Does drinking more water make a real difference to our skin?
Water is life - or better said, water is necessary for life. 60-75% of our body is made up of water. A loss of just 4% of total body water leads to dehydration, and a loss of 15% can be fatal. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day is key to good health. Basic biology knowledge, which I bet we all know.
But, I also bet we are all aware of those who swear by the healing power of drinking plenty of water when it comes to brightening up dull skin, improving its texture, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, minimising pore size and clearing acne. But is any of it true?
35 ml of water per kilogram of body weight
If you’re not drinking enough water each day, it’s gonna be reflected in the quality of your skin, as skin hydration is a reflection of your total body hydration. That is to say, if you aren't maintaining proper hydration levels, drinking more water will help your skin’s overall tone.
(*The recommendation of 35 ml per kg of body weight is for an average adult human. A person's actual water requirements depend on many factors, such as the fluid content of the foods consumed, pregnancy, breastfeeding, activity level, high altitude, ambient temperature and medical conditions.)
However, water alone can't be the cure for relieving dry, ageing skin, clearing breakouts and beating acne. One's skin health depends on a variety of factors. Genetics, UV exposure, hormonal imbalances, lifestyle habits like diet, smoking and alcohol consumption, medications and environmental pollution - all play their part in the skin’s texture and appearance. Drinking more water isn’t enough to counterbalance all of these issues.
So, perking up your skin comes down to multi-factors. It should be no surprise that diet and lifestyle changes really do affect the overall health of your skin.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water to keep yourself and your skin hydrated, but stay away from sugary drinks. Avoid drinks like soda which can make your skin more susceptible to acne breakouts by causing excess oil production. The same goes for alcohol, that dehydrates your skin and makes your face look bloated and puffy.
Eat a Healthy Diet
A healthy plant-based diet will have a positive impact on your skin. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Keep your diet low in unhealthy fats, and processed or refined carbohydrates and avoid dairy (there is a strong connection between dairy and acne).
Don't Smoke
Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your health, as it does irreversible damage to your body. But smoking is also awful for your skin, as it causes premature skin ageing, delayed wound healing, and increased infections. The oxidative stress produced by the smoke results in fine wrinkles, sagging, texture changes, and discolouration.
Smoke induces collagen and elastin breakdown. Those two fibres are the ones that give your skin strength and elasticity. Smoking also narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This means less oxygen and fewer nutrients delivered to the cells, leading to slower cell turnover and damaged skin cells.
Beauty Sleep Is Not a Fairy Tale
Sleep deprivation and bad sleep quality damages your skin and your overall health. If you’ve been feeling exhausted or have trouble concentrating, it's time to look at your sleep schedule. Make adjustments so you can get more and/or better sleep, by turning off electronics an hour before bedtime and by making sure your room is dark and quiet when you go to bed.
Cleanse, Moisturise and Protect
Having a skincare routine is very important, whether it's 3 or 13 steps. Cleansing, moisturising and UV protection are the basic steps. You can then customise the rest of your routine based on your skin's specific needs.
But before that, you have to identify and understand your skin type and needs. If you’re unaware or misinformed, you could compromise your skin’s natural balance and trigger irritation, inflammation, breakouts, and even premature ageing by using the wrong products.
Get Monthly Facials
A Pro-grade monthly Facial provides a supercharged treatment to combat your skin concerns, helps heal any damage done to your skin, and reduces anxiety. The suggested cadence of a monthly facial isn’t random - it is based on the science of your skin. Your skin cells renew themselves every 28 days. So, by the time you stop in for your next appointment, there is a new layer of skin to work with.
That said, having your very own skincare professional is very important. Your licensed esthetician is the most appropriate person to get you glowing and help you learn how to take care of your skin and select skincare products that are right for you.
Questions?
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