Does drinking water help moisturize dry skin? We asked dermatologists

Does drinking water help moisturize dry skin? We asked dermatologists

Celebrities swear by drinking water to hydrate dry skin, extolling the benefits of extra moisture for internal health and external glow. But does six to eight cups a day really make a difference to skin health? More specifically, could quenching thirst help hydrate the face?

To find out if drinking water actually has an effect on dry skin, we turned to the pros: Caroline Cederquist, MD, Ph.D., author of "MD Factor Diet"; board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD; and board-certified dermatologist and surgeon Margarita Lolis, MD.

Read on to find out what drinking water really does for our skin.

Can drinking water really moisturize dry skin?

Unfortunately, being adequately hydrated through drinking water does not equate to hydrated, hydrated skin. "While everyone says drinking water is important for overall health, and doctors often recommend drinking more water and less caffeinated or sugary beverages, there is a lack of research showing that water intake affects skin hydration or overall health in healthy people. appearance," he told Lolis.

The problem lies in the actual physics behind how water flows through our systems. Drinking water is necessary for our bodies to function optimally and for nutrients to reach the skin through proper blood flow, but it's not necessarily the be all and end all for moist skin. "The truth is, when you drink water, the water doesn't automatically enter the skin—once the water is absorbed into the bloodstream and filtered by the kidneys, it rehydrates the cells," explains Lollis. "So, on a cellular level, drinking water is very useful because it flushes the system and keeps our bodies overall hydrated."

Benefits of drinking water for skin

Zeichner agrees that there isn't enough research to support the idea that drinking water has a big impact on the appearance of your skin, but he says there are still many benefits to drinking water. "It's a myth that drinking water helps hydrate your skin," he says. "There is no data to support the idea that drinking a glass of water helps hydrate your skin. On the other hand, there is no data to suggest that drinking less than eight glasses of water a day is harmful. The only thing to note is that when you are severely dehydrated, your skin will suffer A lot of pressure. Studies show that the skin may lose some elasticity or take on a "bumpy" effect, but only in cases of extreme dehydration. 1

Although there is no conclusive evidence that drinking water has an effect on the skin (according to Lolis, water goes directly to all the other vital organs of the body first), many people report that their skin becomes brighter or brighter after drinking more water. clearer. The bottom line is that there's no harm in drinking lots of water, and good hydration can at least help prevent the signs of severe dehydration, such as the aforementioned dry, tight, or itchy skin.

How to keep dry skin hydrated

Lolis recommends that people with dry skin don't rely too much on water to improve their complexion, but instead make an effort both topically and atmospherically, and regularly incorporate the following habits into their daily routine to keep their skin hydrated:

Use mild detergents instead of soap.

Avoid using skin care products that contain alcohol.

Avoid contact with dry air and use a humidifier if necessary.

Avoid long hot showers or washing dishes without gloves, and limit exposure to highly chlorinated water.

Apply body cream after showering and hand cream after washing hands.

Incorporate hyaluronic acid into your skin care routine.

Likewise, Zeichner says hydration is best done on the surface of the skin. "When it comes to hydrating, topical moisturizers are more effective than drinking water," he explains. "Moisturizers contain three ingredients that work together to help the skin. Occulants like white petroleum jelly create a protective seal on the skin; humectants like glycerin act like a sponge and moisturize the outer layer of the skin. Natural oils and other moisturizers Moisturizers smooth out the rough edges between cells in the outer layer." In other words, a proper moisturizer (or skin care routine in general) contains all three ingredients that help absorb and retain moisture.

In addition to the tips listed above, dry skin can benefit from products that help "lock in" moisture. While moisturizer alone can certainly help, a serum can help boost the moisturizing properties, especially when applied to damp skin. Others go for the heavy hitter, sealing the layer of moisturizing product with a top layer of Vaseline. Some people find it helps protect the skin barrier, while others may find the product a bit too occlusive.

How much water should we drink to stay hydrated?

An easy way to calculate how much water you need is to divide your body weight by half and drink that amount in ounces. In other words, if you weigh 140 pounds, you need to drink approximately 70 ounces of water per day.

If you don't drink water, be aware that you can also get fluids from water-rich foods. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the recommended intake is 125 ounces for men and 91 ounces for women. 2 "However, these numbers refer to total daily fluid intake, including all foods you consume" that contain water, such as fruits and vegetables," adds Lollis. She also recommends filling water bottles with fruit (our preference lemonade) or vegetables to make homemade spa water, or add a cup of juice to a 10-ounce water bottle for a light flavor but significantly less sugar. I drink this juice alone.

What else should we do to stay hydrated internally?

Cederquist recommends avoiding processed foods and foods high in saturated fat. "I also recommend investing in a nice water bottle and making a habit of carrying it with you," she adds.

When it comes to diet, Zeichner is an advocate for healthy foods that can lead to glowing skin. “A balanced diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids helps provide the necessary building blocks for healthy skin cell function,” he explains.

For Loli, radiant skin involves multiple factors besides diet: "Keeping skin looking soft and radiant requires a good overall diet, exercise, limiting alcohol consumption, not smoking, etc." ..IMPORTANT . "Seven hours of sleep each night, avoiding or at least significantly limiting processed foods and sugar, and good skin care are key factors." If you're not sure you're drinking enough water, you can test it very simply. "Take a urine test," Norris urged. "If you drink enough fluids, your urine will be pale and clear."

Does the environment affect how much water someone with dry skin needs?

The short answer is: yes. People who live in hot, humid climates may lose more water each day and therefore may need to drink more water than people in cooler areas. Strong winds and high altitudes can also have an impact. Therefore, be sure to consider the weather and local climate when determining how much water you need to drink each day. These same environmental factors can also affect dry skin, meaning dry clients may need more moisture (in the form of topical products) as well as more water itself.

last snack

While there may not be a direct link between drinking alcohol and moisturizing dry skin, our experts agree that maintaining optimal hydration is important for your body's overall health and keeping everything running smoothly. If you don't drink enough water, it's likely to show up on your skin - and not in a good way. According to Zeichner, the best (and proven) way to keep your skin hydrated is with some topical and ambient treatments, but drinking an extra glass or two of water can't hurt.