Acne: Does drinking water really help your skin?

If you have acne-prone skin, you’ll know that people love to mull over the possible reasons behind the problem. Some will ask if it has to do with your diet or the products you’re applying on your face, but a surprising amount of people will say that it’s because you’re not drinking enough water.

Now, we all know that hydration is essential to keep your body healthy—but can drinking water actually heal your skin from the inside?

Internal hydration

Whether or not drinking water directly affects acne is a highly debated topic in the world of beauty and medicine. Currently, there is not enough scientific evidence that does demonstrate a clear link between the two.

According to MedicineNet, because acne is on the surface of your skin drinking water doesn’t actually target it from the inside. However it can indirectly help you clear up your skin by strengthening the immune system, which then fights off harmful bacteria which can cause inflammation and worsen acne.

Furthermore, experts at Healthline state that drinking water can also regulate ‘blood sugar and insulin levels, which may also help to prevent acne.’

Read more:

⋙ Acne: Are dairy products really bad for your skin?

⋙ Acne vs pimples, what’s the difference?

External hydration

As reported by VeryWell Health, the water that goes in our body will most likely to get absorbed by the organs before it reaches the skin. That’s why external hydration is key when it comes to preventing and clearing up acne.

Moisturizer is one such product that you need to have in your arsenal for hydrated skin. Dr. Aimee Paik, medical director at skincare brand Apostrophe, says:

The water you drink has no [direct] impact on your skin's hydration. It is important to not overstrip the skin by over washing or using harsh soaps or scrubs. Moisturizers are also very important for the skin.

Opt for a moisturizer that is filled with enriching ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid for maximum hydration.

Read more:

⋙ What is the skin’s moisture barrier? We asked the experts

⋙ 5 best moisturisers for acne-prone skin in 2021

⋙ Skincare: How to tell if your skin is dehydrated or dry, and how to treat it

Using water in your skincare routine

Drinking water is very beneficial for the overall health of your body, but as far as acne-prone skin is concerned, it may not do very much.

That being said, you can still use the power of water to get the most out of moisturizers and other acne-specific products. How? By applying them on damp skin! Dermatologist Dr. Dina Strachan says that:

Some skin care products, such as moisturizers, work better when applied to damp skin as part of their function is to seal moisture in.

When skin is already damp, it’s hydrated. The moisturizer can then either provide more hydration or just seal it in.