Ways that Water Helps Your Skin

Because our bodies are made up of more than 75% of water it is important to keep them quenched, both on the inside and on the outside. Water cleansing the system, it cleans the skin and it helps keep us hydrated. Hydration is important for the inside of the body and the outside of the body, where on the inside it keeps our organs functioning properly and on the outside it keeps us clean and keeps our skin healthy.

When we drink water it replenishes any of the water that we have lost through sweating and urination. It is a must that we do replenish this water, it keeps the brain functioning properly, it keeps the blood flowing through the body properly and it even helps keep our skin from getting all dry and scratchy. Dry and scratchy skin can be worse during cold months when the air is drying and sucks out more of our skin moisture and natural oils. Eight 8 ounce glasses a day of water is what is usually recommend by people in the health care industry, for daily water intake.

Drinking just plain water is not the only way to get water into the system though. If plain old water is starting to bore you try some coffee (without the sugar and creamer) or some tea. Both of these count towards water intake. There are also drink mixes, like Crystal Lite, that can be blended with water for flavor. Some vegetables are great sources of water too, like lettuce and celery. This makes it seem a little bit easier to get the recommended daily amount of water that we humans need to stay healthy.

Ways that water helps from the outside is to clean the skin, mainly, but some of this water can be absorbed too. Clean skin means healthy skin. Use warm water for washing, never too hot which can be harsh on the skin, making red blotches that can be tender to the touch. Use mild soaps and cleansers to avoid abrasions to the skin. After an extra warm shower the water that is left on the skin can aid in deep moisturization if you put lotion or oil on while still wet. In other words, put your lotion on before you dry off. Your warm skin and the water that is still there will help your skin better absorb the healthy lotion or oil that you used. It will absorb it slower, meaning that your skin will benefit longer from it.

Sometimes we take water for granted. But with all that it can do for your body it is time to conserve water and use it in more beneficial ways for your body. Enjoy a cold glass of water today, for your skin and your health!

References:
Williams' Essential of Nutrition & Diet Therapy by Eleanor Schlenker
Nutrition: The Science of Eating by Frances Sizer