Are there any benefits to drinking water for the skin?

Do you drink a lot of water every day? Drinking water is a great way to stay hydrated, control your health, and have beautiful skin. But is it the best solution to ward off all your skin problems? Although drinking water has many benefits for your skin, it is essential to know that water alone cannot help you. With that said, let’s see whether drinking water is good for your skin or not.

What are the benefits of drinking water for the skin?

Your body is 70% water, which is why it is an essential nutrient or ingredient for humans to function properly. Since the skin is the mirror of the internal body and mind, having a healthy body will reflect on your skin. That being said, water does not directly benefit the skin. However, water is essential to carry out bodily functions and ensure that all organs are functioning at their optimal capacity. But many people think that drinking enough water will reverse their wrinkles, fine lines, or aging, which unfortunately won’t happen.

Read also: 9 Benefits of Drinking Water to Improve Overall Health

Our skin is made up of seven layers, including the epidermis and the dermis. The lower layers are alive and need water, hydration and a balanced diet. However, the top layer is dead and needs to be hydrated and protected from environmental factors like pollution. As a skincare routine, it is essential to apply water on top and lock it in with a moisturizer.

Drinking water can benefit your skin. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

How much water should you drink to have clear, glowing skin?

A person should consume at least two to three liters of water per day for optimal health. In some scenarios, water consumption should be even higher for nursing mothers who need four to five liters of water. Additionally, people and children who participate in outdoor sports need more water to stay hydrated. Likewise, people living in hot, humid climates might need more water. However, the focus should also be on liquids with good electrolyte levels, such as nimbu pani and coconut water, as they have optimal electrolyte levels. This is especially important in hot climates like India. In the above cases, normal water may not be enough and can sometimes lead to dehydration of the skin.

Hot, cold or lukewarm water: which is better?

Water temperature does not matter and it is a myth that a particular water temperature is better. However, it is best to drink water at room temperature. Cold water can lead to respiratory infections and hot water can lead to mouth ulcers. Also, people should stop storing and drinking water in plastic bottles. They can use copper and earthenware pots to hold water and transfer it to steel or glass jars. Copper and earthen pots transfer essential minerals to the water, which is why they are highly recommended.

Are there any side effects of drinking too much water on the skin?

The function of the kidney is to take care of excess water in our body. When we drink more water, the kidneys will produce more urine, thereby solving the problem of excess water in the body. If someone drinks less water, they will show signs of dehydration. Due to dehydration, the skin will become dry and slowly return when pinched on the forearm or result in chapped lips, a sign that a person needs to drink more water.

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benefits of drinking water for the skin
Drinking more water can help soothe dehydrated skin. Image provided by: Shutterstock

Besides normal drinking water, seasonal vegetables and fruits also contain good amounts of water. It is highly recommended to add seasonal vegetables or fruits like cucumber and watermelon to the daily diet as they provide our body with essential nutrients. As a general rule, 50 percent of a person’s diet should include 2 to 3 fruits and vegetables.

Can drinking water alone lighten your skin?

Our body has defense mechanisms, such as the intestine, respiratory tract, kidneys and skin. All four are the excretory channels of our body and they have their built-in, very complex mechanisms that help eliminate toxins on their own. So, drinking water alone cannot be a one-stop solution to clean our skin. What is more important is to have a balanced lifestyle and a healthy routine, which includes a balanced diet and regular exercise, sleeping on time and not undergoing a lot of mental stress. All of these things are more important than just focusing on a single solution.

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