When it comes to achieving glowy, ageless skin, every celebrity, model, and influencer always has the exact same advice: drinking water. Even wellness experts will tell you that drinking water is the first step to maintaining your looks. “When you’re hydrated, your joints are lubricated, your skin is being nourished, and your hair follicles are able to grow in healthfully,” nutritionist Kimberly Snyder, who works with A-listers like Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington, recently shared with Vogue.
It makes sense. After all, there’s no doubt that drinking enough water is essential for maintaining optimal health—and, we all know that when we’re dehydrated, we certainly don’t look or feel our best. But can drinking more water actually take your skin from dull to dewy all on its own? And, if so, how much water do you really need to drink to radiate envy-inducing glow? Here, dermatologists weigh in to dispel the myths.
Hydration for health
It’s often said that water is life—and truly, we wouldn’t survive or even exist without it. Not only does it make up most of the volume of our bodies, but it serves as a vehicle for delivering essential nutrients to our cells and removing harmful toxins and waste. It also helps our bodies maintain a normal temperature, lubricates joints, and protects our sensitive tissues and important organs. “Being well hydrated supports the body’s overall health and ability to function,” explains Dr. Deanne Mraz, Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital and the president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology.
Of course, the body’s overall health also includes the health of our largest organ, the skin. “The skin is a reflection of what’s going on inside the body, so when the body is in balance and optimal health, the skin will reflect that,” Mraz explains.
The telltale signs of dehydration
The signs of dehydrated skin are pretty obvious as well. You may see dry patches, flaking, or have a feeling of tightness. “Dehydrated skin may appear dull, which may result in the appearance of more noticeable fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles” Dr. Marisa Garshick of Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Centers explains. “When the skin is dehydrated it can worsen the appearance of common signs of aging.”
If you aren’t sure if your skin is dehydrated, you can do a quick test. “Pinch a small portion of your cheek,” Garshick advises. “If the skin doesn’t bounce back quickly or wrinkles easily, it may be dehydrated.”
The myth of dewy skin
Unfortunately, downing extra liters won’t automatically translate to having plump skin. “The main impact that hydration has on skin appearance is improved blood flow to the skin, delivering nutrients and oxygen to it as well as detoxifying the body,” Mraz explains. “It won’t ‘send’ hydration to your skin’s surface for a dewy complexion.”
Both experts recommend focusing on wellness basics like good nutrition, sleep hygiene, and water consumption, as well as on topical applications of skincare products that amp up moisture and seal it in.
An inside job
Mraz says that, when it comes to optimal water consumption for healthy skin, a good rule of thumb is to “aim for half your body weight in ounces of water.” You can load up on hydrating foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, which she says are “a great way to further boost hydration.” In other words, just apply the same reasoning you’d use for keeping yourself well-hydrated overall.
And, don’t forget to eat all your essential nutrients either. “A healthy, balanced diet filled with antioxidant-rich foods as well as healthy fats will support a healthy and glowing complexion,” Garshick says.
Amp up the moisture
To complement your wellness routine, both experts recommend skincare products that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, urea acid, ceramides, glycerin, and peptides which are known to hydrate and protect the skin.
“In general, the best way to hydrate the skin is by regularly using moisturizing creams and skincare products that boost hydration,” Garshick says. “More specifically, you can hydrate the skin by looking for humectants, which are ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, that help to draw moisture into the skin.”
In addition to humectants, Mraz says that we should also be on the lookout for products that contain emollients like shea butter, lanolin, and squalane, which “soften the skin and seal in what’s underneath it.” Exfoliation is also key. “Removing dead skin cells maximizes absorption—think retinols and AHAs,” she explains. “Active ingredients work best when the skin has been exfoliated regularly.”
And, don’t forget to consider your environment, especially during certain times of year, as excessive dry air can strip skin of its natural moisture. “In the winter months I often recommend patients try a cool mist humidifier in their bedrooms at night and in any rooms they spend a lot of time in.”
All this said, if you don’t drink enough water, you’ll definitely see the effects on your face. Take that as a reminder to drink up, your skin reflects your overall health, and water is essential for your entire well-being.
This article first appeared on www.vogue.com
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