The Science of Hydration and Skin Glow  

The Role of Water in Supporting Skin Elasticity  

It’s time to get honest. Most of us probably think of skincare in terms of creams, serums, or face masks. However, the truth is in the body. One of the most powerful tools for healthy, glowing skin is hydration. If your body is well hydrated, your skin cells are healthy, plump, flexible, and strong. If your body is not well hydrated, your skin cells suffer. Your skin feels tight, dry, and sometimes even dull.  

Human skin consists of about 60-65% water, according to studies published in Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. Water plays a significant role in maintaining the elasticity of your skin. Skin elasticity is the ability of your skin to stretch and bounce back. Think of a sponge. If you have a sponge full of water, it feels pliable. If you place that sponge in the sun for the entire day, it will shrink and stiffen. Your skin behaves in much the same way.  

Water also plays a significant role in transporting nutrients to your body that support your structural proteins. Your structural proteins are made up of collagen and elastin. Collagen provides your skin with firmness. Elastin provides your skin with flexibility. If your body is not well hydrated, your structural proteins do not function at their best. Dehydration can cause your fine lines to look more prominent. Moreover, dehydration can cause your skin to lose that bounce.  

Here’s a simple way to visualize the process.  

Hydration and the Skin

Hydration plays an important role in maintaining the skin barrier, which safeguards us from external aggressors like pollution and UV damage, according to Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York (American Academy of Dermatology).

So, what happens when we apply this to a real-life scenario? For example, imagine an individual who spends the entire day running errands in a hot city, perhaps walking in the streets of chennai. The sun beats down, the weather is hot, and sweating is unavoidable. If the individual does not drink a lot of water during the day, the skin gradually loses moisture. This results in a dry, tight, and tired feeling on the face by the time night falls.

However, what if the individual were to drink a lot of water during the day, perhaps even drinking water or fresh tender coconut while walking in the streets of Madurai? The effects might not be immediately obvious. Nevertheless, over time, the effects of hydration can be quite obvious.

Collagen, Hydration, and the Skin

Collagen is a term we often hear in the context of skincare. And we have collagen to thank for many things. It gives us firm skin, to begin with. However, collagen can’t perform its functions in isolation. Water plays an important role in ensuring that this process works smoothly.

We can think of collagen like the steel structure of a building. The building can’t stand up straight unless there is support. Similarly, collagen can’t perform its functions unless there is support. Water plays an important role in delivering nutrients like vitamin C, amino acids, and minerals, which the body needs to produce collagen.

Another key player in the game of hydration is the skin barrier, also known as the stratum corneum. This outer layer of our skin is essentially a protective shield. It keeps hydration locked inside, and at the same time, blocks external irritants and toxins from entering.

As the level of hydration decreases, the performance of the stratum corneum also starts to deteriorate. And that leads to...

• Skin becomes rough or flaky

• Sensitivity increases

• Wrinkles appear more prominent

• Takes longer to heal from minor skin irritations

As you can probably guess, when hydration is at a healthy level, things work quite differently.

• The stratum corneum becomes more flexible

• The surface becomes smoother

• The body heals itself more quickly

A big part of this hydration equation is a compound known as hyaluronic acid. This natural compound in our skin has an incredible ability to hold 1,000 times its weight in water, according to an article in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. And when hydration is at a healthy level, hyaluronic acid acts as a reservoir inside our skin, holding hydration exactly where we need it.

You might have noticed that after a big night of hydrating with drinks, when you look in the mirror, you look a little more refreshed. Well, that's not magic, folks. It's biology working the way it was meant to work.

Hydration, Detoxification, and Immune Function

While hydration affects the outer layer of our skin, it also affects our entire system of detoxification. Every single day, our body works to digest food, cleanse toxins, repair damaged cells, and create waste products. And hydration plays a big part in making sure that we get rid of those toxins quickly and efficiently.

The kidneys, liver, and our lymphatic system use water in large quantities to function optimally. When you are hydrated by drinking water, the kidneys filter out the waste from your body and expel it via urine. According to the National Kidney Foundation, drinking water helps prevent kidney stones and aids in detoxification.

Now let's think of our bloodstream as a busy highway. Nutrients, oxygen, and hormones are constantly being transported to different parts of the body. Just like a highway needs water to be kept wet and flowing, our body needs water to be kept hydrated. Without water, our highway slows down. The delivery of these essential items is delayed.

Our skin is our largest body organ. When our body is hydrated by water, our skin cells are optimally supplied with oxygen and nutrients.

Now let's think of a relatable scenario.

