Acne is something that many of us are all too familiar with. There are numerous treatments and products out there to help ease the symptoms and combat breakouts.
But what about something as simple as drinking water? Does drinking water help with acne? I’ll share whether that’s true, and if there’s any evidence behind the claim that drinking water can help prevent acne.
What is Acne, and How Does It Form?
Acne is a chronic skin condition that results in the appearance of pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, cysts and other inflamed lesions on the skin, with the skin being the largest organ in the body. It develops when hair follicles become clogged with excess oil (sebum) and dead skin cells.
Acne usually appears during puberty as hormones fluctuate, but can continue into adulthood for some people. Acne most commonly appears on the face, chest and back, but can also show up on the arms or legs.
The formation of acne begins with the over-production of oil (sebum), which is released from sebaceous glands in the hair follicles to naturally lubricate your skin and hair. This excess oil combines with dead skin cells to form a plug within each pore or opening (follicle) in your skin.
As bacteria accumulates, an inflammatory response occurs, resulting in red bumps and pus-filled lesions referred to as pimples or zits. If not treated properly, inflammation can cause damage to surrounding tissue leading to scarring that may be permanent, while acutely infected lesions may develop into nodules or cysts requiring medical treatment including topical medications or oral antibiotics.
To minimize acne breakouts, it’s important to keep your pores clean by washing your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser free of harsh abrasives; avoiding touching your face throughout the day; using non-comedogenic products when putting makeup on; maintaining a healthy diet; getting enough rest/sleep and reducing stress levels as much as possible through calming activities such as yoga or light exercise.
What Are the Different Types of Acne?
Acne can present in different forms, including blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts. Blackheads and whiteheads are mild forms of acne that are caused by clogged pores that remain open or closed, while papules and pustules are more severe acne types that are caused by bacteria that contribute to inflammation and redness. Nodules and cysts are the most severe form of acne and can lead to scarring if untreated.
Does Drinking Water Help with Acne?
Drinking water can help with acne in a variety of ways. Skin hydration is key when it comes to helping reduce acne breakouts and improving the overall appearance of your skin.
Proper water intake helps to keep skin healthy and clear by flushing out toxins from our body that can contribute to blocked pores, which may lead to further breakouts.
Drinking adequate levels of water helps support the optimal functioning of our bodies systems, as well as promote fast healing from existing blemishes.
According to leading experts in dermatology, increasing your daily water consumption can greatly reduce inflammation from acne pimples, as well as decrease bacteria that contribute to acne breakouts.
Therefore drinking enough water regularly should be part of any comprehensive acne treatment plan, especially for those who are prone to frequent or severe outbreaks.
How Much Water Should You Drink to Help Clear Acne?
Drinking water is known to help acne in many ways. When it comes to the amount of water that you should drink, 8 glasses of water a day is generally recommended as a good starting point.
This will ensure that your blood sugar levels are balanced while keeping your skin hydrated and healthy.
Increasing your water intake can also help reduce what is known as toxins and excess sebum in the body, which can contribute to acne breakouts.
Water can also help flush these toxins away from your body and cleanse the system, producing healthier looking skin whilst flushing out impurities that could be causing outbreaks.
Drinking enough water throughout the day helps keep the skin hydrated and nourished, which, in turn, is beneficial for reducing acne symptoms.
It’s important not to overdo it, as something like drinking too much or too little can have an adverse effect on how much water you need every day; however, increasing your daily intake gradually could be an effective way of ensuring that you don’t end up dehydrating yourself.
To get maximum benefit from drinking enough water, try and make sure you try and spread out small amounts evenly throughout the course of each day, rather than drinking large amounts at once if possible.
Can Drinking Water Help Fade Acne Scars?
Although drinking water doesn’t directly cause a decrease in the appearance of scars, it does allow skin to maintain optimal conditions for cell rejuvenation by providing an adequate amount of water that each skin cell needs.
