Hydrated skin: Does drinking water help?

Date Updated: 11/21/2020

Answer Section

Although proper hydration is important for your overall health, it's not clear whether drinking extra water affects skin hydration in healthy people.

Skin is made up of three layers — the outer layer (epidermis), the underlying skin (dermis) and the subcutaneous tissue. If the outermost layer of the epidermis doesn't contain enough water, skin will lose elasticity and feel rough. Despite this connection, however, there's a lack of research showing that drinking extra water has any impact on skin hydration or appearance.

If you're looking to maintain hydrated skin, there are steps you can take:

Avoid prolonged contact with hot water.
Use a gentle cleanser.
Avoid using deodorant soap and skin care products that contain alcohol, fragrance, retinoids or alpha hydroxy acid.
Moisturize immediately after taking a bath or shower or washing your hands.
Use a humidifier.
Wear gloves when going out in cold weather.

If you're concerned about dry skin, talk to your doctor or a dermatologist.