Oftentimes, we do not value what is within our grasp and which is essential to our survival. Like water, this transparent gold. Water is the quintessential moisturizer and therefore the health of our skin depends on it.
Why is water so important for our skin?
Water represents more than 30% of our skin, its contribution is therefore essential to maintain its turgor and elasticity, according to the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. Dehydrated skin is less elastic, meaning it takes longer to return to its place when stretched.
The body mainly loses water through the kidneys, in the form of urine, and through the pores of the skin, in the form of sweat. An adequate supply of water to our body prevents the skin from becoming dehydrated. Without this daily dose, the skin is unable to fulfill its natural barrier function and loses its softness. Outside, the water cleanses us, calms us and refreshes us. In addition, in order for the skin to capture the virtues of water, both inside and outside, we must drink the sufficient quantity and we must apply moisturizing formulas that penetrate inside the cells. By following these two basic tips, our skin will appear healthy and alive.
How many glasses of water should we drink daily?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends drinking between 2 and 3 liters of water per day, or 10 to 15 glasses (one glass is equivalent to 200 ml of water). Of this amount, 20-30% come from solid foods and 78-80% enter the body through direct ingestion of water, according to data from the Water and Health Research Institute.
However, the adequate amount of water is not the same throughout life, it increases with age, and it varies with diet, environmental conditions, level of physical activity, among other factors. As we get older, we are more likely to become dehydrated, so we need to drink more water.
Water helps your skin maintain moisture, which increases your elasticity. The signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles therefore cannot manifest themselves easily. You can forgo all anti-aging skin treatments, which are also costly in time and money. Instead, you can rely on water to delay the onset of signs of aging. Hydrating the skin by consuming sufficient amounts of water helps keep skin soft and supple and improves complexion.
If you have problematic skin, maintaining a balanced pH is the key to keeping your skin blemish-free and glowing. The skin’s pH level refers to its degree of acidity or alkalinity, on a scale of 1 to 14, with 1 being the most acidic and 14 being the most alkaline. The optimum pH level should be 5.5. More water in your skin care regimen can help balance your pH level for this purpose.
While drinking plenty of water throughout the day is a solution, it is recommended that you use cosmetics formulated with water. Different types of water are used to make cosmetics, such as the Spring Water, Black Sea Water, Evian Spring Water, and many others.
Why does the skin need hydration to be beautiful?
Our skin is made up of different layers, the most superficial of which is the epidermis. What is important to know is that on the surface of this epidermis there is a layer composed of dead cells linked together by a hydrolipidic film made of water (perspiration) and fatty (the famous sebum). And it is precisely this thin layer that protects us from external aggressions (bacteria, wind, cold, pollution, etc.) and maintains the level of hydration of our skin by preventing water from evaporating more than necessary.
Wind, cold and dry air, heating in winter, sun in summer, showers that are too hot and baths, stripping soaps, each of these factors contribute to altering the hydrolipidic film that protects our skin. The latter, deprived of her waterproof coat, let us too much water escape and becomes uncomfortable, irritable, and rough. In addition, that is where moisturizers come in to give the skin back what it lacks to be beautiful and healthy.