Detox Water For Clear Skin: Benefits And 9 Easy DIY Recipes

This brand new twist with regular water can do your skin a whole lot of good.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Schwarzburg, MD Dr. Schwarzburg Dr. SchwarzburgMD insta_icon
Written by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma Arshiya Syeda BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma linkedin_icon Experience: 8 years
Edited by Ramona Sinha, MA (English Literature) Ramona Sinha MA (English Literature) linkedin_icon Experience: 11 years
Fact-checked by Monomita Chakraborty, MA (Journalism & Mass Communication) Monomita Chakraborty MA (Journalism & Mass Communication) linkedin_icon Experience: 4 years
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Everyone wants soft, hydrated, and healthy skin, and one way to achieve it is to drink enough water (1). We are not talking about regular water, though. We are talking about detox water for clear skin. Detox water has recently gained traction among those who want healthy and smooth skin from within. It is not only considered a great refreshing drink but is also a simple remedy for achieving clear, flawless skin. It can help you improve skin health with the right mix of fruits, herbs, and spices. If you are considering including detox water in your regular skin care regimen, you should learn about the benefits it offers. Keep reading to learn everything about detox water, its benefits, DIY recipes to make it at home, the best time to drink it, and the difference between detox water and infused water. Scroll down to check it out!

What Is Detox Water?

Woman drinking detox water for glowing skin
Image: Shutterstock

Detox water is plain water containing an assortment of sliced fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and even spices added to it. Due to the presence of such detox water ingredients, the water acquires its flavor. Sometimes, detox water is also referred to as fruit-flavored water.

Depending on the types of ingredients you add, your detox water can have a variety of flavors. Since detox water contains just the infused flavor of the fruits and vegetables, and they are not added in their juiced or blended form, such water has very few calories. This is what makes this liquid a preferred drink for certain detox diets.

Is Detox Water Good?

Water is free of calories and serves to keep the body hydrated. It is essential for maintaining good health. Water helps the body to gain back the fluids lost due to several reasons, such as sweating, metabolic activities, removal of waste, and even breathing. This liquid also protects the body from overheating, ensures healthy skin, lubricates joints, and boosts digestion (2), (3). However, everyone does not like the taste of plain water. Many people like to drink water when it has a nice flavor. In other words, detoxing water can help people drink more liquids, remain hydrated, and keep themselves healthy.

Drinking detox water improves your overall health. This, in turn, enhances your skin and gives you a radiant glow. Drinking detox water for the skin can offer added benefits for those seeking a beauty boost. Check out the benefits of detox water in the next section.

Benefits Of Drinking Detox Water For Skin And Health

Woman with hydrated skin from drinking detox water
Image: Shutterstock

Drinking detox water can offer many benefits for your skin and health. Among the major benefits of detox water are the following:

  • Keeps Your Skin Hydrated

When you drink detox water, it helps to keep your skin hydrated. Due to proper hydration, your skin becomes healthy and looks youthful (1). By maintaining skin hydration, you can keep your skin plump, supple, and soft to touch.

  • Reduces Liquid Calorie Intake

To stay healthy, you need to consume an adequate amount of fluids every day. Many people include carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks, artificially sweetened juices, squashes with added sugar, and other such beverages as part of their daily fluid intake. These fluids are often high in calories and low in nutrients and are not considered to be beneficial for the body (4).

By replacing such beverages with detox water, you can fulfill your daily fluid needs without worrying about loading up on unwanted calories. This is because detox water has no added sugar and contains very few calories. This low-calorie beverage can help to reduce your liquid calorie intake while keeping you hydrated.

  • Prevents Skin Issues And Disorders

Drinking less water can cause many problems for your skin. Your skin can become vulnerable to skin issues such as dryness, psoriasis, eczema, etc. Increasing your water intake can improve your skin physiology. It can increase skin elasticity, the loss of which can result in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and signs of premature aging (4), (5).

