Can You Hydrate Your Skin by Drinking Water?

Can You Hydrate Your Skin by Drinking Water?

 

If you've ever heard someone with perfect skin tell you that their secret is "drinking more water" you've probably wondered whether your skin will be radically transformed by doing the same.

Here's why drinking water is unlikely to be the silver bullet for your skin. 

 

Why Drinking More Water Won't Transform Your Skin 

To start off with, it's important to acknowledge that when you're dehydrated (or lacking in water), it can alter the look and feel of your skin. Severe hydration can result in dry, flaky lips and skin. 

However, the reality is that for most people, most of the time, even getting the right amount of daily hydration won't necessarily radically *transform* your skin. 

So if you're already consuming 8 cups of fluid a day (for women) or 10 a day for men and your skin still looks...well, the same, here's why. 

Hydration From the Inside Can Only Do So Much 

That's because your skin is an organ. It is not only affected by what's going on inside your body but by what's happening outside it too. 

Your environment plays a large role in regulating your skin's hydration levels. That's why you'll notice your skin going a bit haywire during the change of seasons (when daily temperatures fluctuate the most), as well as during the cooler months of the year. 

But it doesn't stop there. What you put on your skin also plays a big role. 

 

Things That Can Dry Your Skin Out 

All of the following have a negative impact on your skin's hydration levels:

• Artificial cooling and heating;
• Cleansing with the wrong products or cleansing at the wrong temperature; 
• Over-exfoliating your skin; 
• Long, hot showers; 
• Swimming in heavily chlorinated water; 
• Not choosing the right skincare products for your skin. 

If any of these sound like you, here's what you can do about it.

First things first, make sure you patch test all new skincare products and introduce them to your routine slowly, one by one. This not only helps you test for any allergies but also helps you to pinpoint whether a product is really doing the heavy lifting in your skincare routine. 

If you are overusing acids, exfoliants or retinoids in your routine prepare for skin that is dry and flaky. Similarly, choosing products that aren't right for your climate or skin type can also have an adverse impact on the look and feel of your skin. 

The next most important thing is to opt for hydrating skincare products. 

 

Products That Can Hydrate Your Skin 

There are three types of skincare ingredients that make a difference to your skin's hydration - humectants, occlusives and emollients. If you're looking to reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and retain moisture in your skin, opt for products that are high in these ingredients: 

1. Humectant ingredients including things like glycerin and panthenol, which you'll find in Cherry Blossom Sleeping Mask or ingredients like hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate, which you'll find in Dewy Glaze Toner. 
2. Emollients include things ceramides, which you'll find in products like Cinnamon Toast Sugar Scrub Foam. 
3. Occlusive ingredients include squalane, which you'll find in Bubble Tea Steam Cream. 

Then, you've got ingredients like Shea Butter, which is an humectant, an occlusive, and an emollient! You'll find that in Gelato Glaze Lip Mask. 

 

TL;DR

While no-one is suggesting skipping water altogether, it's important to know that it is only one factor that will influence the health of your skin. If your skin could use a bounce in elasticity, moisture or hydration then focusing on what you're putting onto your skin is just as important as what you're putting into it.