We have all heard the advice that drinking 8 glasses of water per day will lead to better health and better skin. While no one is exactly sure where this idea started, health professionals seem to agree that it is a myth and simply not necessary for a healthy body or healthy skin.

In an article published on RealSimple.com, Katie Rodan, a dermatologist in the San Francisco Bay area and a coauthor of Write Your Skin a Prescription for Change explains, “humans aren’t like plants. Our skin doesn’t perk up when we consume water.” Rather, when you drink it, “water doesn’t go straight to the skin,” she says. “It goes through the intestines, gets absorbed into your bloodstream, and is filtered by kidneys. Then it hydrates cells.” When it comes to hydrating the skin directly, there appears to be no scientific link between drinking water and hydrated skin.

So what can you do to keep crucial moisture in your skin? According to Fitness Magazine, Jessica Wu, M.D., a clinical instructor of dermatology at the University of Southern California suggests, “[k]eep dry skin under control by applying lotion right after you take a shower.” she says. This will trap moisture on your skin and slow evaporation.

While 8 glasses a day may not be necessary, water is still crucial for a healthy body. After all, we cannot survive without it. Moreover, water helps our brains function, maintains our energy levels, aids in our digestion, and generally keeps our bodies healthy. So drink up…but don’t worry so much about counting those glasses!

Read more here: RealSimple.com: “True or False: Drinking Water Will Hydrate Dry Skin.”

Read more here: Fitness Magazine: “Can Drinking Water Improve My Skin?”