Does drinking water make your skin glow? Here's how to improve your skin turgor

Benefits of drinking water: Proper hydration helps in maintaining your skin's natural moisture balance, preventing dryness and flakiness

Although there isn't enough research to conclusively state that drinking water directly benefits the skin, multiple studies indicate that the skin plays an important role in regulating the body's hydration levels and prevents excessive water loss to the environment. Beyond its cosmetic attraction, your skin serves as a vital guardian of your body's hydration. The outermost layer - the stratum corneum - acts as a waterproof shield, preserving your body's precious moisture. The water within your skin gives it a soft, elastic, and robust characteristic.

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However, when your body yearns for more hydration, your skin turgor — a telltale sign — often diminishes.

Signs of dehydrated skin

Dehydrated skin displays unmistakable signs, including a coarse texture, loss of smoothness, irritation, inflammation, and even visible lines and fissures, occasionally leading to minor bleeding in severe cases.

Triggers of dehydration

Several factors contribute to skin dehydration, these include:

The tobacco effect: Smoking's drying effects reduce blood flow to the skin, disrupting its moisture balance beyond the surface.

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Illness and fluid balance: Falling ill can lead to unexpected dehydration, with specific illnesses disturbing the body's water balance. Fever, for example, increases fluid loss.

Sun's hidden hazard: Excessive sun exposure can lead to heat-related illnesses, causing dehydration and affecting skin health, resulting in insensible water loss through sweat.

Salt, the seductive sodium: High sodium intake can lead to hypertension and kidney issues, impacting overall fluid balance, including skin hydration.

Effects of medical challenges: Conditions like diabetes and thyroid disorders can disrupt moisture retention mechanisms, requiring diligent skin hydration management.

Hydration from within: An easy treatment within your reach for parched skin is water. Increasing daily water intake, especially if neglected, enhances skin thickness and density while curbing transepidermal water loss, leaving your skin supple and revitalised. However, remember that balanced diet, good sleep, sun protection, skincare, and stress management also play important roles in maintaining radiant skin.

Here's how staying hydrated can help you achieve glowing skin:

Boosts skin health: Proper hydration helps in maintaining your skin's natural moisture balance, preventing dryness and flakiness.

Detoxifies skin: Water plays a key role in detoxifying your body, resulting in clearer and more radiant skin.

Reduces blemishes and breakouts: A well-hydrated skin is less prone to acne and breakouts due to reduced oil production.

Improves skin elasticity: Hydration maintains skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Enhances blood circulation: Adequate hydration supports proper blood circulation, ensuring essential nutrients reach your skin cells, giving your skin a healthy glow.