We hear it every day. Drink lots of water! Water hydrates the body, especially in the heat of the Texas summer. Does all the water drinking really make a difference in your skin health?
It is well established that drinking water is good for your overall health. However, research has not found a direct correlation to water and your skin. According to Mayo Clinic “although proper hydration is important for your overall health, it's not clear whether drinking extra water affects skin hydration in healthy people.”
Your skin is made up of three layers – 1. The epidermis (outer layer); 2. The dermis (underlying layer); 3. Subcutaneous tissue (mostly fat). If your outer layer does not contain enough water, your skin will lose elasticity and feel rough. So, what steps can we take to maintain a healthy outer layer? Here are some suggestions that are easy to implement into your everyday life.
- Avoid prolonged contact with hot water. Hot water can actually dry out your skin by removing oil and moisture from your skin. While that super-hot, long shower feels great, warm shorter showers are better for your skin.
- Use a gentle cleanser. Gentle cleansers are hydrating, they clear away impurities and contain fewer harsh chemicals.
- Avoid using skin care products that contain alcohol, retinoids or alpha hydroxy acid. These products can have a drying effect on the skin. While retinoids are good for your skin health by promoting skin cell turnover, they should be used with caution and in conjunction with good moisturizing products.
- Moisturize immediately after washing. Moisturizers trap moisture in your skin and restore moisture to the outer layer. Good medical grade moisturizers are your skin’s second-best friend. SPF is its first!
- Apply SPF. Your skin’s best friend! Using SPF to protect your skin from the suns rays is your number one defense for a healthy epidermis.
Taking care of your body by incorporating intake of H2O is important. Water is about 50%-70% of our body weight. Intake of fluids to replenish what we use daily is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Again, according to Mayo Clinic, we should consume between 11-15 cups of fluid a day. But don’t forget exercises, eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of sleep are all ways to help take care of your body. Take good care of your skin health by using warm water to wash, cleansers designed for your skin type, applying moisturizers and most importantly wearing SPF!
