Exploring the Most Powerful Skincare Ingredient Since the Dawn of Time: Water

In the pursuit of perfect skin, we spend $$$, we use stone rollers, ice massages, and all sorts of rituals, yet we often skip right over one simple, not-so-sexy skincare miracle: water.

Yep, I’m talking about good ‘ol fashioned H2O. It’s not just about quenching thirst, it’s about keeping the body hydrated as a natural preventative for common skin concerns like puffing and pimples. In this post, we’re skipping the fancy creams and taking it back to the basics with our cup in hand.

Get ready to sip your way to better skin as we explore water as a skincare miracle:

What is Water… Like Really?

You know I’m not one to get super technical. But, really, what is water, and why is it so important for your skin?

According to the American Museum of Natural History, “Water is the liquid that makes life on Earth possible.” I love this definition because it speaks to how water is so much more than a mandatory drink – it’s a life-giving force that unites us as humans.

How Much Water Do You Need?

This may shock you: Men need about 3.7 liters of water daily, while women require about 2.7 liters.

These are averages and will change depending on your weight, lifestyle, and doctor’s recommendations (of which I most certainly am not, in case you needed a reminder).

7 Things Water Does For Your Skin

Water helps you from the inside out, playing an important role in digestion, circulation, and filtration, but I’m here to tell you it’s also vital for your skin. Vital, I tell you!

But that means that staying hydrated is literally one of the easiest beauty treatments out there. Now, I’m not saying you should stop cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing just because you’re packing on the H2O. It’s more like water is the cherry on top.
It’s more like water is the foundation on which the rest of your skincare success is built.

Here are the top 7 skin benefits that happen when you’re hydrated:

Evens Skin Tone

Water in, toxins out. Drinking enough water helps your body eliminate toxins and increase blood circulation.

Slow Down The Clock

Saggy skin is nobody’s goal. Increasing hydration levels helps your skin up its elasticity. Water also helps stretch your moisturizer, keeping your skin hydrated for longer. These factors slow down the sagging and fine lines that creep in with age.

Gain Healing Super Powers… Kinda

Drinking water helps speed up the healing process for mildly awful things like sunburns and headaches. It’s not an instant fix (always wear sunscreen, I repeat, always wear sunscreen), but staying hydrated is the key to prevention.

Wave Goodbye To Puffiness

Fun fact: if your face looks puffy, that means it’s basically retaining water to keep you from dehydrating. A solid glass of water can actually reduce puffiness!

Fight Acne

This is a big one! Adult acne is a thing… actually, it’s becoming more and more common these days, thanks to our big city livin’ air pollution and lack of hydration.

Keeping yourself hydrated helps balance the natural water and oil found on your face, preventing the buildup of excess oil, which means fewer clogged pores and blemishes.

Stop The Itch

If you have dry skin, then you already know it can itch, crack, and flake when not properly moisturized. Stop the itch before it starts with your new skincare bestie, water.

Feel It In Your Gut

You need the right amount of water to support a healthy gut biome and maintain proper digestion. Water helps regulate your gut bacteria, which helps your skin stay clear.

How To Drink Water When You Don’t Like Drinking Water

As a skincare expert, I’ve run into plenty of people who just don’t like water. It’s way more common than you might think! Even if you do find yourself a fan of the H2O, you can use the 3 foods listed below to add a little razzle-dazzle:

Mint

Mint is a well-known digestive aid. Boil a few organic mint leaves in water, and drink the leftover water after it cools. You can also throw in a few mint leaves to make your cold glass of water extra refreshing.

Lemon

Lemon and water go together like peanut butter and jelly but for your skin. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over your cold or hot water to boost collagen and flavor.

Ginger

When ‘superfoods’ were buzzing, ginger was all the rage for its many health benefits. Adding ginger to your water or tea can help ease digestion and fight inflammation, keeping your glow going.

Keep It Flowing

Feeling thirsty for more? Read some of my other posts about natural skincare, or drop a comment below.