When it comes to our skin, most of us will try anything to turn back time. There are tons of creams and serums on the market that claim to do just that. They don’t come cheap, however, there’s one alternative that’s powerful, simple, cost-effective and easy. No, it’s not an extract from a far off land that costs $200 an ounce. The Fountain of Youth is within your reach and it’s been there all along.
It’s water. Good old H20. We know we’re supposed to drink a certain amount every day, but do we know why? Let’s explore how this magical liquid can help keep your skin hydrated and looking young.
What’s the Recipe for Youthful Skin Success?
If you picture a body of water that has dried up, what’s left? A dry and cracked surface that just looks lifeless. Now imagine your skin as that same surface. When it’s not moisturized and hydrated, it appears tight, dull, flaky and dry. Wrinkles appear and just like that body of water, the glisten is gone.
Water is a large part of keeping healthy on the inside and out, however, according to Byrdie.com, there are other ingredients to the supple and glowing skin recipe.
- Good overall nutrition
- Exercise
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Not smoking
- Getting a minimum of seven hours’ sleep per night
- Eliminating or at least significantly limiting processed foods and sugar
- Having a great skincare regimen
What’s Coming out of Your Faucet and Why Does It Matter?
If you’re washing your face with tap water, you may want to re-think that routine. Since you really don’t know what’s in your tap water, filtered water is best.
When water is hard, it contains more minerals and while hard water poses no health risks, it can wreak havoc on plumbing, household items and you guessed it, even your skin and hair. You may have noticed breakouts, dryness or irritation on your skin, which is due to hard water stripping away your skin’s natural oils. If you have dermatitis, eczema or psoriasis, the contaminants in hard water can cause flare-ups or make flare-ups worse.
When you bathe with hard water, a layer of soap scum is actually left behind. Yuck! There are a lot of great lotions you can buy to help moisturize your skin that has been stripped from hard water, however they really only help for a few hours. Why? Lotion can’t reach your deeper layers of skin because of the soap scum left behind by hard water. Luckily, eliminating hard water in your house is an easy fix with the right water filtration and softener systems. Your skin will thank you.
What the Experts Are Saying…and Do We Care?
While there’s no scientific evidence that good old H20 has an impact on your skin (surprising, but true) we can’t deny that skin is an organ that’s made up of cells. Skin cells are made up of water. Without water, the organs, your skin, will not function at its best. Just sayin’.
BBC states that “Such studies on water and impact on skin are rare, partly because water can’t be patented, so it is hard to find anyone to fund such research when there will be no new medication or cosmetic to sell that could repay the costs.”
Despite the lack of scientific evidence, many women, including celebrities, swear by water to keep them looking youthful and fresh. According to PopSugar.com, “Drinking water is one of the best things you can do to keep your skin looking young and glowing all year long. Proper hydration makes every system work better including your skin. Drinking water ensures that nutrients are delivered to cells keeping them hydrated and plump – and plump cells can help your skin look firmer”.
The fact is that when your body is dehydrated, your epidermis shows premature wrinkling and looks dull. Your lips become dry, dark circles appear under your eyes and your skin loses elasticity. Therefore, when hydrated with water, your skin comes to life. Most recommend eight 8-ounce glasses a day which helps your digestive system flush out toxins from the body.
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There is no doubt that water is essential and beneficial for our bodies. Water is the foundation of life. When you have access to the cleanest water from your tap, you can truly be healthy from the inside and your glowing skin will reflect that.
