FASHION X NEUTROGENA
Water can make you happier and healthier. Jump in and go with the flow!
Your body needs eight glasses of water a day, but don’t sweat it: We have products and tips to keep you hydrated.
W ater. It makes up 71 per cent of the earth’s surface and up to 60 per cent of our bodies. Aside from oxygen, there’s nothing we need more to survive. According to researchers at the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Connecticut, it may also make us happier. In one study, they found that women who were mildly dehydrated after a workout reported mood changes, poor concentration and headaches. Another bonus to drinking water is that it may help you lose weight. Scientists at Humboldt University of Berlin measured people’s metabolic rate after they drank 500 millilitres of water. They noticed an increase in the rate within 10 minutes, noting that it reached a maximum of 30 per cent after 30 to 40 minutes. It’s also a good idea to drink water 30 minutes before you eat. A study conducted by the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise at Virginia Tech found that people who drank 500 millilitres before a meal lost 4.4 more pounds over a 12-week period than non-water drinkers.
CLEAN SLATE
THE NEUTROGENA HYDRO BOOST EXFOLIATING CLEANSER ($10) GENTLY CLEANS YOUR SKIN, REMOVING DIRT, OIL AND DRY SKIN.
NOURISH
Staying hydrated isn’t just about drinking eight glasses of water a day. Approximately 20 per cent of your daily H2O intake comes from the food you eat. Try quenching your thirst with a handful of blueberries (85 per cent water), carrots (88 per cent water) or cauliflower (92 per cent water).
SWEAT IT
Just by breathing, you lose an average of 250 millilitres of water each day. If you work up a sweat, you lose even more. After a one-hour workout, you can lose several litres of water. Here are three signs you may be dehydrated:
1. You feel tired and sluggish when you start your workout.
2. You have cramps. Drink 30 millilitres of water for every 10 pounds of body weight one to two hours before you work out. 3. Your resting pulse rate may be higher than normal for you. So drink up! Plus, it’s a great excuse to stop and catch your breath.
8
IS THE MAGIC NUMBER
when it comes to water. You’ve heard the rule: Drink eight 250-millilitre glasses each day to prevent your skin from being dry, tight and flaky. (Dry skin is less resilient and more prone to wrinkling.) SMOOTH
The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask ($4) contours to your skin and seals in the formula for optimal absorption.
MOTIVATE
Ulla—a blinking water-bottle attachment—is a personal hydration coach that keeps tabs on how often you drink. If you forget to drink, the device blinks to let you know it’s time for a sip.
RAW WATER The hot new trend to hit Silicon Valley isn’t a mind-reading robot or a matchfinding app—it’s water. Millions of dollars are being invested in start-ups that promise to change the way we drink. Because what they’re selling isn’t just any water; it’s raw. In the age of the conscious consumer, we seek products that feature the words “unprocessed,” “natural” and “pure.” With raw water, you’re getting something that’s straight from the source. Collected from springs, wells and rain barrels, raw water is served unfiltered and untreated. But this idea that anything that comes from the earth is inherently better can be dangerous. Natural water can contain biological contaminants such as parasites, bacteria and viruses—which is why filtration systems exist. So if you’re fortunate enough to have access to clean water, we suggest you avoid these “off the grid” options and go for the tap instead!