What Does Water Really Do for the Skin?

Dry skin is more than an inconvenience; it can cause discomfort, redness, itching, swelling, and more. If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, you may be experiencing skin dehydration.

When you hear the term “dehydrated,” water comes to mind as a natural solution. But what can water actually do for the skin?

How Water Helps Skin

Does Drinking Water Hydrate Your Skin?

While you’ll generally feel better when you drink plenty of water, the connection between hydrating your body and hydrating your skin is an uncertain one. According to Dr. Lawrence Gibson of the Mayo Clinic:

“Skin is made up of three layers — the outer layer (epidermis), the underlying skin (dermis) and the subcutaneous tissue. If the outermost layer of the epidermis doesn’t contain enough water, skin will lose elasticity and feel rough. Despite this connection, however, there’s a lack of research showing that drinking extra water has any impact on skin hydration or appearance.”

That said, your doctor or dermatologist is still likely to recommend regular hydration for better overall health.

Does Washing Skin with Water Hydrate Skin?

Washing your face is a must for good skin care. But any hydration water provides for skin is temporary, since water quickly evaporates from the surface of your skin.

When it comes to how water affects your skin, temperature matters. Water temperature for face washing, showering, or any hydrotherapy depends on your skin’s condition and the desired effect you’re looking for.

Healthline reports:

• Hot water strips the oils that can cause breakouts, so it may trigger your skin into producing even more.

• Hot water causes blood vessels to dilate more, making your skin appear redder.

• Cold water may be better for certain skin conditions, such as rosacea.

• Hot water does open the pores, which can be good for skin health. But again, too much can irritate the skin.

• Since cold water closes the skin, it may trap dirt and oil there before it can be fully removed.

Looking for a happy medium? Try washing with lukewarm water to allow pores to open up enough to be cleaned, but not for too much oil to be removed. After washing, finish with a cold water rinse to close the pores back up and give your skin a healthy, invigorated feel.

Giving Your Skin a Hydration Boost

Since water alone doesn’t hydrate dry skin as much as you likely need, your doctor or dermatologist may recommend adding a moisturizer to your daily skin care routine. If you feel like you need deep cleaning and moisturizing, a hydrafacial is a great way to treat your skin to something special.

During a hydrafacial treatment, dermatologist-recommended moisturizers are infused while your skin is deep-cleaned, resulting in a nourishing balance that’s just right for your skin’s unique needs.

A Multifaceted Approach to More Hydrated Skin

North Pacific Dermatology prides ourselves on being a dermatology and cosmetic center for anyone looking to rehydrate and rejuvenate their skin.

If you’ve been dealing with dry skin rash or other symptoms of skin dehydration, we can customize a skin care plan that integrates cosmetic dermatology treatments, traditional medical dermatology remedies, and recommendations for improved at-home care. We’re experienced with custom solutions for acne skin care, skin care for sun damage, and a range of other skin conditions characterized by dry skin.

Don’t wait for the discomfort of dry skin to resolve on its own, especially if nothing you’ve tried is working. Schedule an appointment or consultation with our office today to start feeling better sooner.