Our skin stands as an impressive shield, not only as our body's largest organ but also as our defense against pollutants, toxins, and harmful microorganisms. It's a regulator of body temperature, preventing dehydration and safeguarding us from extreme weather conditions. Undoubtedly, we all desire skin that radiates health and youthfulness. However, amidst this aspiration lies a maze of misconceptions regarding skincare.
One myth that just won’t die is that drinking lots of water improves your skin by banishing wrinkles and making pores smaller, among other anti-aging pluses. Experts don’t buy it. And neither should you.
While the quest for quick solutions to improve skin appearance is common, it's vital to understand that merely drinking more water won't solve all skin aging issues. Nonetheless, maintaining proper hydration remains crucial for overall health, ensuring that while our skin may naturally change with age, it remains healthy and vibrant.
How Much Water Should You Drink for Healthy Skin?
When it comes to staying hydrated, a simple rule is to divide your body weight in half to find out how much water you should drink daily. For instance, if you weigh 150 pounds, aim for around 75 ounces of water each day. This total includes water from both drinks and food.
Remember, everyone's needs are different. If you're active, live in a hot or dry climate, or spend a lot of time outdoors, you may need more water to stay hydrated.
Drinking too much water can lead to water intoxication, a rare condition where the body's salts and electrolytes become overly diluted, causing hyponatremia. This puts strain on the kidneys, which act as the body's filtration system.
If you're not properly hydrated, drinking more water can benefit your skin health. However, if you're already drinking the recommended daily amount and are adequately hydrated, drinking extra water likely won't make a noticeable difference in the health or appearance of your skin.
What Does Drinking Enough Water Do For Your Skin?
When you drink sufficient water, it hydrates the cells throughout your body via the bloodstream. This hydration extends to the skin, which is the body's largest organ, while simultaneously flushing out impurities and toxins at the cellular level. Dehydration is concerning for your skin because it leads to increased Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), damaging the skin barrier. This barrier damage can result in premature aging and other skin problems like frequent acne breakouts and extreme dryness. So, here are all the benefits your skin gets from drinking water:
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Improves Skin Tone: Drinking enough water helps flush out toxins, promoting healthier skin. Research shows that even just two cups of water can increase blood flow to the skin, giving it a more even tone.
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Prevents Premature Aging: Staying hydrated enhances skin elasticity, delaying sagging and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
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Faster Healing: Hydration aids in the speedy recovery of sunburns, with water helping to soothe burnt areas, especially when combined with aloe vera application.
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Reduces Puffiness: Adequate hydration prevents skin puffiness, which occurs when the body retains water to prevent dehydration. Ensuring hydration levels are met reduces swelling and puffiness in the face.
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Prevents Acne: Drinking ample water helps balance the oil and water content in facial skin, reducing excess oil and sebum secretion, thus preventing clogged pores and acne.
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Relieves Itchy Skin: Dry skin tends to itch and develop flakes due to lack of moisture. Proper hydration ensures the skin remains moisturized, preventing dryness and itchiness.
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Tighter Skin: Water intake can help maintain skin elasticity, preventing sagging skin, especially in areas prone to sudden weight loss.
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Maintains pH Balance: Proper hydration supports healthy skin by helping to balance the body's pH levels, reducing the likelihood of blemishes and promoting a glowing complexion.
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Prevents Heat-Related Skin Issues: Adequate water intake helps regulate body temperature, preventing heat-related skin problems such as boils and rashes.
- Promotes Healthy Gut, Meaning Clear Skin: Water aids in maintaining a healthy gut and proper digestion, facilitating toxin removal from the body through urine and feces, ultimately promoting clear and healthy skin.
Additionally:
- Our bodies lose water through everyday activities, including breathing.
- Foods with high water content, such as soups, coconut water, buttermilk, cucumbers, and oranges, contribute to our hydration.
- Drinking sugar-free soda water with lemon between alcoholic drinks can help prevent hangovers and reduce overall alcohol consumption.
- In hot climates or during vigorous physical activity, it's essential to drink more water to replenish lost fluids and prevent dehydration. Similarly, on long flights, adequate hydration can help prevent cramps and fatigue.
What Kind Of Water Is Good For The Skin?
- Lukewarm water is best for the skin as it is the gentlest on your skin. Whether for a shower or for post-shower skincare products, using lukewarm water is ideal.
- Water with a pH balance ranging from 5-8.5 is the healthiest to drink. Common bottled water has a pH level of 6.5-7.5. However, some alkaline ones are slightly higher and distilled RO water is between 5-7.
Wrapping Up
From preventing premature aging to providing plumper, younger-looking skin, water is the magic ingredient that can address a multitude of skin issues. Incorporating the recommended amount of water into your daily routine is essential. Your skin will undoubtedly thank you for it, radiating health and vitality as a result.
