I Drank a Gallon of Water Every Day for Clearer Skin…And This Is What Happened

Ever wonder if drinking a gallon of water a day can benefit your skin? We did! Our editor took the challenge and drank one gallon of water every day for a full month to test the theory that it could give you clearer, better-looking skin. Did it work? Find out below! 

It was like any other Monday. Heading home for the day, I decided to test my luck with NYC traffic and hail a cab instead of my usual (and often frustrating) bout with public transportation. Not surprisingly, roads were blocked off, and a trip that should’ve taken no more than 15 minutes was looking closer to 35. Add in the fact that my bladder—under an immense amount of pressure from a near gallon of H20—felt like it was going to burst somewhere along Lexington Avenue. That was day 1 of the “Water Gallon Challenge” for me. 

I’m a notoriously big drinker…of water, that is. Foolishly, I thought my camel-like drinking habits would have turned this “challenge” to drink a gallon of water per day for a month into a cake-walk. But I learned—and quite quickly—that drinking a gallon of water sounds a lot easier than it actually is, even for a seasoned water-drinker like me. Have you tried chugging water when you’re not thirsty, like, at all? It’s really hard! But I was determined—even if it meant a little bit of misery—to discover if the end result would yield me radiant skin from the inside out. Hundreds of trips to the bathroom later and I’ve lived to tell the tale. Was I left with clear, flawless-looking skin after drinking 30 gallons of water in 30 days? Keep reading to find out!

Day 1

As previously mentioned, day 1 was rough. It felt like my bladder was in constant panic mode. Not to mention, I was so hyper-focused on finishing all 128 ounces that I found it difficult to focus on much else. Luckily, my bladder did not give out on me (much to the delight of my cab driver, I’m sure), but the pain was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Here’s to hoping the next 29 days are a little bit easier…

Day 8

I know the ins-and-outs of my office bathroom like the back of my hand. I’ve become so used to seeing those white tiles I almost wish I had a change of scenery. I still had to actively remind myself to drink water because if I lagged too much, I would end up needing to chug the remainder of water at night, which was a bad idea for two reasons. Reason #1: Drinking water too quickly gave me a stomach ache. Reason #2: I’d be woken up mid-slumber with an unbearable urge to pee, something I never experienced prior to this challenge.

Day 15 

I made it to the half-way mark—yay! Believe it or not, I’m actually starting to crave water. Could drinking more water actually make me feel thirstier? At least the stuff is free at work, I thought. I’m not noticing any significant changes to my skin, but I do feel like I’m waking up with more energy in the morning.

Day 22 

By now, I haven’t seen a deep amber shade of urine—a possible indicator of mild dehydration—for a very long time. Reaching the daily water quota has gotten a bit easier to achieve, though I resist saying that I’ve gotten fully used to it. I also started to infuse my water with fruits and herbs—recipes can be found here—to give my taste buds something more to look forward to! 

Day 30

And I’m done! I’d say that the month flew right on by, but it actually felt more like four months’ time. I certainly feel hydrated and a bit more energetic, which are two great bonuses for overall health. But unfortunately, I can’t report any positive changes in my skin. I did notice a decrease in the number of stray pimples on my complexion, but I can’t tell for sure if that’s thanks to the water consumption or a new cleanser. 

My Verdict

Drinking a gallon of water per day, every day, for 30 days is not the path I’d suggest to you if you’re trying to achieve clear skin. Aside from my lack of positive results and the constant strain on my bladder, I think it’s a bit too much water to drink on the regular—for me, anyway. Don’t get me wrong: Drinking water and staying hydrated is incredibly important. Instead of pushing yourself to the limit to reach a certain number of ounces per day, listen to your body and drink an amount that feels right for you. Maybe challenge yourself to drink a bit more than you usually do. If flawless skin is what you’re after (I mean, who isn’t?), you’re better off sticking to a solid skin care routine that includes cleansing, moisturizing, exfoliating, and applying SPF, as well as paying frequent visits to your dermatologist.