It’s no secret that dehydration can have a major impact on the body, and from energy levels to digestion there are a number of areas that can experience decline if you aren’t drinking enough water. But while your insides certainly take a hit from inadequate water intake, your skin may also reflect dehydration in a number of unexpected ways that can have a lasting impact on your appearance, particularly if you’re chronically dehydrated.
We spoke with board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Marisa Garshick who gave a comprehensive rundown on the full scale impact that dehydration can have on the skin, so grab a glass of water and keep reading.
How does the skin reflect dehydration?
When your body is dehydrated it means that there is a significant lack of water to upkeep important functions. It’s often said that drinking enough water can help to keep your complexion moisturized as well, so it stands to reason that not staying hydrated may then reflect in the quality and texture of your skin. “Dehydrated skin may appear dull and result in a more noticeable appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles as a result of the lack of moisture that can otherwise help to plump the skin,” explains Garshick.
As you age, your skin naturally begins to lose some of the elasticity and moisture that can plump fine lines, so it becomes increasingly important to drink enough water to keep your skin glowing and hydrated while reducing the visibility of wrinkles. “To see if your skin is dehydrated, it can sometimes help to pinch a small portion of your cheek and if the skin doesn’t bounce back quickly or wrinkles easily, it may be dehydrated,” suggests Garshick. “Additionally, if the skin feels tight it can also be a sign of dehydration.”
While external hydration and applying a strong moisturizer can help to nourish the skin from the outside, taking care of your body from the inside and drinking enough water will ultimately be the most effective combination to preserving your appearance and not allowing fine lines to deepen prematurely. Drinking water alone will not be enough to cure dry skin texture, so downing a gallon a day is not necessary to stop flaking during the winter months; in these cases, external skin care will be valuable.
So how much water should you realistically be drinking to maintain healthy function of your body and preserve a glowing and youthful complexion? “It is best to drink enough so you don’t feel dehydrated, and while the typical recommendation for 8 glasses of water a day won’t hurt your skin, there is not enough evidence to suggest it should be used as the only way to improve your skin health,” notes Garshick.
With ample hydration and a moisturizing skincare routine together your complexion will reflect the best results in keeping fine lines and wrinkles at bay and maintaining a natural glow. “You can hydrate the skin by looking for humectants, which are ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, that help to draw moisture into the skin,” adds Garshick. Not only should you be drinking enough water for your overall health, but your skin will reflect adequate hydration as well by looking younger and brighter in tandem with a solid skincare routine.
