Drink two liters of water a day for Perfect Skin: Myth or Reality?

You've probably already heard that you need to drink at least 2 liters of water a day to keep your skin healthy and hydrated. But is this recommendation really based on sound science? We decided to go a step further by exploring various scientific studies to unravel the truth from the false. Discover the intriguing results of our investigation in this article!

The reality behind internal hydration

Many claim that drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water a day has a direct beneficial impact on skin health. However, science seems to have a different opinion. While hydration is crucial to our body's optimal functioning and promotes good blood circulation, it is not the magic bullet for hydrated skin.

Indeed, when we drink water, it doesn't directly hydrate the skin. It enters our circulatory system, is filtered by the kidneys and then hydrates the cells. This cellular hydration is beneficial for the body, but does not guarantee hydrated, radiant skin.

Benefits of moisturizing the skin

Although there isn't enough scientific evidence to support the idea that drinking water significantly improves the appearance of the skin, there are nonetheless significant benefits. It's true that severe dehydration can adversely affect the skin, altering its elasticity and causing a "tenting" effect. But it's worth noting that many claim to see an improvement in the clarity and radiance of their skin after increasing their water intake. In short, while not a foolproof solution, good hydration can at least prevent the signs of severe dehydration.

Keep dry skin moisturized

For those with dry skin, efforts should instead be directed towards topical and environmental solutions, by adopting the following habits in particular:

• Use a mild cleanser instead of soap
• Avoid skin care products containing alcohol
• Use a humidifier to counteract dry air
• Apply body cream after showering
• Choose a moisturizing face cream according to skin type

Scientific Studies on Water Consumption and Skin

Study by Williams et al (2007)

• Number of participants 86 (majority women, average age 31.8)
• Protocol Consumption of an additional 2.25 liters of water (mineral or tap) every day for 4 weeks
• Results The effects varied according to the type of water consumed, impacting skin density and thickness in different ways. No significant improvement in roughness or wrinkles was observed.

Study by Palma et al (2015)

• Number of participants 34 women (average age 24.5)
• Protocol Consumption of an extra 2 liters of bottled water every day for a month
• Results Improved surface and deep hydration of the skin, particularly in individuals who initially consumed little water.

Although the studies do not allow us to draw definitive conclusions, it seems that increasing water consumption can have effects on beneficial for skin hydrationespecially in people who do not drink enough water on a daily basis.

My verdict : Increasing water consumption can be a good idea, especially for people who don't drink much.. It's a cost-effective method with other health benefits, such as improved energy levels and brain function, and can help with weight loss. However, evidence of the efficacy of increasing water intake to improve skin condition has yet to be formally demonstrated.

Although there is no direct link between water consumption and hydration in the dry skinIt's undeniable that overall hydration is beneficial to the body's optimal functioning. So, even if drinking water isn't the ultimate solution for hydrated skin, it's still a healthy habit to cultivate. A holistic approach that integrates adequate hydration, a balanced diet and appropriate topical skincare is the best strategy for maintaining healthy, radiant skin.