Does drinking water help dry skin? How to keep your skin hydrated 

Drinking water is important; that’s nothing new. It fuels your body, keeps you energized and supports everything from digestion to brain function. It totally makes sense to think drinking water would hydrate your skin and help it glow, and to some extent, it does!

However, if you’re drinking water all day, sipping on glass after glass, and your skin is still dry, flaky or dull, don’t beat yourself up—that’s normal!

Let’s clear something up: does drinking water help dry skin?

Yes… But also, not really. While water is essential for overall hydration, it’s not a magic fix for dry skin. True skin hydration, the kind that softens and nourishes dry skin, requires a balance of nutrients, including electrolytes and collagen.

We’re breaking down what causes dry skin and what you can do to rock a healthy, hydrated radiance from the inside out.

Why doesn’t drinking water fix dry skin?

Dehydrated skin isn’t related to how much water you drink. Rather, it’s about how well your body holds onto water.

Your skin’s outer layer (the stratum corneum) acts like a moisture shield. When it’s healthy, it locks hydration in and keeps irritants out. But when that barrier gets compromised, it can’t do its job properly. That’s why your skin feels tight, dry, and papery, no matter how many water bottles you’ve emptied. 

There are a lot of factors working against your skin’s outer layer and ability to stay hydrated, including:

• Environmental stressors like winter wind, indoor heating, or AC

• Age-related collagen loss, which weakens skin structure

• Dehydrating habits like daily coffee breaks or happy hour cocktails

• Low electrolyte levels, which make it harder for your cells to retain fluid

Put it all together, and it’s no surprise that drinking water alone isn’t enough to hydrate your skin.

So, what’s a dry-skinned human to do?

Hydrated skin starts with proper hydration: giving your body the tools it needs to absorb water effectively, including:

• Electrolytes to balance fluids and direct them where they’re needed

• Nutrients that help your skin retain moisture

• Collagen to promote smooth, firm, radiant skin

Hydrated skin starts on the inside, and while water helps, it needs a team.

How do electrolytes support skin hydration?

Electrolytes like magnesium, calcium, potassium, chloride, phosphorus and sodium play a key role in how your body manages hydration. These minerals help regulate the movement of fluids in and out of your cells, maintain pH balance and support nerve and muscle function, including the tiny muscles that keep your skin looking smooth and supple.

Electrolytes are like hydration traffic directors. They guide water into your cells and help keep it there, making hydration more efficient and longer-lasting. Without enough electrolytes, water can move through your system without doing its job, especially when it comes to supporting skin hydration. 

Need an electrolyte boost? Change to Ultima Replenisher has the 6 essential electrolytes your body needs daily to help you hydrate smarter and feel your best. With zero sugar, calories, or carbs and delicious plant-based flavors, Ultima makes it easy and tasty to stay on top of your daily hydration habit.

What does collagen do for your skin?

Collagen is a protein that gives your skin its structure, bounce and firmness. Alongside elastin, it helps your skin stay smooth, resilient and youthful-looking. Pretty great, right? 

The not-so-great news is that your natural collagen production starts to decline in your mid-20s, and that dip only continues with age.

To keep that glowy, healthy-skin energy going, you’ve got to protect and support your collagen production. That means fueling your body with nutrients that help protect what you’ve got and encourage new collagen to form.

Some tried-and-true ways to support collagen include:

• Getting enough vitamin C, which helps your body synthesize collagen

• Eating protein-rich foods like eggs, fish, and legumes

• Reducing excess sugar, which can accelerate collagen breakdown

• Wearing daily SPF, since UV exposure breaks down collagen

• Staying hydrated, especially with support from electrolytes and collagen-friendly nutrients

Your skin works hard to hold itself together. Giving it what it needs can make a real difference in how it looks and feels.

Which nutrients help your skin stay hydrated?

Certain nutrients play a behind-the-scenes role in keeping your skin cells healthy, elastic and able to lock in moisture.

Biotin is a great example. It’s a B vitamin that helps your body metabolize fats and amino acids, which are critical for producing the fatty acids your skin’s outer layer needs to stay strong. When your skin’s outer layer is in good shape, it holds onto hydration better, meaning less dryness, flakiness and irritation.

You don’t need a cabinet full of supplements to get skin-supporting nutrients. Antioxidants come from colourful fruits and veggies (like berries, leafy greens and bell peppers). Minerals like magnesium and potassium show up in everything from nuts and seeds to bananas and sweet potatoes. You’ll find skin-loving plant compounds in green tea, turmeric and even electrolyte mixes designed with skin health in mind.

Working more of these nutrients into your day, through what you eat, drink or stir into your water bottle, is an easy way to support your skin’s hydration from within.

What else can you do to keep your skin hydrated?

Need some more inspo to support your skin’s hydration? Here are a few extra ways to care for your skin.

• Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer right after washing your face to lock in moisture

• Apply SPF daily, even on cloudy days. Sun damage dehydrates skin and breaks down collagen

• Run a humidifier in your bedroom during dry months

• Avoid super hot showers. They can strip your skin’s natural oils

• Choose skincare products with hyaluronic acid, ceramides or glycerin

• Try a zero-sugar electrolyte mix that also supports collagen and skin health.

And of course, pair all of the above with a hydration routine that includes daily electrolytes and nutrients, not just plain water.

So…in conclusion, does drinking water really help dry skin?

Drinking water is essential to staying hydrated, but when it comes to dry skin, it’s only part of the picture. Your body needs a full hydration system that includes electrolytes, collagen and skin-supporting nutrients like biotin to keep your skin happy, hydrated and healthy. 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease