SKIN & HYDRATION

Our skin is a mirror of our internal organs. If we have healthy skin, we most likely have a healthy internal environment. As a signal from nature, whenever we have a blemish or skin problems, our insides presumably need some cleansing. The best way is through good nutrition and hydration.

Good quality water is an essential component for the optimal functioning of our body. About 80% of our body mass is made up of water, including skin, tissues, cells and the organs. How does water affect our skin? When the body is insufficiently hydrated, cells of vital organs take water from the blood in order to function; this causes the blood to thicken. When your blood gets thick and water-deficient (from organs pulling water from it) the blood goes to pull water from the skin cells. This results in your skin looking dry and your eyes looking darker/sunken. Over time, dehydration can age you quicker; when the skin is dry, it’s less resilient and elastic, making it prone to wrinkling.

In 2013 42-year-old Sarah Smith increased her water intake to 3 litres per day for 4 weeks. The image on the left shows her skin before, and on the right, after proper hydration. How much water should I drink in a day? One of the most common questions I get from clients is, “how much water should I drink each day?” The answer on how to stay hydrated with water is usually drinking between 30%-50% of your body weight in ounces of water daily. So if you weigh 160 pounds (72 kg) , you typically want to try get between 40–80 ounces of water a day (between 1 - 2 litres) If you don't drink enough water, start increasing it slowly. For example, if you typically drink 2 cups of water a day, make a conscious effort to drink 3 cups. Every 2 weeks, up your intake by 1 cup. Do it with a friend and hold each other accountable for the best results.