If you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance you know that your skin is the largest organ in your body. And what better way to take care of it than with good ol’ water?
Not only does drinking plenty of water keep you refreshed, but it also keeps your skin youthful and hydrated. The more hydrated your epidermis (the outer layer of your skin) is, the healthier it will look and feel. So how can you get your skin to glow naturally? Keep reading to find out the benefits water has on the skin.
What water does in our body
Thanks to technological advances, experts in dermatology have been able to observe the effect that our diet has on our skin’s texture and appearance.
Many recent studies in dermatology confirm that the most significant factor in skincare does not only depend on the cosmetics that we apply (which, of course, do make a difference) but also largely on our diet.
Our body is 70 percent water; therefore, it’s logical that any lack of sufficient water intake will affect our appearance. That’s why drinking water is undoubtedly the easiest and most efficient way of preventing the signs of aging, maintaining smooth skin, and keeping the body healthy.
Additionally, water helps vitamins and nutrients to easily flow throughout the body. In particular, it collaborates with all of the body’s organs to distribute vitamins E, C, and B12, which helps to maintain the smoothness and plumpness of the skin.
Water and Skin Health
The skin is made up of two layers: the outer epidermis and the underlying dermis. The dermis is where skin cells live and is responsible for supporting the skin itself. The epidermis is made up of a thin layer of cells that helps protect against the elements (toxins, bacteria, pollutants, etc..) and the damage they can cause. If the epidermis becomes too dry, it can become damaged and lose its elasticity, or “youthfulness.” Essentially, dry skin is a sign that it’s time to hydrate!
If you’ve been reading up on the benefits of drinking water, you’ve probably heard it mentioned how it can improve your skin’s health. One study, in particular, conducted by researchers from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC, found that drinking water was linked with a reduced risk of skin aging. The researchers examined the association between skin aging and the frequency of drinking water, as well as anthropometric measures, such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and body surface area (BSA). They found that drinking water was associated with a lower risk of skin aging, independent of other risk factors.
Researchers also found that drinking water can help reduce the risks of skin damage caused by UV rays (ie: wrinkles and pigmentation spots). This is because water has a high capacity to hold molecules like oxygen and ions (such as sodium and chlorine), which are essential in the process of maintaining our skin’s hydration and pH levels.
Benefits of drinking more water
Are you starting to see all the benefits of simply just drinking water? There are so many great reasons to drink more water, not just for your skin, but for your health as a whole. Water plays an essential role in the function of your body, and it can seriously help you look and feel better.
- You will have healthier skin - Drinking more water is an easy way to keep your skin hydrated, which will help prevent dryness and wrinkles.
- You will have clearer skin - If you’re worried about breakouts, you might want to up your water intake.
- Your body will be able to absorb more nutrients thus having a positive effect on the skin
Tips to keep you hydrated
Now that you know why it’s so important to drink water, you can start implementing some new habits to hydrate your skin.
- Make sure to drink enough water. The general rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces. So if you weigh 150 pounds, half of that is 75. So you will need to drink 75 ounces per day. It is important to drink lost fluid after exercising and you may want to add more ounces to your daily goal.
- Track how much water you’re consuming. There are water bottles that help track your water intake and motivate you to keep drinking throughout the day.
- Alternatively, there are apps that give you a gentle nudge every so often to remind you to drink up. Keep the water bottle glued to you all day to make it easy to drink. After tracking, you may be surprised at how much you’re actually drinking! (could be a good surprise or a shocker surprise where you need to uplevel your drinking game).
Pro tip: Drink a glass of water within 30 mins of waking up. We lose a lot of fluid while sleeping and your body will thank you while replenishing it first thing in the morning.
Skin hydration is not just important for your skin. It's important for your overall health and the skin is our largest organ. When your skin is hydrated, it looks better, feels better, helps defend against toxins from getting in, and brings out more of your natural beauty.
Drinking more water is one of the easiest ways to keep your skin hydrated and looking great. I challenge you to start to track your intake and progress from there. Cheers to getting those ounces! #DrinkUp