If the outermost layer of the epidermis doesn't contain enough water, skin will lose elasticity and feel rough. Despite this connection, however, there's a lack of research showing that drinking extra water has any impact on skin hydration or appearance.
Always make sure you are drinking at least six glasses a day to stay hydrated and healthy. From helping your skin maintain elasticity, to reducing wrinkles and fine lines, water can do amazing things for your skin and for your overall health.
While making any long-term changes to your skin takes time, you can start to repair your moisture barrier and notice a serious boost in hydration to the skin in just a few days. In fact, you can change hydration levels in the skin in just 24 hours .
“Everyone wants a quick fix when it comes to making skin look better, but drinking more water isn't going to help get rid of wrinkles or plump up your skin unless you are extremely dehydrated,” says Elizabeth Damstetter, MD, a dermatologist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
We tend to think that drinking a lot of water can cure dry skin, but the truth is that it's not effective. A normally-hydrated person probably won't see a difference in their skin after drinking an increased volume of water.
Water is cheap and healthy. And drinking H2O is an effective way for most people to stay hydrated. The National Academy of Medicine recommends that adult women and men drink at least 91 and 125 ounces of water a day, respectively. (For context, one gallon is 128 fluid ounces.)
Beauty experts say that beating the signs of aging doesn't need any surgery. Studies show that water can bring back your youth. Water is all around and even inside you. While it's essential for your survival, it is also vital for your health and youthful looks.
Water is an intrinsic component of collagen
"Water is an integral component of collagen," says Admir Masic. In the protein's natural state, water accounts for about 60 percent of the substance by weight. Water molecules bind tightly to collagen that they follow its helix shape, says Masic.
For most people, there is really no limit for daily water intake and a gallon a day is not harmful. But for those who have congestive heart failure or end stage kidney disease, sometimes water needs to be restricted because the body can't process it correctly.
If you have dry skin, that means your skin is lacking oil and it needs to be moisturized. If you have dehydrated skin, your skin lacks water and it needs to be hydrated. Hydration makes our skin feel soft, but it won't stay soft if there is no oil to protect that hydration from escaping.
“Drinking green tea could help too, as it contains catechins which have been found to improve skin hydration,” says Thurner. In terms of food, seeds and nuts could give your skin a real boost. “These contain antioxidant vitamin E and linoleic acid, a type of fat that can help with skin hydration,” she adds.
Coconut water is, undoubtedly, the best hydrating drink. It is low in calories and rich in potassium and is known to have better hydrating qualities than plain water. It is also energizing in nature which makes it a healthier substitute for packaged sports or energy drinks.
Sipping water and allowing it to stay in the mouth and then passing through the food pipe helps the alkaline saliva reach the stomach to neutralise acid levels in the stomach. Chugging water directly through a bottle causes water to run down the throat, missing out on carrying saliva to the stomach.
Replacing water and electrolytes (oral rehydration) completely takes about 36 hours. But you should feel better within a few hours. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety.
Just hydrate by applying humectants like hyaluronic acid first, then follow up with an occlusive like plant oils to lock it in. Or, if you want to keep things simple, look for a product that does both. Face masks are a great option to get the one-two punch to hydrate and moisturize your skin with a single product.
Some natural oils are a good alternative to traditional moisturizers," says dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban over email. Some good options include argan oil, coconut oil, and olive oil. "There are many skin products that now contain oil as well as soaps that are oil based, which may also be a good alternative," she says.
You'll feel less hungry and may even lose weight. You'll probably experience more comfortable digestion (less heartburn). Bowel movements might be easier and more regular. Your teeth and gums will be healthier and more resilient.