Does Drinking Water Help Your Skin?
Does drinking more water improve your skin?
Modestly, mostly for people who drink little
Modestly. In a one-month study of 49 women, adding water to the daily diet raised skin hydration, most in people who normally drank little. We found no trial testing water for acne, and a moisturiser does more for dry skin.
What the study did
Researchers grouped 49 healthy women by how much water they usually drank, added about 2 litres of water a day to the diet for 30 days, and measured skin hydration, water loss through the skin and how the skin stretched, on the face, arm and leg. Hydration changed, and the change was biggest in the women who normally drank less.
What it did not test
It measured instruments, not appearance or comfort, and it was a small study. It did not test acne, oiliness or wrinkles. Someone who already drinks enough has little reason to expect a change.
Practical takeaway
Drink when you are thirsty and swap sugary drinks for water or unsweetened tea. For dry skin, a moisturiser and a gentle cleanser do more than extra water.
More of
- Water through the day
- Water-rich fruit and vegetables
Easy swaps
- Sugary drinks for water or unsweetened tea
Questions people ask
We did not find a trial that tests water intake for acne. The study on this page measured skin hydration, not breakouts.
We do not set a target. The study added water for people who drank little; your own thirst and your doctor's advice are better guides.
Research
Selected studies and reviews on does drinking water help your skin?. Each link opens the abstract on PubMed. This is background reading, not a substitute for advice from a dermatologist.
- Dietary water affects human skin hydration and biomechanics.Palma L et al. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol, 2015 · PMID 26345226Note: Small study, 49 women.
General information, not dietary or medical advice. These guides describe what studies found and how strong the evidence is. Talk to a doctor or dietitian if you have a condition, are pregnant or are changing your diet or supplements.