Acne is one of the most commonly experienced skin problems people deal with, affecting tons of individuals of all ages. Whether you’re a teenager experiencing your first hormonal changes, or working adult who can’t seem to stop stress induced breakouts, acne can definitely feel never-ending. Because of this, many individuals want to know how they can better their skin in a more natural, easy, and inexpensive way. One of the most asked questions is: Does drinking water help with acne?

There is no denying that water is vital to your overall health. But when it comes to acne, a lot of that can be more complicated than we think. Let’s break it down piece by piece.

Can Drinking Water Clear Acne?

Drinking water is not a magic potion that will rinse your blemishes away instantly. That said, drinking water can influence skin health in several indirect, yet important, ways.

• Hydration delays dryness – Your skin is able to properly function when it is hydrated. When your skin becomes dehydrated, it overcompensates by producing more oil. This excess oil interacts with dirt and dead skin cells on or in the skin and eventually clogs pores and causes breakouts over time. Hydration benefits the skin and can assist with keeping your skin (and your clarity) balanced.
• Assists with detoxification – Your kidneys and liver have their own biological clocks that help clear waste and toxins from the body, and drinking water helps maintain that process. Staying hydrated to a degree does help reduce internal stress you can’t see, which might show up in your skin.
• Promotes circulation – Drinking enough water increases blood flow to skin cells, allowing oxygen and nutrients to reach them. This helps heal damaged skin more quickly and lessens the possibility of a bigger breakout.

In other words: drinking water won’t clear your acne, but it will set up the right conditions for clearer skin.

How Much Water Do You Need for Healthy Skin?

You’ve heard the conventional wisdom about drinking 8 glasses of water each day (about 2 liters). While that is a reasonable baseline, ultimately the amount is dependent on things like age, size of your body, how active you are, and which way is the wind blowing.

• If exercising, you’ll need to drink more water to account for what you’ve lost via sweat.
• If you’re in a hot, humid climate, you need to drink more water.
• You can check your hydration somewhat by the color of your urine. Clear = good, dark = drink more water.

It’s not just the quantity of water that’s important… It’s the consistency that matters too. One thing many people do is to chug water, but honestly that doesn’t do you as much good for your skin as drinking water consistently throughout the day.

Is Dehydration Linked to Acne?

Yes, dehydration can indirectly worsen acne. When there is not enough water for the skin:

• The skin produces more oil (sebum) in an attempt to protect itself.
• The skin barrier diminishes and allows for bacteria and irritants to cause inflammation.
• Healing is impaired, which can prevent the breakouts from healing and makes a deeper scar.

So, while dehydration may not cause acne by itself, it definitely can make existing acne more difficult to manage.

Can Drinking Too Much Water Clear Acne Faster?

Not exactly. Drinking excessive amounts of water will not make a pimple disappear overnight. In fact, drinking too much water can hurt the kidneys and affect the balance of electrolytes in the body.

Balance is important; focus on eating and drinking healthy and staying hydrated moderate amounts of water. Water is only one piece of the puzzle.

Other Factors That Affect Acne More Than Water

Drinking water is great for your skin/clarity/hydration but a myriad of other things affect acne that usually have a much larger impact:

Factor	Impact on Acne
Diet (high sugar, dairy, processed foods)	Triggers inflammation, blood sugar spikes, and hormonal imbalances
Hormones	Fluctuations, especially during puberty, menstrual cycles, or stress, are a major cause of acne
Stress	Raises cortisol levels, which increase oil production and inflammation
Hygiene	Dirty pillowcases, makeup brushes, and not cleansing your skin properly can clog pores
Genetics	Some people are more prone to acne due to inherited skin traits

Should You Rely Only on Water for Acne Treatment?

Nope. Just to be clear, drinking water is important, but it is not a miracle option for acne. In almost all instances, effective acne treatment should include healthy lifestyle choices (along with skin care and medication) such as:

• Over the counter creams with salicylic or benzoyl peroxide to relieve clogged pores and bacteria.
• Prescribed medications like retinoids, antbiotics, or hormone changes (sometimes for women with hormonal acne)
• A balanced diet low in sugar and processed foods
• Stress management methods like exercise, mindfulness, or journaling
• A well established and healthy skin care routine with gently cleansing without scrubs, non-comedogenic* moisturizers, and an SPF* sunscreen for daytime

Conclusion

Sure, indirectly. Staying well hydrated will allow your skin to stay hydrated, helps with oil balance, healing, and detoxification, which are all factors to reducing breakouts for severity and frequency.

Yet, clearly, water alone is not going to cure your acne; it is a larger scope issue; for clear skin, you will need to implement a holisitc approach which takes into consideration proper hydration combined with a proper skin care regime, nutrient-dense diet, stress management, possibly medication too.

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