Does Drinking More Water Improve Your Skin?

We are often told that drinking more water is one of the secrets to healthy, glowing skin. Staying hydrated is certainly important for our health, but does drinking more water really make a noticeable difference to our skin?

The answer is a little more complicated than we are sometimes led to believe.

Your Skin Needs Water

Water is essential throughout the body, including the skin. If you become dehydrated, your skin can be affected along with the rest of you.

But if you are already drinking enough, simply drinking more and more water does not necessarily mean that extra water will find its way into your skin and make it softer or more hydrated.

Our bodies regulate water very carefully and excess water is largely removed by the kidneys.

Drinking Water And Dry Skin Are Not The Same Thing

It is easy to think that dry skin simply needs more water to drink, but dry skin is often more about how effectively the skin holds onto water.

The outer layer of the skin forms a protective barrier. Part of its job is to reduce the amount of water that escapes from the skin into the surrounding air.

When that barrier is not working as effectively, water can evaporate more easily and the skin may begin to feel dry, tight or uncomfortable.

This is one reason skin often becomes drier as we get older.

So How Much Should You Drink?

Rather than trying to drink large quantities of water specifically for your skin, aim to stay normally and comfortably hydrated throughout the day.

Your needs will vary depending on things such as the weather, exercise and the foods you eat. Water in tea, coffee and other drinks also contributes to your overall fluid intake, as does water contained naturally in food.

There is no need to force yourself to drink excessive amounts in the hope of improving your complexion.

Helping Your Skin Hold Onto Moisture

This is where what you put on your skin can make a difference.

Applying skincare to slightly damp skin provides some water at the surface. Oils, butters and ingredients such as beeswax can then help soften the skin and reduce the rate at which that moisture is lost.

This is particularly useful when using waterless skincare because oils and balms do not contain water themselves.

After cleansing, try leaving your skin slightly damp before applying a small amount of your usual oil or balm.

Healthy Skin Is About More Than Water

Drinking enough water is one part of looking after yourself, but healthy skin depends on much more than how many glasses of water you drink.

A balanced diet, protection from excessive sun exposure, avoiding smoking, getting enough sleep, exercise and looking after the skin barrier all play a part.

So keep drinking water because your body needs it. Just don't feel that you need to spend the day constantly refilling your glass in pursuit of better skin.

Sometimes the most useful thing you can do is help your skin hold onto the moisture it already has.