Does Drinking Water Really Hydrate Your Skin?

By Trisha Chawla 

 
You’ve binge watched enough celebrity interviews that have convinced you to believe that drinking eight glasses of water is the gospel truth to achieve hydrated, glowing skin. You’ve downloaded an app tracker that reminds you to chug down the H20 on the hour too.  Don’t worry, we’re guilty as charged. But is drinking water doing enough to help you reach your #SkinGoals on its own? We investigate the truth with dermatologist Dr Harshna Bijlani.

The good & bad news  
Drinking water has a ton of health benefits–it helps in the functioning of your organs and prevents them from getting dehydrated. Bijlani says, “You should consume 2-3 litres of water for your body to function optimally. As soon as you drink it, the cells in your body absorb it and transport it to your essential organs and skin.”

 
“Excess water, however, is flushed out by your kidneys because your skin cannot absorb it,” she adds. So those frequent trips to the water cooler in the hopes of achieving clearer skin might be in vain. “Both internal and external aggressors like weather, pollution, alcohol, smoking and an unhealthy diet could still be sapping it of hydration,” says Bijlani.  And this cannot be countered solely by water. Water will only make a difference and restore hydration levels if you’re drinking less than the body’s basic requirement. You can tell this happening if your skin is dull, itchy, sensitive or if you see signs of pigmentation and premature ageing. 
 
So how do you keep your skin hydrated? 
Bijlani strongly suggests you supplement your water intake with a hefty hit of topical hydration through creams. Bijlani recommends you include the following ingredients in your skincare routine: