Does Water Reduce Acne?
You hear so much about medications in the media these days. It has me afraid to try almost any medication. When I visit my doctors, I usually ask for recommendations for alternative or holistic treatments.
When I asked my dermatologist about alternative acne therapies, she immediately said, “Water.” I can only imagine the confused expression on my face. Water, what? She explained that one of the most important components of effective acne treatment is drinking adequate amounts of water. That simple, huh? What is an “adequate” amount? She says that 6-8 glasses of water per day is adequate. More than that is suggested.
I immediately thought, well, I’m good. I drink lots of water every day. There’s water in my coffee, my tea and my little fruit drink I make from the powder packets. Well, the doctor informed me that, indeed, no, I am not getting enough water. Confusion clouded my face again. I asked her to explain how I was not getting enough water.
She said that I should have 6-8 glasses of PLAIN water. Coffee and tea act as diuretics, meaning they actually cause you to lose water. Plain water helps to keep the cells healthy. It also helps the body to replace dead cells with new cells. The skin must be hydrated by water to keep it healthy. When skin is dehydrated, more oil is produced. The increased oil leads to increased acne outbreaks. She sold me right there.