Giving your body enough fluid is the best thing you can do to keep yourself healthy. After all water flushes out toxins from the body, lubricates joints, helps relieve constipation, keeps your energetic and is necessary for overall health. One should drink at least 2 liters of water every day to stay fit. It is even said that water is essential to keep the skin hydrated and glowing. But how much truth is there to this claim?
Why drinking plenty of water won’t help your skin?
There is no doubt that hydration is important for overall health, but it is still unclear that guzzling water can help to get supple and glowing skin.
Our skin is made up of three layers – the outer layer (epidermis), the underlying skin (dermis), and the subcutaneous tissue.
If a sufficient amount of water is not present in the outermost layer of the skin, it will lose elasticity and feel rough. Despite this, there is no scientific evidence to prove that drinking extra water will hydrate your skin. A review from Clinics in Dermatology revealed that only one study highlights the benefits of long-term water intake on skin health. A study conducted by the University of Missouri-Columbia showed that drinking 500 milliliters of water increased blood flow to the skin, but they were not able to prove any link to skin appearance.
What to do for good skin?
The hydration of the skin depends more on your skin’s ability to hold water. Skin is hydrated through one of the two ways: either by natural oil production of the skin or topically applied creams or lotions. Your diet also plays an important role in keeping your skin soft and supple. Include plenty of fat and limit your carb intake to prevent evaporation of water from your skin surface.
The verdict
Overall it can be said that drinking excessive water may just be good for your internal organs. Your hormones, genetics, lifestyle, diet, exercise routine, choice of skincare products, are some of the things that affect your skin. So, it can be said that drinking enough water may be important for the overall health, but it is not an answer to all skin related issues.
Things to do to maintain hydration of the skin
-Reduce exposure times to the heat
-Do not use hot water to wash your face or take a bath
-Use mild cleanser instead of soap
-Avoid skincare products containing alcohol
-Apply moisturiser immediately after taking a shower or washing your hands
-Wear gloves when going out in cold weather
TNN/timesofindia.indiatimes.com