By drinking detox water, you can increase your water intake and help to keep all such skin problems at bay.

  • Improves Digestion

Wondering how to get clear skin? The easiest way is to get your digestion in check. This list of detox water benefits also includes good digestive health. When you keep your body well-hydrated, it helps to digest the consumed food and increase its metabolism. Water aids the movement of food through the intestines and ensures regular bowel movements. This prevents constipation and other health issues that arise when your food is not well-digested (6), (7). This, in turn, makes your skin look dull and tired. By drinking detox water and keeping your body hydrated, you can protect your body from such issues.

  • Helps To Reduce Weight

Detox water can help you lose weight. When you drink water, your metabolic rate rises temporarily. As a result, it helps you to burn more calories (8), (9). This stands true for detox water as well. When you drink about half a liter of water, your metabolic rate can increase by 30% and remain at the increased rate for around one hour (8), (9). When people drink sufficient water as part of their weight loss diet, they get better results in losing weight than those who do not do so (10), (11), (12).

An increase in your metabolic rate is not the only reason due to which drinking water can help you to reduce weight. When you drink water before you take your meal, you can reduce or control your hunger pangs (13). Since many people do not like drinking plain water frequently, detox water can help them to continue with their water intake plan.

  • Uplifts Mood And Enhances Energy Levels
Energetic woman out in nature
Image: Shutterstock

Dehydration, even when it is not very severe, can impact your mood and energy levels. You may also experience headaches, fatigue, sleepiness, and confusion due to dehydration (14), (15), (16), (17), (18). When your mood is not okay or your energy is low, you may feel irritated and frustrated. Lack of sleep and fatigue can also have a negative impact on your skin.

Drink enough detox water may help protect your mind and body from the impacts of dehydration. This can uplift your mood and increase your energy. This, in turn, can make your skin glow.

A study involving 901 participants aimed at exploring the consumption of flavored water or detox drinks. The study revealed that flavored water ranked as the fourth most popular beverage choice, after plain water, tea, and coffee. Furthermore, the most prevalent motivation behind consuming flavored water was a refreshing feeling, with 87.4% of participants, followed by thirst-quenching with 73.7% of participants, and then the taste 65.7%. Flavored water can provide a revitalizing effect, leaving consumers feeling uplifted and rejuvenated.

  • Boosts Brain Functioning

When your body is subjected to dehydration, it can have a considerable impact on your brain functioning. Due to poor fluid regulation, your brain can suffer a decrease in alertness and an increase in confusion. In such a state, the perception of task difficulty increases in your brain. You may also experience lower concentration (15), (16), (17), (18). Even mild dehydration of just 2% can impact your mental performance in tasks that need you to be attentive and apply your memory skills immediately (19).

Your mental performance is positively influenced when you drink enough water to prevent dehydration in your body (14). By drinking enough detox water, you can ensure that the cognitive abilities of your brain are not impacted.

  • Improves Physical Performance

If your body is dehydrated, it can negatively impact your physiological function and performance. As a result of dehydration, your body movements tend to slow down and become less graceful. This happens due to a lack of lubrication in your joints. When this lubrication is decreased, your nimble, rapid movements are impacted.

This is one of the reasons behind athletes and sportspersons keeping themselves hydrated. It enables them to remain swift in their movements and prevent feeling stiff when they are in action on the field or on the court. In other words, detox water can help you to stay hydrated and improve your performance during any physical activity or exercise. Getting sufficient physical exercise can improve your skin and make you look fresh.

  • Eliminates Waste

Your body eliminates wastes through various processes, such as urination, bowel movements, and perspiration. These wastes include the by-products of the metabolic activities carried out by your body, urea, and excess electrolytes. Water helps to remove these wastes from your body. When you drink water, it facilitates the production of urine and leads to waste elimination (3), (20).

