Does Drinking Water Actually Hydrate Your Skin?

When your body is thirsty, it needs water. However, this principle does not apply to dry, thirsty skin. We tend to think that drinking a lot of water can cure dry skin, but the truth is that it’s not effective.Dry skin is an external problem and is best treated from the outside. External factors such as cleansing products, environment and oil glands determine how dry your skin is or will become.

Other things that can dry skin out are fragrances such as perfume, excessive bathing or swimming, and even certain weather conditions.

The best solution for dry skin is to treat it from the outside with moisturizer such as a lotion, cream, ointment or oil, which forms an effective barrier to water loss. Apply the cream within a few minutes of bathing, when the skin is damp, which will lock in moisture.

When it comes to cleansing your skin, mild, fragrance-free soaps or soap substitutes are the best.

Other ways to treat or prevent dry skin include:

• Limit bathing time to about 10 minutes once a day and use warm water instead of extremely hot water, which robs skin of moisture.
• Try white petrolatum as a body moisturizer once or twice a day.
• In winter months, apply moisturizer to your feet and hands, and then put on gloves before you go outside.
• For extremely dry feet, apply moisturizer at night and sleep in cotton socks.
• Use facial moisturizer marketed only for the face. Body moisturizers with oils can induce acne and folliculitis lesions, or infections of the hair follicles.
• Avoid irritants as much as possible. Those who work with irritating products can protect their skin by applying moisturizer and wearing protective clothing.
• After swimming, shower off to remove residual pool chemicals and then apply moisturizer.
• Wear gloves when washing dishes.