It is very easy to get lost in all of the product choices for skin care these days. However, it is important to remember one very critical element…water. Yes, plain old water. Will it create beautiful skin on its own? No. But, can it affect the overall health of your skin if you not getting enough water on a daily basis? Absolutely!
As many of you already know, the daily-recommended rate of consumption of water is eight glasses per day. Keep in mind, one does not have to drink eight physical glasses of water to meet this number. There is water in various things that you eat as well as, obviously, items you drink.
However, you should also know that certain items that contain water are not necessarily counting towards your daily water consumption. For instance, caffeine is a natural diuretic. So, if you are drinking eight cups of coffee a day, you are consuming liquid, but you are also naturally dehydrating your body. The same can be said for tea and soft drinks that contain caffeine.
By consuming the proper amount of water needed every day, you can prevent some natural signs of dehydration, such as flaccid and wrinkled skin.
Some “basic” benefits of water are:
- Dehydration can lead to fatigue, therefore, hydrating properly can increase your daily energy levels
- Proper hydration helps keep your metabolism regulated, allowing you to maintain a constant body weight
- Water provides natural hydration for your skin, giving it a better overall appearance
In addition to “internal” hydration, water can be used to externally hydrate your skin too. If you suffer from flaky, dry skin, the outer layers of skin are suffering and need to be hydrated. You can use moisturizers in conjunction with water to keep your skin hydrated. By applying a moisturizer immediately after a shower, prior to drying yourself off, you are in essence “trapping” this water in your skin, hydrating it externally. Look for moisturizers that have ingredients such as glycerin that can bind with water and “trap” it.
If do not like drinking plain water, change it! If you do not like drinking water because you do not like “tap” water, consider a filtration device or bottled water. In addition, online sites like the Food Network offer a wide variety of recipes to naturally infuse water with various flavors. Now, in addition to consuming the proper amount of water every day, you are also enjoying the nutritional benefits of any fruits and/or vegetables you are using to flavor your water.