Additionally, adequate hydration helps to flush out any harmful bacteria present in the urinary tract. By keeping your body hydrated, you also boost kidney functioning (5), (21). By drinking detox water, you can easily ensure that your hydration level does not drop down and your body eliminates waste easily.
This elimination of waste from your whole body including your skin refreshes and improves the appearance of your skin.

Now that you know all about the benefits of detox water, let’s check out how to make it.

  • How To Make Detox Water At Home?

It is very easy to make detox water at home. All you need is some fruits and vegetables of your choice and water. If you wish, you can also include herbs and spices in your detox water recipes. You can chop up the required ingredients based on the combination you are using and then put them in water. For ingredients like fresh herbs and berries, you can add them whole. The infusion will be stronger if you put more ingredients into the water.

You can use both hot and cold water for your detox water recipes. If you want to enjoy your detoxifying water cold, you can leave the infusion in your fridge for some hours. This will help your drink to cool down as well as the flavor to become strong since the ingredients will get time to infuse deeply. But, make sure not to keep your detox water in the fridge for more than 12 hours as the ingredients may start to decompose.

If you are short on time, you can crush or muddle the fruits and herbs before adding them to water. This will enable the flavors to release quickly.

Now, let, look at some easy recipes to make detox water at home.

9 Easy DIY Detox Water Recipes

Woman preparing detox water with natural ingredients at home
Image: Shutterstock

Here are a few easy recipes for detox water that you can follow at home and make detoxifying drinks.

1. Lemon, Cucumber, And Basil Detox Water

You Will Need

  • 10 slices of cucumber
  • 1 slice of lemon (cut in half)
  • 3-4 basil leaves
  • Filtered water

Procedure

  1. Add all the ingredients to a glass.
  2. Fill the glass with approximately 16-18 ounces of water.
  3. Cover the glass and put it in the fridge for approximately 10 to 12 hours.

Sarah, a lifestyle and food blogger, shared how her lemon, mint, and cucumber detox water helped clear her skin. She said, “I have been sipping this detox for a month now and I really feel like my skin has cleared up. I am in my 20s and I still get acne at time but I have not had anything in over 1 month (i).”

protip_icon Quick Tip
You can use cilantro or thyme instead of basil leaves if you don’t have them on hand.

2. Ginger, Lime, And Pear Detox Water

You Will Need

  • 2 slices of pear (chopped into small pieces)
  • 1 slice of lime (cut in half)
  • 1/4 inch of a thin ginger slice
  • Filtered water

Procedure

  1. Add all the ingredients to a glass. Make sure to use a firm pear for this simple detox drink as ripe pear can get mushy when infused in water.
  2. Pour approximately 16-18 ounces of water into the glass.
  3. Cover the glass and let it stand for about 12 hours before you drink it.

3. Mint And Orange Detox Water

You Will Need

  • 2 slices of peeled orange
  • 2-3 fresh mint leaves
  • Filtered water

Procedure

  1. Remove the pith from under the orange peel to ensure that the detox water does not turn bitter.
  2. Add both the ingredients to a large cup or glass.
  3. Pour water to fill up the cup or glass.
  4. Cover it and keep it in the fridge for about 12 hours.

4: Raspberry, Strawberry, And Mint Detox Water

You Will Need

  • 3 strawberries (cut into halves)
  • 6 raspberries
  • 3-4 small mint leaves
  • Filtered water

Procedure

  1. Put all the solid ingredients into a glass.
  2. Add approximately 16-18 ounces of water to fill up the glass.
  3. Place a cover on the glass and refrigerate it for about 12 hours.

5. Orange, Rosemary, And Fennel Detox Water

You Will Need

  • 1 slice of peeled orange
  • 1 slice of fennel
  • A small piece of rosemary (with about 8 to 10 leaves attached to the stem)
  • Filtered water

Procedure

  1. Remove the pith from the orange.
  2. Put all the solid ingredients into a glass.
  3. Add approximately 16-18 ounces of water to fill up the glass and cover it.
  4. Keep the glass in the fridge for about 12 hours.

