Drinking Water Won't Clear Your Skin, But Here's What Does

Although it would be nice if beauty products could work their magic in just a few hours, such a feat is impossible — any skincare product that says it can work overnight is a major red flag and is absolutely stretching the truth. It usually takes up to a month for such products to really make a noticeable difference. Skin issues being cleared up over the course of a single night are not the only exaggerated claims in the skincare world. 

Another popular one is that drinking more water will clear up your skin. While drinking water is obviously an important part of being healthy, it does not have magical healing properties. Drinking extra water alone will not shrink away acne or prevent wrinkles. Water does play a role in clearer skin, but probably not in the way that you think. It's not about an overabundance of water — it's about replacing the bad with the good.

Put simply, drinking more water won't magically clear up your skin. As board-certified dermatologist Dr. Cameron Rokhsar informed Insider, "I'm one of those guys who thinks it's a myth." A real change that will help is consuming drinks with less sugar and less caffeine. Dr. Rokhsar pointed out that sugar is inflammatory and caffeine is dehydrating, and both things can seriously mess with your skin. Dehydrated skin, in particular, is more prone to acne and wrinkles.

If you drink the same amount of caffeinated drinks as usual and just add more water on top of that, it won't lead to the improvements you're hoping for. However, if you modify your diet by replacing sugary beverages with water, your skin will thank you. It may seem like the increased water consumption is what's making the difference to your skin, but it's actually the decrease in consumption of sugary, caffeinated sodas and/or tea and coffee.

It may be painful to reevaluate your favorite Starbucks order but that could be the necessary change if you're struggling with skin issues. Rokhsar also recommended keeping your skin hydrated by moisturizing immediately after taking a shower.

There are other, relatively simple changes that you can make to your routine to keep your skin healthy and looking good too. Eating healthier and consuming less alcohol can also help your skin. As Joshua Zimm, MD, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, told WebMD, "I have personally seen some absolutely remarkable improvements in [the] skin when people start eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins."

Likewise, wearing sunscreen is also a must. To keep your skin hydrated, shorten the lengths of hot baths or showers. You could even consider purchasing a humidifier for your room if your skin is especially dry. Similarly, be careful about what you put on your skin. Ensure your makeup is oil-free and always remove it before bed. You should wash your tools often (you can even use something as simple as a bar of soap to clean your makeup brushes).

So, if you're looking to see some improvement in your skin, there's no need to drink water constantly. Instead, work to replace sugary drinks and junk foods with water and other healthier options, and take care to moisturize regularly so your skin feels good from the inside out.