Fact or Fiction: Does Drinking Water Clear Your Skin?

Everyone knows drinking water is necessary to maintain your overall health, but can it also clear your breakouts? Read on to find out how drinking water affects the skin and if the solution to your wrinkles or acne problem is as simple as getting eight glasses of H2O daily.

One study found that dehydrated individuals also had lower moisture levels on their skin. Although chugging gallons of water a day won’t erase your fine lines and wrinkles, it will keep your body functioning well. Total body hydration means more water is transferred to the skin, resulting in increased elasticity and delayed skin aging.

Although drinking water alone will not give you dewy glass skin, it can’t hurt to make hydration part of your skincare routine. On top of that, maintain moisture with products that nourish the skin without stripping it of its natural oils. Try Dove Go Fresh Cucumber & Green Tea Body Wash, which has a mild and gentle formulation that leaves skin looking soft and feeling hydrated and fresh for up to 24 hours.

Another study revealed that adult acne was more prevalent in individuals who lacked hydration. As mentioned above, when the body is dehydrated, the skin becomes dry – which can make it overcompensate by producing more sebum than it needs. The excess oil can clog your pores and lead to breakouts.

Therefore, cooling down with a nice glass of cold water does more than quench your thirst. It can also prevent skin flare-ups.

Celebrities like Beyoncé claim their beauty secret is drinking a gallon of water a day to keep skin dryness away. However, unless your body has reached dangerous levels of dehydration, drinking more than necessary might prove futile. It can damage your kidneys or result in water intoxication, a rare condition that robs your body of essential electrolytes and salts. Who knew drinking in moderation applied to H2O, too?

So how much water does your body need to achieve peak hydration? According to this dietary reference, nine cups of water for women and 13 for men is an adequate amount of fluid intake. The numbers increase when you sweat excessively from heat or physical activity. Therefore, the exact amount would depend on your lifestyle and your body’s needs on any given day.

To achieve your skin’s optimum hydration level, try a holistic approach that combines diet, a healthy lifestyle, and choosing the right products.

It might sound counterintuitive, but exfoliating your skin will remove dead skin cells and debris, allowing skincare products to work more effectively. For a gentler approach, try Dove Bar Gentle Exfoliating Beauty Bar. It combines mild cleansers with ¼ moisturizing cream to cleanse and nourish your skin as it removes dead skin cells that cause clogged pores and buildup.

Hint: you’ll find them in the produce section. Cucumbers, celery, zucchini, watermelon, strawberries, and cauliflower are good sources of water. Meanwhile, limit your alcohol and sugar intake as these dehydrate your skin and body. You might also want to think twice about making space for dessert, as it might only aggravate your acne. Substitute candy for a strawberry and watch your skin glow to get your sweet fix.

To keep your skin hydrated, make sure there’s plenty of moisture in the air. Investing in a good humidifier – especially if you use air conditioning often – will prevent your skin from drying out. It can also help alleviate itchy or flaky skin.

Moisturizing is essential to skin health. Work with your dermatologist to find one that targets your skin’s specific needs. For a boost of hydration, try using a serum under your moisturizer to lock in all that goodness. Not sure where to start? Try incorporating hyaluronic acid into your routine. It's a humectant that draws moisture into your skin, leaving you with a soft dewy glow.

Although drinking water is good for overall health, not enough studies link it to skin clarity and getting rid of acne or fine lines. Eat well, get enough rest, maintain a good skincare routine, and drink up, but don’t overdo it.