Your body is 60 percent water. Your skin -- the largest organ in your body­ -- contains half of that total. So, it doesn’t take a medical degree to understand how important hydration is to your overall wellness, right?

There are countless health benefits to drinking water throughout the day: kidney function, brain health, joint lubrication, digestive health, weight loss, and the list goes on. But proper hydration not only will keep your skin healthy, it will also help you look more radiant and youthful.

Just like the organs inside our body, skin needs sufficient moisture to function properly. Skin is made up of three layers: outer layer (epidermis), underlying skin (dermis) and subcutaneous tissue. If the outermost layer of the epidermis doesn't contain enough water, skin will lose elasticity and begin to feel rough. 

A healthy epidermis stops harmful germs from entering our body and also prevents water to evaporate from the skin.

“The cells in the membrane can also absorb water, but that doesn’t mean you can lie in a pool of water and absorb it or drink it and have anti-aging success,” said Alok Vij, MD, a dermatologist with the Cleveland Clinic. But proper hydration can help skin’s overall tone. “If you are dehydrated, the outermost layer won’t contain enough water and skin won’t spring back if you push on it,” he added. “If you rehydrate, your skin bounces back.”

Topical products such as lotions and creams are excellent ways to keep your skin hydrated. Supplements such as biotin and collagen can help keep your skin healthy. And, according to one study, drinking water is an effective method to moisturize your skin.

How much water do you need? The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is about 11.5 cups a day for a healthy woman living in a temperate climate and 15.5 cups for a man.

Here are five ways drinking water will help your skin health:

Reduces Puffiness

Does the skin around your eyes look puffy sometimes? It actually may be retaining water to protect you from dehydration. Blood vessels tend to enlarge when there is not enough water in the system, which can lead to puffiness in the face.

Helps Prevent Acne

When your skin is dry, dehydrated cells build up and retain oil. The excess oil can lead to blocked or enlarged pores, which can cause a breakout of acne. If you notice pimples developing on your forehead or near the ears, it could be a sign of dehydration.

Enhances Skin Tone

Drinking water throughout the day helps your body flush out potentially harmful toxins that can leave your skin dry and dull looking. Staying hydrated will help increase blood flow and keep your complexation looking clean and vibrant.

Reduces Wrinkles

Let’s be honest: Chances are we are going to get wrinkles and fine lines on our face as we age. But we can minimize the appearance of aging by simply staying hydrated. Water helps increase the elasticity in our skin and helps it maintain moisture longer.

Tightens Skin

As you age -- or if you have experienced a sudden loss of weight -- your skin can begin to sag. Drinking water helps restore the skin’s elasticity and helps prevent sagging, and it helps tighten the skin in areas of the body prone to sagging such as the jawline, thighs, waist, upper arms and thighs.

There are obviously many other benefits of having a water bottle nearby, preferably an environment-friendly container that’s reusable so we keep plastic out of landfills. Water is a must when we are training or taking on endurance events, keeping us hydrated so we can perform at our peak. It’s a big key in weight loss plans, keeping your stomach full with basic H20. It’s how to get through a hot summer day. There are just too many overall reasons to list here.

Hydrating skin could use some more attention, though! From preventing the signs of aging to giving you radiant, younger-looking skin, water can help eliminate many skin issues. Some even say it’s like drinking from the fountain of youth.