Does Drinking Water Help Your Skin? What the Research Says

July 13, 2026

Few skincare tips are repeated as often as drink more water. There is some real science here, though the effect is more modest than the headlines suggest.

What the research found

A study measured the impact of dietary water on skin physiology in healthy women. It found that increasing water intake affected measures of skin hydration and biomechanics, with the effect more noticeable in those who had previously been drinking less (Palma et al., 2015, PMID 26345226).

What this means in practice

Staying adequately hydrated supports your skin, particularly if you were not drinking enough to begin with. That said, water is not a magic glow switch, and drinking far more than you need does not keep adding benefit. Topical hydration matters too.

Drink enough to feel comfortably hydrated, without forcing large excesses.
Use humectants like hyaluronic acid to draw water into the skin.
Seal that hydration in with a good moisturiser.

At Verdo we stock the Medik8 Hydr8 B5 hyaluronic acid serum and Medik8 Total Moisture.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. The studies cited are from peer-reviewed journals and are provided for educational context. Individual results vary. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist before changing your routine. Verdo Cosmetics makes no therapeutic claims about the products or services mentioned.

Frequently asked questions

Does drinking water improve your skin?

A study found that increasing water intake affected skin hydration and biomechanics, with the effect more noticeable in those who had been drinking less (Palma et al., 2015). Staying adequately hydrated supports skin, but it is not a magic fix.

How much water should I drink for my skin?

Enough to feel comfortably hydrated. The research suggests the biggest difference is for people who were under-drinking; drinking far more than you need does not keep adding benefit.

Is topical hydration better than drinking water?

They work together. Drinking enough supports the whole body, while topical humectants like hyaluronic acid draw water into the skin and a moisturiser seals it in.

Will drinking water clear dry skin?

Adequate hydration helps, but dry skin usually also needs topical care: a hydrating serum plus a moisturiser, and gentle cleansing. Water alone rarely solves persistent dryness.

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