By: Ana Margarita Olar| Vigorbuddy.com
Drinking water has many benefits when it comes to our overall health. What about for dry skin? Does drinking more water hydrates dry skin? Let’s find out:
Where does water go?
Water doesn’t literally go straight to the skin after we drink it. According to a dermatologist Katie Rodan, “Water goes through the intestines, gets absorbed into the blood stream. It is filtered by the kidneys and then it hydrates the skin. But, it is not enough to moisturize dry skin.”
What will work for dry skin?
We lost body fluids every day through perspiration, urination, and respiration. And if water is not replaced, it can lead to dehydration which manifests itself through symptoms such as a dry and cracked skin. Aside from drinking water, here are some ways to bring back the moisture to a dry skin:
- Use hydrating moisturizers immediately after taking a bath, when the skin’s pores are still open allowing better absorption of the moisturizing product.
- Choose products that contain hyaluronic acid before applying moisturizer. This substance attracts and holds water, thus bringing back moisture and suppleness to a dry skin.
- Minimize exposure to elements that depletes skin’s lipid layers such as low humidity, dry heat, harsh winds, alcohol, excessive sunlight, alcohol, and harsh soaps, all of which strip skin’s natural oil and lead to dry skin.
What do studies say?
A study from the University of Missouri-Columbia Study showed that drinking 500ml of water increases blood flow to the skin, which means more oxygen and nutrient supply to the skin. Another study from Clinics and Dermatology Review in 2007 found that drinking 9.5 cups of water daily for 4 weeks altered skin density and thickness.
What are the other benefits of drinking water?
Though few studies relate the hydrating effect of water to dry skin, here are some sure benefits that you can derive when drinking water:
- Flushes out toxins:
Water facilitates removal of toxins through urination and sweating.
- Improves skin elasticity:
Proper hydration contributes to the elastic, soft and supple skin.
- Relieves fatigue, stress, and headache
- Aids in regular bowel elimination and facilitates digestion and absorption of nutrients.
So whether drinking water directly has an effect on dry skin or not, is not much of an issue, the important thing is drinking water has numerous benefits not only to maintain supple, elastic and younger looking skin but in our overall wellbeing.