In the H20 Know: Why Your Skin Benefits from Water

When it comes to being essential, it’s water FTW. Our skin is the largest organ, and we’re 60% water. We need that H20 to keep our bodies functioning at prime levels. Plus, drinking enough water for your skin can provide important benefits. Here’s why…

Hydrated Skin Looks (And Feels) Healthy

Ever look in the mirror and think, “my skin looks meh?” Maybe it feels tight or is flaking or it has a rough texture. These are all clear signs that your skin is dehydrated. The benefits of drinking water for your skin are impressive. It helps give it that plump, smooth feeling. It can also give your complexion a healthy, dewy glow. Curious how much water you should drink every day? The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends that you drink about 9 cups of fluid a day.

Skincare with Hydration Benefits Can Help

Your skincare products can also give you an extra boost of hydration. Reach for skincare made with gel formulations because they’re generally water-based. This means that they maintain your skin’s moisture longer than a cream or lotion. We recommend starting out with a hydrating gel face wash followed by a lightweight, oil-free gel moisturizer.

Throughout the day, refresh your face with a few spritzes of rose water for your skin. Rose water helps to balance and hydrate, calm irritation, and refresh your makeup lewk. We’re all for keeping a bottle at an arm’s length away. Pro tip: It’s also a great way to calm your skin (and senses) right before bed.

When you need a self-care moment or your skin needs a pick-me-up, put on a hydrating sheet mask and relax while it does its thing. Face masks are known to help restore skin’s moisture and glow.

Hot and Cold Water for Skin Have Different Effects

As a rule, you should wash your face with lukewarm water and your favorite cleanser twice a day. Washing your face with hot water can be damaging to the skin barrier and lead to dryness.

One common myth that’s still making the internet rounds is the idea that hot water opens pores. Hot water doesn’t exactly “open” pores but it can help unclog them by loosening up the dirt, debris, and oil stuck inside. This can make it easier to remove the gunk. That’s why aestheticians use a warm steam during facials.

To try a steam facial at home, follow these simple steps:

1. Wash your face with an exfoliating cleanser scrub to prep skin.
2. Boil water and carefully pour into a bowl. Add rose petals, lemon slices, or other herbs for the full spa experience.
3. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the bowl of hot water. Stay there for 5-10 minutes.
4. Gently pat your skin dry and follow up with your favorite face moisturizer.

While we’re at it, there’s another myth that cold water closes pores. That’s not true either. If splashing cold water on your face feels good, though, go for it. But don’t expect it to have an impact on the size of your pores.

Clean & Clear® products provide all of your hydrating skincare needs all in one place. Shop our line of acne cleansing and skin moisturizing products online or find us in the skincare aisle at your favorite drugstore.