How does water help your skin

Post-exfoliation, using a good serum will also help with the hydration process. Glycerin really moisturizes the skin. This serum is great for mature skin. Finally, when you apply your products can impact skin hydration levels. Saedi suggests. After getting out, lightly pat skin dry with your towel and apply a thick layer to increase absorption, she advises.

That said, incorporating hydration into your skin-care routine, via exfoliation and infusing a serum with effective ingredients directly after, could have a positive effect on your skin. Additionally, you can help your skin stay hydrated by avoiding contact with hot water, upping your intake of water-rich foods, and potentially using a humidifier in your home.

The issue is the actual physics behind how water flows throughout our systems; drinking water is necessary for our bodies to run optimally, and to help nutrients reach the skin through proper blood flow, but not necessarily the be-all and end-all we need for dewy skin.

Zeichner agrees that there isn't enough research to support the idea that drinking water will make a huge difference in your skin's appearance. On the other hand, there's no data to show that drinking fewer than eight glasses of water per day is harmful. The only caveat is that if you are severely dehydrated, it will take a toll on your skin. While there's no hard evidence that drinking water will make a difference in the skin water will head straight for all your other essential organs first , many people have reported more radiant or clear skin after increasing their water intake.

The bottom line is that it can't hurt to drink plenty of water and you will be at the very least preventing signs of severe hydration like dry, tight, or itchy skin. Rather than relying heavily on water to boost your complexion, Lolis recommends exerting your efforts topically and atmospherically, incorporating the following habits into your routine regularly to keep your skin hydrated:.

Similarly, Zeichner says hydration is best fed to the skin on the surface. Occlusive, such as white petrolatum, form a protective seal over the skin; humectants, such as glycerin, act as a sponge to pull in hydration to the outer skin layers; and emollients, such as natural oils, smooth the rough edges between cells in the outer layer.

A simple way to calculate how much water you need is to divide your weight in half and drink that amount in ounces. If you're averse to drinking water, know that you can also hydrate through water-rich foods. Cederquist suggests avoiding processed foods and foods high in saturated fat. Speaking of diet, Zeichner is a proponent of digesting healthy eats for glowing skin. For Lolis, in addition to what you eat, glowing skin is attributed to a multitude of benefactors: "When it comes to skin looking supple and glowing, things like good overall nutrition, exercise, limiting alcohol consumption, not smoking, getting a minimum of seven hours of sleep per night, eliminating or at least significantly limiting processed foods and sugars, plus having a great skincare regimen are key factors.

While there aren't exactly direct benefits of drinking water for the skin, experts agree that maintaining optimal hydration is important for the body's overall health and keeps everything functioning properly.

When you're not getting enough water, that's where the difference in your skin will be most likely to show—and not in a good way.

Which leaves the question of how much water you should drink. Since it depends on the weather and what you are doing, then there is a very good internal guideline we all have that can help. If you would like to comment on this article or anything else you have seen on Future, head over to our Facebook page or message us on Twitter.

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Always consult your own GP if you're in any way concerned about your health. Medical Myths Human body. Is drinking extra water good for your skin? Share using Email. By Claudia Hammond 4th September With Lawrence E. Show references Dry skin relief. American Academy of Dermatology. Accessed Jan. Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin. Yuregir H, et al. Food for the skin. Nutrition Bulletin. Negoianu D, et al. Just add water.