Does Drinking Water Actually Hydrate Your Skin?
OK now let’s go back to the water myth *screams internally* because there’s just no scientific proof or research to date that can adequately measure the effect of water intake on skin hydration.
AND I will die on this hill because the truth is, when you drink water, the skin on your face is probably the last place it’ll go. In other words, drinking water doesn't magically = healthy, hydrated skin. It just doesn't work that way, regardless of what you've read in a celebrity interview.
Water Benefits for Skin - Are There Any?
However, that’s not to say we need to dismiss drinking water altogether. Water is still THE best beauty elixir your body will ever need, plus it's free! Water will help your body get rid of waste materials, and consuming enough water every day will help with your hydration levels, which in turn, can positively affect your skin health.
Hang on, I thought you said drinking water can't hydrate the skin on your face?
It can't, but when you drink water, it’s absorbed by the intestines and circulated throughout the body in the form of bodily fluids, including your blood. The more blood carrying water, oxygen and nutrients flowing around your body delivering good things to your cells, the better. And at a cellular level, these nutrients are needed for healthy skin.
Am I making sense yet? So, drinking enough water is excellent for your overall health and wellbeing, but it can't replace a good skincare routine.
The Best Products for Dry and Dehydrated Skin.
So, now we know drinking a million litres of water a la supermodels (and having to pee every five minutes) won't actually hydrate your skin, what can?
Ensuring you’re using the right moisturiser is the number one way to help hydrate dry/dehydrated skin.
Look for hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, ceramides, hyaluronic acid and omega fatty acids. These ingredients help to protect you from the environment while simultaneously working on increasing the water-holding capacity of your skin to keep it looking healthy and youthful.
Here are my two favourite products for plump, hydrated skin.
1. The Best Hydrating Serum.
What: Aspect Hydrating Serum
Why it's so good:
This is such a good daily hydrating face serum. It contains high levels of hyaluronic acid, can be used AM or PM, combines well with everything and, most importantly, it absorbs well into the skin. This means it isn’t tacky and works well with makeup applied over the top.
The formula contains multiple weights of hyaluronic acid that can attract and bind to water molecules in the different layers of your skin. But while the serum is very hydrating on its own, if you are very dry or severely dehydrated, then I’d follow with a heavy moisturiser and/or an oil over the top.
