Okay, I get it. We all want the secret to having youthful, hydrated and healthy skin, right? Countless celebrities have been known for sharing their skincare secrets; many of which don't require spending hundreds of dollars on products. Their answer is simple, drink more water. According to celebrities like J.Lo, there are skin benefits to consuming the recommending daily amount of water. But does drinking water actually contribute to skin health? Is it actually the fix-all to our dry skin concerns or should we be doing more?
Today I want to help squash or confirm any beliefs you have regarding hydration and skin care. Water is a very important element to our lives and although our skin certainly does benefit from proper H2O intake, there are other dermatologist-approved tips to obtaining that dewy, healthy skin.
To Start...Does Drinking Water Help Our Skin?
The idea of healing dry skin by drinking water almost seems textbook obvious. Since water hydrates from the inside out, dealing with dry, cracked skin by drinking water is the most hydrating thing we can do for our bodies. But the truth is, water doesn't immediately go to our skin once we drink it.
The actual physics behind how water flows through our systems is a bit more intricate than that. Once absorbed into the bloodstream, water is filtered by the kidneys and will then hydrate the cells to flush our system and hydrate the body overall. There is no easy absorption process to change the way our body receives hydration.
Water and Skin Benefits
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but, there is no supporting evidence to show that drinking ample water directly affects the appearance of our skin. But before you take that piece of information and assume water doesn't help your skin, there is proof that severe dehydration will cause reduced skin tugor - the skin's ability to change shape and return to normal - making wrinkles MUCH more noticeable. You can be sure to experience more radiant and clear skin after increasing your hydration. If nothing else, you will prevent dehydration which IS linked to dry, tight, or itchy skin.
While it may be said that that drinking water won't 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 at the very least be preventing signs of severe dehydration like the previously mentioned dry, tight, or itchy skin.
How to Hydrate Your Skin
Be sure to still consume lots of water BUT, rest assured that there are other ways that you can get that dewy, hydrated skin look. Not only are topical products going to help, but developing good skincare habits will be essential to skin hydration.
Check out the tips below to see where else you may be able to make some changes:
Avoid harsh soaps and wash cloths by choosing a gentle cleanser.
Steer clear of skin products containing alcohol or alpha hydroxy acid.
Add a humidifier to your home, especially during the dry, winter months.
Avoid long, hot showers or washing dishes without gloves, limiting exposure to heavily chlorinated water.
Apply a body cream immediately after a shower or hand cream after washing hands.
Incorporate a hyaluronic acid in your skincare routine.
How Else Can I Hydrate?
Wondering just how much water to consume daily is a bit easier than you think. The best way to do this is to divide your weight in half and then consume that in ounces. For example, someone weighing 160 pounds would want to drink 80 ounces of water daily. Yet sometimes even consuming that much can seem tough. Thanks to a little product that I know and love, there is a way to increase water absorption.
Liquid I.V. is a pretty well-known product these days for creating a product that contains Cellular Transport Technology, or CTT, which enhances the rapid absorption of water and other key ingredients into our bloodstream.
When we drink fluids, they have to pass through our entire digestive system, causing them to lose water, all before we absorb them. CTT is the use of a precise ratio of sodium, glucose and potassium to create an osmotic force, allowing water to be delivered to the bloodstream faster.
Proper hydration has many benefits but a few of the most important ones like improving exercise performance, decrease anxiety and jet-lag when traveling, AND can even help you burn calories. Here are some facts regarding just how dehydration will affect regular activities:
Exercise performance is impaired when you are dehydrated by as little as 2% of your body weight. Lean muscle in the body is comprised of around 80% water, so it requires proper hydration in order to function.
The average airplane has about 5-12% humidity-less than the Sahara desert. Mild dehydration is common when traveling by air, and is one of the primary causes of jet lag. Not hydrating properly during travel can also worsen fatigue, headache, jet lag, nausea, and anxiety.
Proper hydration is one of the most effective ways to help your body burn calories. You burn approximately one calorie for every fluid ounce of water you absorb.
With this in mind, it is also important to note that avoiding processed foods or foods high in saturated fats is important to improving hydration. Maintaining a well-rounded diet that is full of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids is necessary to help the building blocks for healthy skin cell function.
The phrase, "You are what you eat" is not just a myth. What we consume will surely show on the outside so limiting alcohol, not smoking, AND limiting processed foods is the best step you can take for your skin health. Also be sure to have a good, consistent skincare routine to really give your skin the vitamins it needs.
If you're unclear whether you're getting enough water, there's a simple way to test for this: Do the urine check, when you're properly hydrated, your urine will be pale and clear.
Final Thoughts
Although there are no direct benefits of drinking water for the sake of your skin appearance, staying hydrated is extremely important for the overall health of your body and mind. The truth is, when you're not getting enough water, that's where the difference in your skin might be most likely to show—and not in a good way. The best (and proven) way to keep your skin hydrated is through a little topical and environmental TLC—but drinking an extra glass or two of water won't hurt.
**All opinions are my own. There is an Affiliate link in this post and if you use the code BLONDEBOMB_CHEL at checkout on Liquid I.V. then you will receive a discount at checkout!**
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