Does drinking water help you achieve clear skin?
We asked skincare experts to explore the potential answer to this question.
Table of Contents
- Drinking more than the required eight glasses a day was not shown to not provide more benefits to skin health.
- Drinking water helps flush all the toxins we put into our body.
- The answer is yes and no!
- Proper hydration is a crucial element of skin health, period.
- Drinking water helps to detoxify and purify your skin.
- Frequently Asked Questions
Water is the main component of cells and tissues, a major element of body fluid compartments, and representing 60% of the adult body’s composition. Water is the environment in which all transport systems work and plays an important role in thermoregulation, lubrication and shock absorption.
It is a well-known fact that the skin should be well hydrated. The high-water-content will help the skin to maintain its strength and elasticity. Better hydration will also enhance the skin ability to maintain an effective barrier against bacteria, fungi, and external toxic compounds and heal faster after injuries and other skin condition like acne.
A recent study has proved that the skin in people that drink enough water is objectively better than the skin of dehydrated people.
Drinking more than the required eight glasses a day was not shown to not provide more benefits to skin health.
Drinking a lot of water by itself will not guarantee and highly hydrated skin. There is also a need to moisturize, to keep the water inside the skin.
Based on this current research, it is clear that people with acne need to drink enough water to prevent skin dehydration. They also need to moisturize their skin with a good oil-free moisturizer to keep the water in the skin.
Having said that drinking more water will not cure acne. To reduce acne, there is a need for more than drinking water. There is also a need for real right ant acne medications, customized the skin type, and acne severity.
Dr. “Juicy” Jill Stocker, D.O.
Age Management Medicine and Hormone Optimization Expert
Drinking water helps flush all the toxins we put into our body.
Acne can happen at any age, not just your teenage years! There are many reasons why acne happens, some under your control, and some a little less under your control. These are the two main culprits:
Hormonal changes. This can happen in the teenage years, with pregnancy, and then again as “adult acne”, often referred to as rosacea.
Inflammation. This comes from direct damage to the skin, such as sun damage, as well as topical products we use that can be irritating to the skin. The other highly inflammatory factor is our diet and hydration.
Drinking water by itself not only is super hydrating, but it helps flush all those toxins we put into our body through our diet or absorb through various toxic routes.
By flushing out these toxins quicker, we heal not only our skin, but we also heal our gut, which then spills into healing overall health.
The other mostly water recommendation is the highly publicized celery juice. Yes, celery juice. Simply blending a full bunch of celery, no added water, and straining it, will yield a more hydrated, youthful glow in just days!
And not only is it reducing the inflammation on your face, but in your entire body, thereby reducing your risk of so many age-related diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, depression, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and so much more!
This super resource we have has truly amazing healing potential and yet is so underutilized and under-acknowledged. So make sure when you’re headed out your door for the day you grab your BPA free water bottle (glass preferred) and set a timer to make sure you’re drinking 8 oz every hour. You’ll see, and feel results in just days, so your outer glow will soon match your inner glow!
The answer is yes and no!
There is no real direct relationship between water consumption and acne. However, our body is predominantly made up of water.
Adequate hydration is critical for helping our bodies flush away toxins and for our cells to function optimally. When we’re dehydrated, our bodies can’t process toxins as effectively, and consequently, bodily functions can go haywire! For the acne prone, dehydration can stimulate a flare-up.
Bottom line, you can’t go wrong being adequately hydrated. When we’re hydrated, our bodies function in a peak manner, which can help indirectly reduce acne.
The question itself is almost too limiting. “Acne” is such a broad term. So many people who think they have acne are actually dealing with compromised skin which behaves and reacts poorly leading to breakouts; while others dealing with true cystic acne think they have “dirty” skin and begin an aggressive topical regimen which wreaks havoc and creates more of the inflammation that leads to the painful, underground monsters.
Proper hydration is a crucial element of skin health, period.
No one will ever have glowing, supple skin long-term if their liquid consumption is limited to artificially-colored beverages, bottled water or anything of the sort. For anyone who thinks they are dealing with “acne”, whether or not that is the clinical reality, ensuring lipids, water content, lymphatic health, and liver function is crucial.
So yes. Water, real water, helps acne. Because it is the building block of all that is healthy.
Drinking water helps to detoxify and purify your skin.
Drinking water in the morning helps to move the content of the acne out of the skin because the body is in the cycle of detoxing and purifying at this time.
Helping skin with the cleaning of the accumulated waste with water during these hours of the day is very helpful to overall skin function.
Keep in mind that the reason the skin has acne is the excess accumulation of sugar and protein that cannot be digested properly in the intestinal tract and expelled instead through the skin. I suggest lowering the intake of these two types of foods to help your system to be the best it can be.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is acne?
Acne is a common skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the hair follicles on the skin become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, resulting in pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. Although it is most common during puberty, acne can affect people of any age.
How does acne form?
The formation of acne stems from the pilosebaceous unit, which consists of a hair follicle and a sebaceous gland. This gland produces sebum, an oily substance that moisturizes the skin.
When an excess amount of sebum is produced, it can mix with dead skin cells and clog the hair follicle. This would then create a plug known as a “comedone” These plugs can be either open or closed, with blackheads and whiteheads, respectively.
Infection can occur when bacteria, specifically Propionibacterium acnes, colonize the clogged follicle, leading to inflammation and the development of pimples, papules, and pustules.
Factors such as hormonal imbalances, genetic predisposition, and certain medications can also contribute to the development of acne. While stress and diet may also play a role, their exact mechanisms are yet to be fully understood.
Can drinking water have any negative effects on acne or skin health?
Drinking water by itself is unlikely to have adverse effects on acne or skin health. However, suppose you drink water that is contaminated or not properly purified. In that case, it can lead to other health problems that can indirectly affect your skin.
Also, if you drink too much water, it can lead to a condition called hyponatremia, which is characterized by low levels of sodium in the blood. This condition can lead to symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and confusion, and in severe cases, it can even be life-threatening.
How long does it take for drinking water to improve my skin health?
The effects of drinking water on skin health may vary depending on the individual and their specific circumstances. In general, however, you may see some improvements in your skin’s appearance within a few weeks of drinking more water. However, it may take longer to see significant improvements if you are dealing with a more severe or chronic skin condition.