It’s commonly believed that dehydration has adverse effects on the skin. Namely, cosmetologists and other health and beauty professionals say that dehydration - caused by not drinking enough water – can irritate skin, dry it out and alter its tone.

But is that true? What effect does the amount of water we drink have on skin hydration?

Well, there isn’t a definitive answer yet in the science community. But it remains an important question for dermatologists and estheticians, and evidence is emerging that suggests proper hydration is important for skin health.

Two Liters of Water per Day May Help Prevent Skin Dryness

A 2007 study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science ­–- one of the first clinical tests to examine hydration’s effect on skin physiology –- examined if the amount of water we drink matters in skin hydration. Ninety-three patients were included in the study, of which 86 completed, and they were required to drink 2.25 liters of water per day for four weeks. One group drank tap water and the other mineral water.

One interesting find: Skin health improved most for participants in the mineral water group who had drunken comparably little before the start of the study. So in other words, those of us who don’t drink a lot of water regularly may be putting added stress on our skin. Additionally, several individual participants had smoother, softer skin following the four weeks, which further suggests hydration’s role in skin health.

The researchers ultimately concluded that “drinking more than 2 liters of water per day can have a significant impact on skin physiology.”

The Verdict: Proper Hydration Is a Good Idea

Hydration, of course, is essential for life. Your body is made up of at least 60 percent water, and for the skin, hydration is equally important: 20-30 percent of it consists of water.

When you’re dehydration, the body pulls water from other areas of the body to carry on with more important processes, and thus, it would seem likely that being dehydrated can affect your skin. Although there isn’t a definitive answer, as the study suggests, drinking 2 liters or more might be the answer.

DripDrop Hydration Powder is formulated to reverse dehydration. Its mix of essential electrolytes tastes great, promotes hydration and easy to use on-the-go.