Hydrate Your Skin from the Inside

You have probably heard that you should hydrate your skin from the inside by drinking at least 8 cups of water a day is good for your health.  What many people don’t realize, however, is that it is also important for your skin health.  There are conflicting reports of how much water is actually needed for optimum body and skin health, but the point is, you need to drink a lot of water throughout the day to stay hydrated properly.

It is easy to become dehydrated without even realizing it.  Even if you drink the recommended amount of water each day, environmental factors, hormone changes, and dietary habits can make you prone to dehydration.  Most people don’t have any symptoms for the short-term.  If they feel thirsty, they will drink a bit and then continue the behavior that is allowing them to become dehydrated.  Long-term dehydration can result in increased appearance of wrinkles, reduced skin elasticity, and an ashy dry look to the skin.  Ultimately, the result of allowing yourself to dehydrate is looking older sooner.  So, drink that water and keep your skin young

Here are some simple rules you can follow to make sure you drink enough water:

  • Drink at least 2 cups of water with every meal and snack
  • Carry a reusable water bottle with you at all times
  • Keep a water bottle at your desk
  • Drink before, during, and after exercise
  • Drink a full glass of water when you feel hungry (you may actually be thirsty!)
  • Drink green tea, which contains catechins and antioxidants, as well as water