Does Drinking Water Actually Give You Clear, Hydrated Skin?

The number-one celeb beauty secret is not so much a secret, as it is a cliche: "I just drink eight glasses of water a day!" Whether the platitude makes you roll your eyes or run to refill your water bottle, the question on all of our minds is the same: Can drinking water actually hydrate dry skin and fix a multitude of internal and external health problems?

To determine whether drinking water can impact dry, congested skin, we turned to the pros: Caroline Cederquist, Joshua Zeichner, and Margarita Lolis. Keep reading to see what they have to say.

Does Drinking Water Hydrate Skin?

Unfortunately, staying well-hydrated by drinking water doesn't equate to hydrated, dewy skin. "While everyone says drinking water is important for overall health and doctors across the board recommend more water and less caffeinated or sugar-packed beverages, there's a lack of research proving water consumption impacts skin hydration or overall appearance in people who are healthy," says Lolis.

The issue is the actual physics behind how water flows throughout our systems; drinking water is necessary for our bodies to run optimally, and to help nutrients reach the skin through proper blood flow, but not necessarily the be-all and end-all we need for dewy skin. "The truth is that when you drink water, it doesn't automatically go to the skin—it hydrates cells once absorbed into the bloodstream and filtered by the kidneys," Lolis explains. "So, at the cellular level, drinking water is great as it flushes the system and hydrates our bodies overall."

The Benefits of Drinking Water for Dehydrated Skin

Zeichner agrees that there isn't enough research to support the idea that drinking water will make a huge difference in the skin's appearance, but he says there are still plenty of benefits. "It's a myth that drinking water will help keep your skin hydrated," he says. "There's no data to support the idea that drinking a glass of water helps hydrate the skin. On the other hand, there's no data to show that drinking fewer than eight glasses of water per day is harmful. The only caveat is that if you are severely dehydrated, it will take a toll on your skin." Research shows that skin might lose some of its elasticity or take on a "tenting" effect, but only in extreme cases of dehydration. Skin-adjacent benefits include:

• Brighter, plumper complexion: According to Lolis, consistent water intake may reduce the appearance of wrinkles, dryness, and irritation.
• Reduction in dark circles: Lolis explains that increasing water consumption can help flush out stagnant fluid in capillaries that cause the look of darkness around the eyes.

Dry vs. Dehydrated Skin

Another factor to consider is if your skin is actually dehydrated or simply dry. What's the difference? When the skin is dehydrated it means that it, and likely the rest of your body, is parched for water. It will typically look dull and feel tight. Drinking water aside, skin dehydration can also be caused by a lack of external moisture either due to improper skincare, dry climates, or taking hot showers. Dry skin, on the other hand, is a skin type, much like oily skin. In contrast, it is characterized by minimal oil production in the skin—not water—and, unlike dehydrated skin, is not a temporary skin condition.

How Much Water to Drink

A simple way to calculate how much water you need is to divide your weight in half and drink that amount in ounces. In other words, if you weigh 140 pounds, you’ll want to drink around 70 ounces of water each day. 

If you're averse to drinking water, know that you can also hydrate via water-rich foods. According to the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, the recommendation is 125 ounces for men and 91 ounces for women. "However, these numbers are referring to the overall fluid intake per day and include anything you ingest containing water, such as fruits and vegetables," adds Lolis. She also suggests infusing a water bottle with fruits (we're partial to lemon water) or veggies for homemade spa water or adding a shot glass of juice to a 10-ounce water bottle for a hint of flavor that will contain significantly less sugar than drinking that juice alone.

Internal vs. External Hydration

Drinking water may get all the hype (and is an important cornerstone of health), but Zeichner says hydration is best fed to the skin on the surface. "In terms of hydration, topical moisturizers can be much more effective than drinking water," he explains. "Moisturizers contain three types of ingredients that work together to help the skin. Occlusive, such as white petrolatum, form a protective seal over the skin; humectants, such as glycerin, act as a sponge to pull in hydration to the outer skin layers; and emollients, such as natural oils, smooth the rough edges between cells in the outer layer." In other words, a proper moisturizer (or overall routine) will have all three components to help bring in water and keep it locked in.

How to Hydrate Skin

Rather than relying heavily on water to boost the complexion, Lolis recommends that those with dry skin exert their efforts topically and atmospherically, incorporating the following habits into a routine regularly to keep skin hydrated:

• Use a gentle cleanser as opposed to soap.
• Steer clear of skincare products that contain alcohol.
• Avoid exposure to dry air, perhaps using a humidifier.
• Avoid long, hot showers or washing dishes without gloves, limiting exposure to heavily chlorinated water.
• Apply a body cream after a shower or a hand cream after washing hands.
• Incorporate hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine and apply it to damp skin for maximum hydrating benefits.

In addition to the tips listed above, dry skin can reap a lot of rewards from products that help "lock in" moisture. While moisturizer alone can certainly help, serums can help amp up the hydrating qualities, especially when applied to damp skin. Others swear by slugging, in which layers of moisturizing products are sealed in with a top layer of Vaseline. Some find that it helps protect the skin barrier, though others may find the product a bit too occlusive.

How to Improve Skin's Appearance

For Lolis, in addition to what you eat, glowing skin is attributed to a multitude of factors: "When it comes to skin looking supple and glowing, things like good overall nutrition, exercise, limiting alcohol consumption, not smoking, getting a minimum of seven hours of sleep per night, eliminating or at least significantly limiting processed foods and sugars, plus having a great skincare regimen are key factors."

Cederquist also suggests avoiding processed foods and foods high in saturated fat. "I also suggest getting a nice water bottle and making it a habit of bringing it with you everywhere," she adds.

Speaking of diet, Zeichner is a proponent of digesting healthy eats for glowing skin. "A well-balanced diet full of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids helps provide the necessary building blocks for healthy skin cell function," he explains.

The Final Takeaway

While there may not be a direct link between drinking and hydrating dry skin (water will head straight for all the body's other essential organs first, according to Lolis), our experts agree that maintaining optimal hydration is important for the body's overall health and keeps everything functioning properly. When you're not getting enough water, your skin is likely to show it—and not in a good way. According to Zeichner, the best (and proven) way to keep your skin hydrated is through a little topical and environmental TLC—but drinking an extra glass or two of water won't hurt.