If Skin Care 101 was an actual book, “Drink Water” would definitely be the very first chapter. From estheticians to your mom to Miranda Kerr, literally anyone and everyone who cares about good skin has testified that they drink water religiously. But will drinking more water really make a noticeable difference in your complexion? Actually, yes.
Weirdly enough, the basic rule of skin care is also the one rule we keep ignoring. If you are getting your seven to eight glasses every day already, congratulations. It means that you are virtuous and on the path to wellness enlightenment. But if you keep ditching water for coffee and kombucha, we can certainly relate to your ongoing struggle.
A 2011 study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information states that skin is comprised of 30 percent water. Though adequate water consumption alone is not enough to slow down aging or treat sun damage, it is a key measure to retain elasticity and prevent breakouts. Curious what drinking more water can do for your skin? Keep reading to uncover the many, many benefits of adding more H20 to your daily (skin care) routine.
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Drinking More Water
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Less Visible Pores, Anyone?
Once you've looked into a magnifying mirror, it's hard to remember a time when you didn't wish your pores were a little less noticeable. Water can help with that. Rachel Nazarian, a dermatologist at New York's Schweiger Dermatology Group, told Women's Health, "Without adequate water intake, skin appears duller, and wrinkles and pores more prominent. I’ve even found that my patients tend to complain of more acne lesions when they’re dehydrated."
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Make Way for Plumper Skin
Plumpness and supple skin are things we're all looking for. But in spite of all the retinol and facial oils, drinking enough water can transform your skin. Dehydrated skin lacks elasticity and water is important for boosting collagen. Connect the dots yet?
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Flush Out Breakouts
The simplest way water helps your body and skin is by helping your body carry nutrients through your system. This allows your body to function smoothly and optimizes circulation. Which is why, along with drinking seven to eight glasses of water a day, experts advise getting plenty of fruits and vegetables with high water content, like watermelons and celery.
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An Anti-Aging Must
Dehydration ages skin and you can visibly keep track of how your skin changes once you drink more water. And there are plenty of other actions you can take that are just as easy as filling up your water bottle. "You can help ensure healthier, younger-looking skin by filling your diet with plenty of antioxidant-rich 'good fats' and water-dense fruits and vegetables, getting adequate sleep, and by avoiding the sun in addition to wearing broad-spectrum sun protection on a daily basis," Cammie Cannella, Senior VP of Global Education and Customer Relations of Kiehl's, tells Cosmopolitan.
