Water: The Key Ingredient to Healthy, Glowing Skin
You’ve heard it since you were a kid: drink more water. Water is essential to the health of our bodies, including our skin. (After all, our skin is made up of 64 percent water!) Staying hydrated has numerous health benefits, such as aiding in digestion and circulation. But did you know that it might actually be the secret to glowing skin? Read on to discover how water can benefit your skin, and the best ways to use it to your advantage.
3 Ways Water Benefits Your Skin
First, water helps fight dry skin. Whether your skin is naturally dry or it’s wintertime and your complexion is suffering, water can help. Just like any other cell in your body, skin cells are made of water and thus require water in order to stay healthy. If your skin is lacking water, it will become dry, which can result in flakes, itchiness, and irritation. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it can make your skin less resilient and more prone to wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Second, drinking water helps flush out unwanted toxins from your body. If your body doesn't have enough water, it won’t be able to rid itself of toxins, and the result is negative health effects. These effects can take the form of acne, dull skin, headaches, or even rashes.
Finally, the third way that water benefits the skin is by fighting puffiness. When your body is dehydrated, it does everything in its power to retain the water that it still has. This process makes your skin look puffy and swollen (this is why you’ll notice your face is puffier in the morning, or after you cry). To avoid bloated or puffy looking skin, it is essential that you keep your body hydrated. What exactly is the best way to do that? Keep reading!
Drink More Water
The best way to take advantage of the incredible benefits water has to offer your skin is two fold. First, you need to drink more water. Dermatologists and general physicians alike will recommend that you drink an average of eight, 230mL glasses of water each day. Studies have shown that by drinking two to two and a half litres of water each day, you can see results in as little as one month (hello, glowing skin!). However, increasing your water intake alone isn’t enough. You also need to ensure that you have a skincare routine in place that helps your skin retain water.
Develop a Skincare Routine Based in Hydration
In addition to upping your water intake, the secret to glowing skin also lies in the skincare products you use and how you use them. For example, we always recommend using a daily moisturizer, and ideally, you want to apply your moisturizer right after you shower. This is because, after showering, your skin is at its most porous, which allows for better absorption. Further, choose skincare products that contain water, like moisturizers or serums. You may also want to consider using skincare products that contain ingredients which act as humectants. Let’s take the example of hyaluronic acid. This superstar skincare ingredient is one of the best humectants out there. It has the ability to hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water. What this means is that hyaluronic acid will not only attract water to your skin but also retain it, leaving your skin plump and hydrated.