6. Mint And Blackberry Detox Water

You Will Need

  • 10 to 12 blackberries
  • 4-6 mint leaves
  • Filtered water

Procedure

  1. Add both the ingredients to a glass.
  2. Pour approximately 16-18 ounces of water to fill up the glass.
  3. Cover up the glass and refrigerate it for about 12 hours.

7. Lemon, Mint, And Cucumber Detox Water

You Will Need

  • 6-8 slices of cucumber
  • 1 slice of lemon (cut in half)
  • A few fresh mint leaves

Procedure

  1. Add both the ingredients to a glass.
  2. Fill the glass with approximately 16-18 ounces of water and cover it.
  3. Place the glass in the fridge to steep for about 12 hours.

8. Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Water

You Will Need

  • 1-2 tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar
  • A glass of water
  • 2 slices of fresh lemon
  • 1 teaspoon of honey

Procedure

  1. Mix apple cider vinegar into a large glass of water.
  2. Add the slices of fresh lemon and a teaspoon of honey.
  3. Stir the mixture well and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.

9. Vitamin C Detox Water

You Will Need

  • 1 sliced medium-sized orange
  • 1 sliced lemon
  • 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger
  • 1-2 sprigs of fresh mint leaves
  • 1 liter of water

Procedure

  1. Add the sliced oranges and lemons along with grated ginger and mint leaves to a pitcher.
  2. Fill the pitcher with water and gently stir the ingredients.
  3. Allow the mixture to infuse for at least 1-2 hours in the refrigerator.
protip_icon Quick Tip
Additionally, you can add a 1-inch chunk of ginger root to amp up the detox benefits of this drink.

A few common myths have also often been associated with detox water. Debunk these misconceptions in the section below.

Myths Vs. Facts About Detox Water

  • Myth: Detox water flushes out toxins from the body.

Fact: The liver and kidneys naturally detoxify the body. Detox water supports hydration but doesn’t directly remove toxins.

  • Myth: Detox water leads to significant weight loss.

Fact: While detox water may reduce bloating, weight loss comes primarily from a balanced diet and exercise, not from drinking detox water alone.

  • Myth: Drinking detox water gives instant skin benefits.

Fact: Clear skin results from consistent hydration and a healthy lifestyle. Detox water may help but it does not work like a magic solution.

Here are a few tips that you need to keep in mind when preparing detox water at home.

Tips To Prepare Detox Water At Home

Woman enjoying detox water at home
Image: Shutterstock
  • Wash the ingredients thoroughly before you add them to the water.
  • Make sure to remove the pith before you add any citrus fruit to the water. Otherwise, your drink may turn bitter.
  • You do not have to follow the exact measurements for the ingredients when making your detox drinks. You can adjust the quantities as per your taste.
  • If you do not feel like drinking the water with the fruit or vegetable still infused in it, you can strain them out.
  • Always make your detox drinks in small amounts so that you can finish them within a day. This way, you prevent the chance of the ingredients turning soggy in the water.
  • Lastly, it is recommended to use organic fruits and vegetables in the detox water to avoid harmful pesticides.

When Is The Best Time To Drink Detox Water?

You can drink your detox water throughout the day, at regular intervals. Since detox water is good for hydrating the body, you can start your day with a glass of detox water. If you are planning to lose weight, you can form a habit of drinking a glass of detox water before you sit down for your meals.

Infused Water Vs. Detox Water

Detox water and infused water mean the same thing. When preparing detox water, you need to add fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices to the water. Such water, which is flavored with fresh ingredients, is also known as infused water. Many vegetable-infused drinks include cucumbers, mints, and lemons while fruit-infused drunks include oranges and strawberries.

