Hydration and Skin: What Drinking Water Can and Cannot Do
Drink more water is probably the most common piece of beauty advice in the world. It is good advice for general health, but it helps to keep expectations realistic about what it does for your skin.
Inside and outside are different jobs
Drinking enough water supports your whole body, and skin is part of that. But dry skin on the surface is often more about weather, hot showers, harsh cleansers and low humidity than how many glasses you drank. That is why moisturizer still matters even if you are well hydrated.
How much is enough?
Needs vary with body size, activity and climate. A practical sign is the color of your urine: pale yellow generally means you are doing fine. Drink more on hot days and when you exercise. Thirst is a useful signal, so do not ignore it.
Make it easy
Keep a bottle on your desk or in your bag. Add slices of cucumber, lemon or berries if plain water bores you. Herbal tea counts. Fruits and vegetables with high water content, like melon, oranges and cucumber, also contribute.
Watch the dehydrators
Too much caffeine or alcohol can leave you feeling dried out. You do not need to cut them out, but pairing them with a glass of water is a handy habit.
Protect the moisture in your skin
On the outside, a few simple steps help skin hold on to water. Use lukewarm rather than hot water, keep showers short, use a gentle cleanser and apply moisturizer soon after washing. In dry indoor air, a humidifier in the bedroom can make skin feel more comfortable.
Lips need help too
Lips have no oil glands of their own and dry out easily. A simple balm, and an SPF lip balm outdoors, keeps them comfortable.
Drinking water will not erase every concern, but it is a cheap, easy foundation for feeling better overall, and your skin comes along for the ride.
