Water is an integral part of your physiological makeup. Two-thirds of your body is made up of water. If you lose more fluid than you take on, you’ll suffer from dehydration. It’s a condition with devastating consequences. Lack of water affects every area of the body, including the joints, eyes, digestive system and the skin.

The signs of dehydration are clearly visible when it comes to your skin. During the winter, these can be even more severe, and winter skin problems are common for many. Thankfully, ensuring that you stay hydrated regularly is a fast remedy. You can increase the amount of water you drink by setting a reminder alarm, set to go of at regular intervals. You can also boost your water intake by carrying a large water bottle, and taking sips from it throughout the day.

The consumption of filtered water in particular has a variety of positive effects on the condition of your skin. Read on, to find out more about how filtered water makes your skin better. Discover five of the most common winter skin problems and how water can solve them.

Dry skin

Although many people with dry skin experience the effects of dehydration all year round, during the winter months keeping your skin lubricated becomes more of a priority. Other winter-specific factors will further reduce the amount of sebum (your skin’s natural lubricant) being produced, resulting in a drier texture than usual.

As well as adopting a good skin care routine and moisturising more regularly during the winter months, increasing your water intake will keep your skin supple and in balance – even if your skin naturally produces less sebum.

Oily skin

What if your skin has the opposite problem and produces too much sebum? Oily skin is just as much of an issue as dry skin during the winter months, due to dehydration. If your body is dehydrated, signals will be sent to your brain to produce more sebum, a response that will cause your skin to be oiler than usual. Strike the right balance for your skin and wider body by drinking water regularly to avoid dehydration.

Chapped lips

Chapped lips are unfortunately part and parcel of the autumn and winter months. Exposure to wind and cold air causes lips to become sore or dry, meaning many people have to take extra precautions to seal in moisture. More moisture is lost via the lips than any other part of the body. But as Livestrong details, drinking water could be just as re-hydrating as the regular application of your favourite lip balm:

“Water helps to hydrate the inside of your body. The small amount of water left on your lips after a cool sip, however, can linger on your lips and maintain fluid balance. MedlinePlus recommends drinking additional fluids during winter months because the cold air tends to zap the moisture right out of your skin and lips.”

Cracked hands and feet

It’s not just the skin on your face that will be affected by lack of water during the winter months. Your hands and feet harbour fewer sebaceous glands, meaning these areas can get very dry and cracked without the right care or hydration. Keep severe dryness on the hands and feet at bay by improving your water intake.

Redness and irritation

You may be susceptible to extra redness and irritation all over your body due to plummeting temperatures, but don’t let the cooler weather get the better of you. As well as adapting your skin care routine to the climate, make sure you meet your skin’s hydration requirements by drinking more water.

Staying hydrated is so important, whatever the season. What impact could drinking water (and only water) have on your body and its complexion? Find out what happened when we took the water only challenge.