We know about the importance of drinking water and staying hydrated in order to keep all our internal body systems in optimal condition. But hydration is also extremely important for your skin. 

Your skin is your body's largest organ... it protects you from external factors, regulates your temperature, prevents moisture loss and stores a lot of your protein, fats and minerals. So you need to make sure you look after it!

But hydration is not just about how much water you drink, it is also about how you look after your skin. Daily moisturising and using sun protection is crucial... as is eating healthy food rich in essential fatty acids.

Some of the key effects hydration has on your skin are...

1. Maintains pH balance - a good pH balance on your skin can help support a clear, healthy complexion. The natural skin surface pH is on average 4.7 which is mildly acidic. The reason for an acidic pH is to help keep moisture in and minimise the potential for bacteria to invade. If your skin is too alkaline, or too acidic you can experience a variety of conditions, such as flakiness, redness or inflammation.

2. Minimises fine lines and wrinkles - when you are well hydrated, your skin looks refreshed and maintains a plump appearance. This can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, reduce the severity of scars and slow the signs of ageing. 

3. Flush out toxins - juice cleanses might be a popular way to flush toxins from your body, but drinking water and maintaining your hydration is just as beneficial. And when you remove toxins you support your overall health and wellbeing... this includes a fresh, clean complexion.

4. Reduces breakouts - following on from flushing out toxins, good hydration also helps to reduce the occurrence of breakouts. Toxins often clog pores and cause pimples and blackheads, so keeping up your hydration levels can really improve your skin tone.

5. Boosts elasticity - dehydrated skin can often appear sullen or sagging. If you increase your hydration your skin elasticity can quickly return. This is often most noticeable around your eyes... if they are darker than normal it could indicate your skin needs some extra hydrating.

So, fill your water bottle, pour yourself a cup of tea or enjoy a few sips of lightly flavoured mineral water and gives your skin some extra hydrating love!