--- title: "Does Drinking Water Hydrate Skin? Myth vs Fact" description: "Find out whether drinking more water actually improves skin hydration, and what dermatologists recommend instead." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Drinking more water will give you plumper, more hydrated skin.", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Staying hydrated supports overall health but topical moisturizers and humectants are far more effective at hydrating skin directly." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://schoolofdermatology.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Myth vs Fact", "item": "https://schoolofdermatology.com/myth-vs-fact" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Drinking More Water Hydrates Your Skin", "item": "https://schoolofdermatology.com/myth-vs-fact/drinking-water-hydrates-skin" } ] } ] --- [![School of Dermatology](/assets/logo-AGZDufdq.svg)](/) Articles [Skin Types](/skin-types) Tools [Glossary](/glossary) ![Drinking More Water Hydrates Your Skin](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1548839140-29a749e1cf4d?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&fm=webp) [Myth vs. Fact](/myth-vs-fact) # Drinking More Water Hydrates Your Skin PARTIALLY TRUE By Jamie Reeves, Licensed Esthetician September 12, 2024 4 min read ## The Claim "Drinking more water will give you plumper, more hydrated skin." ## The Science The idea that drinking eight glasses of water a day will transform your skin is one of the most persistent beauty myths. While severe dehydration absolutely affects your skin — causing it to look dull, sunken, and less elastic — there is very little clinical evidence that drinking extra water beyond normal hydration levels makes a meaningful difference to skin appearance. Your skin is the last organ to receive the water you drink. The body prioritizes internal organs, and only surplus hydration reaches the outer layers of the epidermis. Studies examining the effect of increased water intake on skin hydration have found modest improvements at best, and these were primarily in individuals who were already under-hydrated. What actually hydrates skin effectively are topical humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which draw moisture from the environment and deeper skin layers to the surface, and occlusive ingredients like ceramides and squalane that lock that moisture in. A good moisturizer will always outperform an extra glass of water when it comes to skin hydration. ### Key Takeaway Staying hydrated supports overall health but topical moisturizers and humectants are far more effective at hydrating skin directly. ## Related Articles [ ![How to Actually Repair Your Skin Barrier](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1556228720-195a672e8a03?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&q=80&fm=webp) Skin Concerns ### How to Actually Repair Your Skin Barrier If your skin is red, stinging, and reactive to everything — your barrier is probably compromised. Here's how to repair it based on actual dermatological science. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read ](/articles/skin-concerns/how-to-repair-skin-barrier)[ ![Why Your Skin Gets Oilier When You Moisturize](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1619451334792-150fd785ee74?w=800&h=400&fit=crop&q=80&fm=webp) Skin Concerns ### Why Your Skin Gets Oilier When You Moisturize It sounds counterintuitive, but skipping moisturizer can actually make oily skin worse. Here's the physiological explanation — and what to do about it. Jamie Reeves · 8 min read ](/articles/skin-concerns/why-skin-oilier-when-moisturize)[ ![How to Tell If Your Skin Is Sensitive or Just Sensitized](/assets/sensitive-skin-hero-DZ9-8Rlg.webp) Skin Concerns ### How to Tell If Your Skin Is Sensitive or Just Sensitized Not all reactive skin is 'sensitive.' Most people with irritated, stinging, red skin have sensitized their skin through products or habits — and that's actually good news, because it's reversible. 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