Why Drinking Water Is Crucial to Your Beauty Routine

Water may not be the first thing that pops into your head when you think of anti-aging skin care. But trust us, water plays a major role. Have you ever noticed how your skin looks dry, dull and flaky when you’re dehydrated? You may also notice that fine lines and wrinkles become more prominent. Drinking enough water hydrates and plumps up skin cells, making your face appear younger and your wrinkles less visible.

So how much water do you really need on a daily basis? Here’s an easy formula to remember: The amount of water you drink in ounces should be about half your weight in pounds. So if you weigh 140 pounds, you should drink about 70 ounces of water—that’s about 8.75 glasses of water a day. Of course this will vary according to how much you exercise and perspire. Another way to monitor whether you’re adequately hydrated is to check your urine color. Light yellow, like the color of lemonade, means you’re getting an adequate amount. Dark yellow, like the color of apple juice, means trouble.

A great way to ensure you stay hydrated all day is to bring your water with you wherever you go. But before reaching for a plastic water bottle, think about this: it's not good for you and it's definitely not good for the environment. Aside from potentially leaching toxic chemicals into the water you drink, it also takes 1,000 years to fully decompose, contaminating our soil and clogging our waterways. An easy solution? Buy reusable glass bottles! Scroll down to see what beauty editors and celebrities use (and swear by).

READERS—How has water helped you achieve beautiful skin and hair? How do you make sure you are drinking enough water every day?