Deeper Beauty: Hydration

Black and white portrait of a man wearing a suit on a white background

Written by Jonathan Lane Associated Director of Research, Innovation, and Translational Science

What’s the world’s most abundant resource?

Accounting for over 70% of the earth and around 60% of every human being on it, the answer is…water.

You’d be forgiven for thinking this means our collective thirst would be quenched. But in reality, most of us don’t drink nearly enough. And when you consider we’d lose the ability to think, move, sweat and survive without it – this is more than a little surprising.

So, in this Aurelia blog, we’re looking at one of the most beneficial yet strangely neglected aspects of any good beauty routine – hydration.

Every cell, tissue and organ in your body relies on water to function properly. So, hydration is completely crucial. But this sometimes feels like one of life’s little quirks – it’s so crashingly obvious, perhaps that’s precisely why it’s often overlooked.

So, it’s worth reminding ourselves that the (almost endless) health benefits of hydration range from improved brain function, cell regeneration and digestion to enhanced physical performance, disease prevention and even help with hangovers. And that’s without even mentioning the central role it plays within skincare.

It’s only logical that the most abundant resource on earth would have a huge impact on the largest organ in the human body. In fact, some would argue that nothing influences the health and vitality of your skin more than water. And dehydration can certainly accelerate fine lines, wrinkles and dullness.

But this isn’t a competition. We’re just saying if it was, we’d forgive water for feeling quietly confident. After all, we literally can’t survive without it. And, trust us, there’s several beauty brands who’d love to include that tagline in their promotional materials.

The beauty benefits of staying hydrated

Supports Cellular vitality
Hydration is central to the microscopic cellular interactions that define how plump, radiant and resilient your skin appears. From cell repair and collagen synthesis to DNA replication and protection against oxidative stress – staying hydrated helps absorb, dissolve and transport the vital nutrients your body needs.

Strengthens the skin barrier
Water maintains and strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier – a protective shield that keeps environmental stressors, like pollution, bacteria and harmful UV rays at bay. What’s more, when your skin is hydrated it swells, for a plump, firm and youthful appearance far less prone to redness, blemishes and breakouts.

Boosts circulation
Staying hydrated also improves blood flow which delivers oxygen and essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals to your skin cells. This enhanced circulation is quickly visible on the surface – giving your skin a vibrant, natural glow.

Maintains elasticity
Sustained, regular hydration is crucial for maintaining your skin’s elasticity: the ability to stretch and still return to its original shape. This is what keeps your skin smooth, supple and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

Flushes out toxins
Your body relies on water to flush out daily toxins – typically from stress, food or the environment. This process is critical to maintaining supple skin, healthy hair, strong nails and reducing the build-up that can lead to clogged pores, inflammations and acne.

Guards against greasy skin
If your skin becomes dehydrated, it often responds by producing more sebum – potentially leading to an oily complexion, clogged pores and acne. By simply staying hydrated, you help balance your body’s sebum production and reduce the chances of skin breakouts.

In essence, water behaves similarly within the body as it does outside. It washes things away, whisks things along with it, and – when required – feeds, repairs and revitalises almost every living thing. So, proper hydration is central to any skincare routine – from keeping your skin plump, moisturised and protected to improving circulation, flushing out harmful toxins and reducing the risk of breakouts.

What is proper hydration?

It just means the amount of water you should be drinking each day. We should all be drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water each day – which is between 1.5 to 2 litres – taking on more in the heat, when exercising or pregnant.

If that sounds like a lot, remember that little and often makes things much more achievable – as well as helping your body maintain a steady hydration level throughout the day. If it still sounds like a lot, remember that tea, coffee and even low-fat milk count too. And if it still sounds like a lot, then hydrating foods are your friends – from cucumbers and strawberries to spinach and watermelon – they not only contribute to that daily total but deliver a dose of daily cellular vitality via essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

In summary

Proper hydration lays a solid foundation for stronger, firmer skin that’s far less susceptible to the visible signs of ageing. But it’s not enough on its own. Any good beauty routine should be a holistic mix of proven practices – incorporating diet, exercise, mindfulness and more – alongside the daily beauty staples we all swear by.

And the Aurelia collection supports hydration at cellular level with natural, active ingredients that promote barrier health and improve moisture retention from within.

Absolute Beauty and Collagen Revive are proactive, preventative daily supplements that leave your skin hydrated, vibrant and rejuvenated by delivering lasting change at cellular level. Rooted in science, created with clean, natural ingredients and designed for lasting results you can see and feel.