This Could Be The Secret To Skincare

Could the secret to skincare be a substance that is part of our everyday lives? Research shows that water – the basis of almost every skincare product – has a tremendous role to play in keeping skin healthy.

Water is life. The earth is made up of over 70% water, and our bodies are up to 60% water. Fascinatingly, human blood plasma is over 90% water. When human beings look for life on other planets, the first thing that is sought out is water – without it, nothing can survive.

When it comes to skincare, there is one ingredient that is common to almost every skincare treatment: you guessed it, water. In fact, water can make up to 85% of beauty creams, 90% of lotions and up to 95% of shower gels and shampoos.

Water and skin health

Water and skin health are closely related. For example, just a 10% drop in skin’s water content can leave it vulnerable to damaging environmental factors.

According to research published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, drinking 9.5 cups of water a day over 4 weeks improved skin density and thickness. Another study, by the University of Missouri-Columbia, showed the correlation between drinking 2 cups of water, and an increased flow of blood to the skin – providing oxygen and removing toxins.

Experts agree that drinking water can help keep your skin hydrated. And while there is some controversy around this issue, the general consensus is that drinking water certainly cannot hurt your skin – or your general wellbeing. Of course, there is such a thing as drinking too much water. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine maintain that daily fluid intake of about 15.5 cups for men and around 11.5 cups for women, is adequate.

Water and skincare

Why are many skincare products water-based? Because water helps deliver so many of the beneficial ingredients in skincare products. When it comes to water and skin health, clearly water is part of the secret to skincare. But how should you take advantage of this secret?

There are 2 major ways to leverage water in improving your skin’s health: from within – that is, by drinking water – and from outside, whether that’s in the form of washing, or through an effective skincare routine

Taking care of your skin externally

Did you know you can measure your skin’s moisture content? By using what’s called bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA,) you can know a definitive moisture percentage. A commonly misheld belief is that moisturizers literally add moisture to the skin. Technically, that is not the case. Rather they prevent moisture from leaving the skin, which is called transepidermal water loss. On average, humans lose 400ml of skin moisture to evaporation, daily. Replacing this moisture, and maintaining it, thus becomes critical; and water has a massive role to play.

Skin moisture content is adversely affected by a number of factors, including:

For example, washing your face with cold water has tremendous skincare benefits, including helping to prevent acne, and with certain skin conditions such as rosacea. This is because cold water doesn’t strip oil from the skin, and doesn’t cause blood vessels to become dilated. Cold water also helps close pores, preventing puffiness. Cold showers can help improve circulation, increase endorphins, and fast-track your metabolism.

Taking care of your skin from within

Drinking cold water has a number of health benefits: for skin health, and your body in general. These include:

The last point being super important, given that the skin is the body’s largest organ.

A common question that’s asked is, is cold water good for health? Drinking cold water in particular definitely has additional advantages. Cold water benefits include regulating body temperature, and increasing alertness. Much has been discussed about the benefits of drinking cold water in the morning. Drinking cold water before bed is also thought to provide numerous health benefits. While there does not appear to be a definitive answer as to when the best time to drink water is, drinking throughout the day is encouraged.

It’s all about water. From within: in the form of ensuring you drink enough water, the right way; as well as from outside – in the form of moisturizers and other ways of keeping your skin hydrated.

The secret to great skincare

As humans, our skin is 64% water. Clearly, taking care of your skin’s moisture content is the secret to skincare. Water, such a critical part of life, is no less important in this area.

At Watergen, we’re all about water. By extracting drinking water from humidity in the air, we’re able to provide people anywhere with clean, safe water. Water truly is life. Unfortunately, it’s a luxury that many people don’t have right now, and many others are losing access to. Join us on our mission to ensure that everyone has access to the incredible benefits that water has to offer.