Does Drinking More Water Improve Your Skin?
From the practice
We’re all looking for the latest miracle cure for our skin, right? We want a magical fix that will clear away blemishes, banish our wrinkles, and give us that healthy glow.
Look for these miracle cures long enough, and you’ll find the claim that drinking more water is enough to improve your skin on its own.
It sounds great. What could be easier (and cheaper!) than drinking water?
But does keeping up with your daily water needs actually benefit your skin?
Our team at Skin Med Spa, led by board-certified practitioners Barbara Kowalczyk and Michael Fressola, sees patients with varying levels of hydration all day long, and here’s our answer: yes and no.
Read on to find out more!
How does water help our body and skin?
Water is essential for normal body functions, including temperature regulation and moving nutrients through the body. We lose fluid through breathing, sweating, and going to the bathroom, and replace it through drinks and food. Needs vary with activity, weather, and health; eight glasses is not a universal prescription.
Drinking extra water has not been established as a way to tighten skin or remove wrinkles. A systematic review of water intake and skin hydration found limited, generally weak evidence, with small hydration changes reported particularly in people who previously drank less. That does not establish a treatment for sagging skin.
Persistent under-eye puffiness should not be assumed to mean you need more water. Hydration is one part of overall health, and drinking more is not a dependable treatment for every skin concern.
What can help besides water?
Water is not a treatment for acne or a substitute for a routine suited to your skin. If you already meet your fluid needs, adding more water is not a proven way to clear blemishes or erase wrinkles.
Follow your clinician’s advice if you have a condition that requires you to limit fluids. You do not need to force extra water solely to change your skin’s appearance.
Moisturizer helps reduce water loss from the skin. Apply a fragrance-free moisturizer after washing while the skin is still damp, and choose products suited to your skin type. Gentle cleansing and daily sun protection also belong in a consistent skin care routine.
If you’re dealing with skin issues and would like professional guidance, our team at Skin Med Spa is happy to help. To make an appointment, call our office at 630-541-8413, or use our online scheduler today!
Our team sees patients at Skin Med Spa, 960 Warren Ave. in Downers Grove, Illinois. Every plan starts with a consultation. Call 630-541-8413 to schedule one.
This is general information, not medical advice. Whether a treatment is right for you is determined by a licensed provider after an evaluation.