to combat dry air in the apartment/office
Drinking water is not the be-all-and-end-all for seriously dewy skin. Like I said, any H20 you do drink is headed straight for essential organs first, to help you function optimally each day. But staying well hydrated is going to ensure you avoid any visible signs of dehydration too.
So, don’t throw away your trusted serums and moisturisers because water alone is not the beauty elixir it’s often touted to be.
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