The cells will be able to repair itself faster when given this necessary resource, thus reducing acne scars over time.
When you drink more water, it also helps reduce the appearance of acne and pimples, as it flushes out toxins from our body that contribute to their formation.
By hydrating your body with a sufficient amount of water, you replace the lost moisture in the skin and soothe inflamed areas caused by acne breakouts or scarring.
Taking care of yourself by drinking enough water daily is essential to keeping your skin looking its best and preventing long-term recurrence of acne and pimples on the face or other parts of the body due to poor hydration habits.
Can Dehydration Cause Acne?
Proper hydration throughout the day helps your skin to maintain a healthy balance of moisture, which can reduce acne breakouts.
Studies have shown that drinking water may improve overall skin health, as well as reduce pimples and skin inflammation.
Drinking plenty of water may not completely cure acne, but it will likely contribute to fewer outbreaks over time.
Not only does drink more water hydrate the body and make the skin appear healthier, but it also ensures that all other organs are functioning properly, since they need an adequate amount of liquid to do their jobs efficiently.
By making sure the body is continually replenished with enough fluids, you can be confident that all parts can work together harmoniously to achieve optimal results for your individual health needs and concerns.
If you find that dehydration is causing your skin irritation or frequent breakouts, then increasing your intake of fluids could be beneficial in reducing these symptoms and improving your overall complexion.
How Does Hydration Support Skin Health?
Drinking water can help acne-prone skin in a number of ways. It helps to maintain healthy skin by keeping it hydrated, allowing the skin to maintain its natural barrier and preventing moisture loss.
Proper hydration also aids in maintaining healthy skin cell rejuvenation, supporting an overall healthy complexion.
Drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day is recommended for optimum health benefits. The water you drink helps to flush out toxins in the body and can assist with moisturizing your skin from within.
Regular hydration helps keep wrinkles at bay due to its plumping effect on the outer dermal layers of your skin; this prevents sagging and cracking that can occur due to lack of moisture retention.
What Are the Benefits of Keeping Your Skin Hydrated?
Keeping your skin hydrated can help prevent dryness and flakiness that can lead to clogged pores and acne. In addition, hydrated skin can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and keep the skin looking firm and youthful.
When Should You Consult a Dermatologist for Acne?
If you have severe or persistent acne that does not improve with over-the-counter treatments, you should seek the advice of a dermatologist. A dermatologist can provide a personalized treatment plan to help improve your acne.
What Are Some Tips for Staying Well Hydrated?
Drinking plenty of water every day can affect how we look and feel overall. It is important to stay hydrated to help support skin cell rejuvenation and collagen; this can help with the reduction of wrinkles.
Drinking an adequate amount of water can also help clear up acne. Staying hydrated can help increase your energy levels, improve alertness and aid digestion.
Some tips for staying well hydrated include;
- drinking a glass of water when you wake up in the morning
- carrying a reusable bottle throughout the day so that you are reminded to drink water regularly
- aiming for 6–8 glasses per day
- avoiding caffeinated drinks such as coffee or soda, which make it harder to stay hydrated
- replace sweet drinks with fruity herbal teas or naturally flavored waters
- always have a glass of water right before bedtime
Not only will these tips ensure that your body is well nourished, but it will also benefit other areas of health like improved skin clarity and fewer breakouts.
Summary
Overall, drinking water can help improve your overall skin health and reduce the likelihood of acne.
While it is not a complete acne treatment and should not replace traditional treatments, staying well hydrated is an important component of maintaining healthy skin. Remember to drink enough water and follow a consistent skin care routine to keep your skin looking clear and healthy.

Hi, my name is Gemma, and I’m the owner of MakeupMuddle.com. I’m a true beauty obsessive, and love writing about anything to do with beauty – I have been a beauty writer since 2012.
As well as owning Makeup Muddle, I also own GemmaEtc.com, and love sharing my thoughts and feelings about the greatest (and not so great) beauty products!