Water and Your Skin

We have all heard time and time again how important getting your minimum water intake is.  But often we are left confused by how much water we should actually be consuming per day.  It's a tricky answer and often depends on your health, how active you are day to day, where you live, your height and weight just to name a few!

However we can all agree that water has amazing health benefits and in turn benefits for your Skin!  Every single system in your body depends on water intake.  Water not only flushes out those nasty toxins in your body but also acts as a carrier bringing essential nutrients around the body.

Dehydration can not only leave you feeling tired, irritable and miserable it also causes havoc on your skin.  Dehydrated skin can feel tight, can look dull and is prone to break outs.  One of the best things you can do both for yourself and your skin is to increase your water intake and to stay hydrated at all times.  Drinking more water creates moisture in your skin from the inside out giving you that glow you have always wanted.

So start today an extra glass until you build up to your recommend minium intake and see the results for yourself!

To help you get started we have a very simple table below based on weight for minimum water intake.  This is purely a guide as remember one solution doesn't suit all!

Dry Skin

Dry skin is one of the most common skin care issues, however often people mistake dry skin for dehydrated skin.  Remember the golden rule for dry skin is to always look after it, particularly in winter when you may find your skin feels even tighter.  Try to always follow your daily regime of Cleanse, Tone and Moisturise and avoid using products such as facial wipes or household soap on your face.   

Dehydration plays a large part in skin feeling tight and lines in the skin can form.  If you feel your dry skin stems from dehydration start increasing your daily water intake today.   If you can shower in luke warm water, hot water can reduce the amount of moisture in your skin and avoid using any harsh soaps on the skin.   

Our skincare secret! - Try and keep your skin moisturised throughout the day by using a product such as the Avene Thermal spring water in the morning, throughout the day even over your makeup and before you go to sleep at night.   This spring water has no smell, colour or taste and is suitable for even the most sensitive skins.   Try also to reduce your tea and coffee intake and substitute with a glass of water to help skin hydration.  

One of the conditions associated with dry skin is sensitive skin.  If you are suffering from sensitive skin we recommend that you visit one of our Skincare consultants who will be able to give you a free skin consultation and recommend products to combat your dry and sensitive skin.

Eczema a note from our Facebook Pharmacist Stephen:

We all see plenty of adverts for products focused on making our skin look younger or even a few shades darker (ladies!), but a lot of people suffer from a skin condition that is more than just a vanity issue. Eczema is a relatively common condition that at best is annoying but at its worst can become life controlling. It frequently occurs in babies and small children but many outgrow it by adulthood. A few simple measures can make living with eczema a lot more bearable, such as regular moisturising with creams and using washes that are specifically designed for eczematous skin, even during times when it isn't flared up. But flare ups are, unfortunately, inevitable and this is where your local Unicare or DocMorris Pharmacy team may be able to help. Antihistamines and a mild steroid cream ( in adults and children over 10 years) are available over the counter and can help to clear up minor flare ups and reduce the itch associated with them, although check with your pharmacist to determine what course of treatment will be suitable.