It is a hot summer afternoon in Madurai. A student is walking across campus in the scorching sun. Instead of purchasing a soda from a vending machine, he stops by a roadside food stall and buys a tender coconut. The cool coconut water quenches his thirst. Within a matter of minutes, his body is supplied with essential minerals and water.

Energy levels are boosted. The body is cooled. Such activities over a period of time will help maintain our health and our skin.

You may think that hydration is a simple process. But behind the scenes, hydration is working optimally to drive multiple systems that affect our lives in a multitude of ways.

Plain drinking water will always be a foundation of proper hydration. What’s fascinating is that proper hydration doesn’t have to be dull. There are a lot of natural beverages and food items out there that can offer hydration along with a dose of vitamins and antioxidants.

You might already be consuming some of these beverages and food items without realizing how good they are for you.

Let’s look at some smart drink choices.

1. Mineral Water

Mineral water is a drink rich in electrolytes like potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These electrolytes play a significant role in regulating body muscles and fluids.

As per the World Health Organization, mineral-rich drinking water can make a significant contribution towards daily nutrient intake.

2. Coconut Water

Coconut water is considered a sports drink in its own right. Well, in a way, it is.

It’s got potassium, magnesium, and a little bit of sodium too.

If you have ever walked down a street in a place like Madurai on a bright summer day and stopped by a street stall to grab a bottle of chilled tender coconut drink, then you know exactly what I’m talking about.

3. Lemon Water

Lemon is a simple yet powerful drink choice.

It’s got vitamin C too.

4. Herbal Infusions

Herbal teas like peppermint, chamomile, hibiscus, and ginger are great hydrators and offer a dose of antioxidants too.

Antioxidants are great at combating free radicals in our body.

5. Electrolyte Drinks

Electrolyte drinks can come in handy when you have been out in the sun all day.

They contain potassium and sodium.

6. Infused Water

Infused water is an excellent way to add flavor to plain water without the addition of sugar.

Some popular infused waters include:

• Cucumber + Mint

• Orange + Basil

• Strawberry + Lemon

7. Soups and Broths

Yes, soups do contribute to the intake of fluids.

Vegetable soup, lentil soup, and broth do contain some amount of water along with some minerals.

8. Fruits with High Water Content

Many fruits do contain 80-90% water.

Some examples include:

• Watermelon

• Orange

• Cucumber

• Papaya

• Strawberries

Coconut Water and Tropical Hydration

In tropical countries, the methods used for hydration are often natural.

In many countries, coconut water is the best way to hydrate the body.

Each cup of coconut water contains 600 mg of potassium.

Potassium is an essential mineral required by the body.

It is used to maintain normal blood pressure, proper functioning of muscles, as well as nerve functioning.

Let’s consider an example.

It is an afternoon.

The sun is shining brightly.

The streets are bustling with people rushing to various shopping destinations.

A small vendor is present at the corner with many coconuts.

A person stops by the vendor.

The vendor opens the top part of the coconut with the help of a knife.

In no time, the person is drinking the coconut water.

It is not only delicious but also hydrating.

Herbal Infusions and Antioxidant Benefits

Herbal infusions not only hydrate the body but also provide the skin with antioxidants.

In the natural world, many elements such as pollution, sun, as well as food, do contribute to the formation of free radicals.

Free radicals do accumulate in the body.

They do accelerate the process of aging.

Herbs are rich in antioxidants which help counteract these effects.

Some examples of herbal teas are:

• Hibiscus Tea: rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which are beneficial for skin elasticity

• Green Tea: contains antioxidants called catechins, which are beneficial for skin protection from UV rays (Journal of Nutrition)

• Ginger Tea: beneficial for digestion and circulation

Consuming herbal teas regularly will provide hydration with a touch of health benefits.

Infused Water Recipes for Busy Lifestyles

Sometimes, we are so caught up with our busy lives that we forget to take care of ourselves, especially with regard to drinking water regularly.

Here is a simple infused water recipe using ingredients found in South Indian culture.

Tulsi-Lime Cooling Water

Ingredients:

• 1 liter filtered water

• 4-5 fresh tulsi leaves

• slices of half a lime

• slices of cucumber (optional)

Steps:

1. Insert all ingredients in a glass bottle.

2. Store in a refrigerator for 1-2 hours.

3. Sip on this infused water throughout the day.

Imagine preparing this infused water in the early morning before going to work. Place this in your office desk, and instead of drinking sweet drinks in the afternoon, simply take a sip of this infused water.

This small change in your lifestyle can change your drinking habits over time, and your body will surely appreciate this change.