Infographic: Lifestyle Changes To Detox Your Body

Drinking detox water may help you achieve clear skin. It helps solve several skin issues and improve your overall health and wellness. However, you should also make a few lifestyle changes to ensure the proper functioning of your body’s detoxification system.

Check out the infographic below to learn what changes you need to make to detox your body along with drinking detox water.

lifestyle changes to detox your body (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Detox water is a quick and easy way to keep your skin nourished and radiant. It also supports a healthy lifestyle as it is made of all-natural and healthy ingredients. Detox water recipes are also simple to make at home and are a great addition to your beauty regime. You may follow the recipes shared in the article and prepare detox water at home. You can rely on detox water to come to your rescue whether you are attempting to increase your water intake or keep your skin hydrated. Go ahead and try the recipes today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which drink is good for a glowing complexion?

Cucumber detox water is usually preferred for imparting a radiant glow to the skin. It helps with toxin elimination and gives the skin a glowy look.

Does detox cause pimples?

Yes, detox may initially cause pimples. It is because of the body’s response to the new change. However, it is completely normal, and the pimples subside after a few days.

Which detox water is best for acne?

Lemon water and honey, coconut water, and cucumber detox water help in the effective management of acne.

Key Takeaways

  • Detox water is naturally-flavored water and contains an assortment of sliced fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices.
  • Drinking it keeps your skin hydrated, tastes delicious, reduces liquid calorie intake, and prevents skin issues and disorders.
  • Drinking it before meals can help you reduce weight.

Illustration: Detox Water For Clear Skin: Benefits And 9 Easy DIY Recipes

detox water for clear skin_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team


Reduce acne scars with natural detox water. Take a look at the video below to learn how certain detox waters can help reduce acne spots. Also, learn about the best detox water recipes and understand why they work.

Personal Experience: Source

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Dietary water affects human skin hydration and biomechanics
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4529263/
  2. Water Hydration and Health
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908954/
  3. Water and Healthier Drinks
    https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/water-healthy-drinks/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/water-and-healthier-drinks.html
  4. Healthy Beverage Guidelines
    https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks-full-story/
  5. Yes drinking more water may help you lose weight
    https://hub.jhu.edu/at-work/2020/01/15/focus-on-wellness-drinking-more-water/
  6. Constipation
    https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/constipation
  7. Water in diet
    https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002471.htm
  8. Water drinking induces thermogenesis through osmosensitive mechanisms
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17519319/
  9. Water-induced thermogenesis
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14671205/
  10. Drinking water is associated with weight loss in overweight dieting women independent of diet and activity
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18787524/
  11. Effect of ‘water induced thermogenesis’ on body weight body mass index and body composition of overweight subjects
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24179891/
  12. Effect of excessive water intake on body weight body mass index body fat and appetite of overweight female participants
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25097411/
  13. Efficacy of water preloading before main meals as a strategy for weight loss in primary care patients with obesity: RCT
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26237305/
  14. Effects of hydration status on cognitive performance and mood
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24480458/
  15. Influence of progressive fluid restriction on mood and physiological markers of dehydration in women
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22716932/
  16. Do small differences in hydration status affect mood and mental performance?
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26290294/
  17. Mild dehydration affects mood in healthy young women
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22190027/
  18. The effects of fluid restriction on hydration status and subjective feelings in man
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15182398/
  19. Cognitive performance and dehydration
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22855911/
  20. Water a vital nutrient
    https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/water-a-vital-nutrient
  21. Keeping your kidneys healthy
    https://www.nhs.uk/page-removed/
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Dr. Schwarzburg is a leading authority in the field of minimally invasive cosmetic and laser medicine in New York City. He is an Ivy League school graduate with 7 years of experience in cosmetic dermatology and regenerative medicine.

Read full bio of Dr. Schwarzburg
Arshiya Syeda
Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief
Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda
Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

Read full bio of Ramona Sinha
Monomita Chakraborty
Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

Read full bio of Monomita Chakraborty
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