INTRODUCTION: HYDRATION IS A MUST FOR HEALTHY SKIN
Water is one of the most fundamental components that is needed to sustain life. Studies have concluded that the first primordial life on our planet was born in the oceans. Even as we look to stars to venture outwards, our main requirement is the presence of water to survive.
But for today, we will be discussing the importance of water in our life and how vital water is for the well being of our skin.
In this article, we will discuss how important water is for our skin.
IMPORTANCE OF HYDRATING OURSELVES
Water is already accepted as the one element we humans cannot survive without. In fact, the ancient civilizations grew and prospered on the banks of the great rivers. Even now, the availability of water is a prime concern for the city planners and developers regardless of the region.
However, it is a matter of shame that we have delegated water to be unimportant in favor of more flavored beverages. No matter how good these are, whatever nutrients they may have, it cannot fill the place of the most fundamental fluid which sustains life – water.
ARE WE DRINKING ENOUGH WATER?
We are all making this mistake. In today’s fast paced life, we are getting busier and busier leaving little time to take care of our bodies and our skin from within and in a holistic manner. This disdain of water is the reason people who gorge on spicy foods and processed meats have more upset stomachs, stomach cramps, bloating, and diarrhoea-like symptoms. Even I am guilty of indulging in chips & burgers, and chugging up soda while working when I should be drinking water and eating healthy.
Take this mini quiz:
What is the first thing you would prefer to drink when you feel thirsty?
- A hot cup of Java/capuchino
- Soda /juice
- Beer / Wine
- Plain boring water
Chances are that it is a higher probability you would be favoring the first three before water. But it is not your fault or for that matter anyone. We are subconsciously drawn to the first three as to satisfy the urges of our taste buds.
While having a cup of coffee or two or an occasional fizzy drink is not a problem, it becomes an issue when our diet is loaded with processed foods, soda, high corn syrup based foods and foods with high sodium content, This results not only in the net loss of water in the body, intake of the above-mentioned foods and beverages also cause the damage to the collagen structure in the skin.
Let’s see what are the consequences of our cutting down on water intake and replacing it with other substitutes.
CONSEQUENCES OF LOW HYDRATION LEVELS
Our lives are busy and filled with non-stop activity from the start of the day to the time we hit the bed. All the activities need flow of energy and nutrients flowing in the body. However, when we end up by drinking less water, it can result into several problems such as:
- Water hydrates and plumps skin cells to make your skin look brighter, vibrant, and more youthful. However, lack of water can cause skin to lose its plumpness and elasticity—leading to dryness, flakiness, fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. Water even helps reduce acne and other skin problems by flushing harmful toxins from the body. If beauty products and skin treatments are failing to improve the appearance of your skin, drink more water to achieve a more youthful appearance and to reduce or improve skin problems.
- Not drinking enough water can cause an overall fluid loss in the body. This fluid loss can lead to a decrease in blood volume that puts excess pressure on the heart to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the organs, including the muscles. Lack of water can cause you to experience periods of fatigue and low energy as your body tries to function without enough water.
- Frequent Illness:Water helps flush toxins, waste, and bacteria from the body to fight disease and infection as well as strengthens your immune system so you become sick less frequently. If it seems as though you’re always getting sick, you may need to start drinking more water to keep your body free of toxins and functioning at an optimal level. Since lack of water also causes fatigue, you may tend to be less physically active—another risk factor for weakened immunity.
- Constipation: Water promotes good digestion and regular bowel movements by keeping your stool soft and moving it easily through the digestive tract. Not drinking enough water can cause your body to pull water from stool to compensate for fluid loss, leading to harder and firmer stool that is more difficult to pass. If your bowel movements are irregular and infrequent, try drinking more water to loosen your stools and relieve constipation and bloating.
- Sugar Cravings:Dehydration interferes with the body’s ability to reach into glucose stores for energy and can trigger cravings for foods high in sugar and carbohydrates. Unusual and sudden cravings for sugary foods like chocolate, donuts, cookies, and candies may indicate that your body is in great need of water—not food. If you’re experiencing sugar cravings or hunger pangs even though you’ve recently eaten, try drinking more water to rehydrate your body and keep cravings at bay.
- Decreased Urination: When your body is dehydrated, the kidneys retain as much fluid as possible to maintain their function. This can lead to decreased urination—one of the most common signs of low water intake. Lack of water can cause your urine to become darker in color, stronger in odor, and cloudier in appearance. You may also face a higher risk of urinary tract infection when your body lacks enough water to flush out toxins and bacteria. You’ll know you’re drinking enough water when you start urinating more frequently and the urine is clearer, lighter in color, and far less odorous.
REMEDIES TO IMPROVE SKIN HEALTH
So, what can we do? Our demanding routine sometimes takes our attention from fulfilling the hydration needs of the body. But luckily there are a few steps we can take to make sure that our body and by extension our skin stays hydrated.
These are:
- Taking water breaks: Yes! You read it right. Just as our body has become conditioned to going to the loo(or washroom if you feel offended), we need to condition our body to drink water regularly. The more water we take, the better hydrated our body becomes and it is easier for the body to dispose of waste products. Make sure that you keep consuming water and keep the routine except may be in case of urgent situations.
- Substitute caffeinated items for plain water or go for natural juices: Today we have become habitual to start our day with coffee or tea. While one or may be two cups of these are good for the body, these are what medical professionals call diuretic which results in more water outflow from the body. So, it is important that we substitute the unnecessary cups of java or hot latte with water or natural juices. But care should be taken so we are not adding too much sugar through juices.
- Cleansing the face: It is important that we take care of hygiene as well. The pollutants in the environment, dust, smoke all stick to our skin including our face. As the facial skin is more prone to these environmental stressors, we must take care of the skin by washing it with hydrating cleansers so our face stays fresh and hydrated. The White Willow bark cleanser from Bee Elite Essentials is the perfect product with the goodness of bearberry, tamarind, Gotu kola and white willow bark to make sure your skin is both cleansed and hydrated.
- Boosting hydration while sleeping: While we take rest in the night and go to sleep, the rebuilding and repair progress in our body to heal itself begins. Give a further positive boost to your skin by adding the Bee venom powered face serum to your nightly routine after cleansing. Bee Elite Essentials Ageless Bee Venom face serum is loaded with skin hydrators and boosters like Hyaluronic acid, Aloe vera, Manuka honey, coffee honey, green tea and many others that work on your skin to give you that rosy fresh feeling when you wake up in the morning.
CONCLUSION:
Hydration is not only a necessity for the human body, it is also a way of keeping one look youthful and beautiful, so load up on the best beverage -water. It is upto us to manage our health and our skin by following the best practices.