The importance of water for your skin

At this time of year the air is dry. Everything seems dry. Your face flakes off in whole pieces, your arms are ashy. But water can play a vital role to fight against this situation and to solve other skin problems as well. Consumption of a sufficient amount of water daily is important for overall good health because water helps in digestion, circulation, absorption and even excretion. But many people ask about whether drinking large amounts of water can help to ensure proper skin health? Claims have been made that drinking water gives you a radiant, healthy, younger- looking complexion, while others say it has no effect on skin's appearance whatsoever.

The fact is that skin is an organ, and just like any other part of the body your skin is made up of cells. And skin cells, like any other cell in the body, are made up of water. So the organs will certainly not function properly without water.

If your skin is not getting the sufficient amount of water, the lack of hydration will present itself by turning your skin dry, tight and flaky. Dry skin has less resilience and is more prone to wrinkling. Water may also fend off breakouts by decreasing the concentration of oil on your skin. It is critical to have a stable balance of water to oil on the surface of skin. If the skin is too heavily covered in oil relative to water, this can lead to clogged pores with acne breakouts and blemishes.

As water is lost in large quantities every day, you need to replace it somehow. The unfortunate truth about drinking water and skin is that water will reach all the other organs before it reaches the skin. So, it's important to apply water to our skin and keep it there - this will not only show a visible difference in hydration, but it can prevent wrinkles, as well. So drink more water. Drinking at least 8 glasses a day will help rid the body and skin of toxins. Everyone will not agree that water consumption will improve skin… but it certainly can't hurt. Many people often report that by increasing their water intake, their skin has a more radiant glow. Those who suffer from acne have reported the same results. Nothing will happen overnight, but even a good couple of weeks of increasing water intake should be enough for you to see how hydration affects your own skin.

 In addition to regular sunscreen usage, one of the easiest and best ways to care for your skin is keeping it clean. A regularly practiced, hygienic skin care regime is important for your overall health, along with proper moisturizing and hydration. As your skin is your first defense, the outer barrier that protects the body, its overall health definitely impacts how your body functions. The condition of your skin may also be an indicator of an undetected illness lurking within. Cleanliness is the first step for prevention and maintenance.

Benefits to your complexion derived from nighttime cleansing include minimizing pore size and preventing skin dehydration. Sleeping with makeup and dead skin cells on will seep into pores and inflame them; as we age and lose collagen, pores will not snap back to their smaller size and may stay enlarged. With regards to hydration, elevated skin temperature at night leads to increased evaporation, and moisturizer applied at night following cleansing helps to hydrate the skin at night. A morning cleanse is equally important, for as the skin is repaired and regenerated during the night, more sebum and dead skin cells are then present on skin in the morning. In both morning and nighttime regimes, water alone is never enough, as it is only able to remove up to 65% of the debris on the skin’s surface. A proper cleanser is always necessary for the first step, particularly when incorporating serums and moisturizers into the regime, allowing for the ingredients to work their full potential.

Deep cleansing properties of a facial will also improve circulation to facial skin layers, which in turn allows nutrients in the blood to maintain new skin cells. Washing your face morning and night is a simple yet critical first step towards proper skin care and age prevention. In addition to good sleep habits, proper hydration and regular sunscreen use, it can make all the difference in your facial appearance and maintenance needs.