Should Cold Water Be Used to Wash Your Face?

Skin care 101 calls for daily face washing.

By doing this, dirt, debris, and bacteria are removed, leaving the skin clean and revitalized.

When you’re confused of how frequently you should wash your face each day, which products to use, or even what water temperature to use, things may become confusing. Lukewarm? Hot? Cold?

This article will examine whether using hot or cold water is better for skin and offer you advice on how to wash your face properly.

 

Skin and Cold water

Skin benefits from cold water washing are numerous. One of these potential advantages is the prevention of acne.

Sophia Knapp, a certified cosmetologist at the skin care and cosmetics brand Oxygenetix, explains that this is because hot water removes the oils that can result in outbreaks.

Because of this, “it might encourage your skin to produce even more.” Cold water can effectively control oil levels in this situation.

For some skin issues, including rosacea, cold water could be preferable. Your skin appears redder when you use hot water because it encourages blood vessels to dilate more.

 

Benefits of cold water

Consider these benefits of cold water before diving in.

According to Knapp, cold water might be especially helpful for dry or acne-prone skin. “Hot water can strip your sebum levels (oils) and exacerbate the problem if you have chronically dry skin, so cold water is a good substitute.”

Many factors, including minimizing the appearance of pores and deplumping the face, make this good for skin.

Cold showers, defined as any shower with water below 70°F (21°C), have a number of additional health benefits..

Improved circulation, more endorphins, and a boosted metabolism are some benefits of cold showers and any sort of hydrotherapy.

 

Disadvantages of cold water

There are certain disadvantages to washing your face with cold water.

According to Knapp, “cold water tightens your pores, allowing bacteria and debris to get trapped and not be removed as quickly as with warm water.”

She suggests cleansing your face first with lukewarm water to get rid of any makeup and impurities from the day. In order to constrict pores and encourage blood circulation for a healthy glow, finish with a cold water rinse.

 

Cold vs. Hot

Still feeling hot and cold about what water temperature to use on your face? This breakdown of the pros and cons of cold water should help.

 

Washing your face with cold water increases blood flow

• According to research, this stems from cold exposure sending blood flow to the exposed area.
• In turn, increased blood flow provides the skin with better protection from free radicals, such as pollution, and may give your skin a healthier glow.

Your face may not be as clean

• Since excess oils are not dissolved in cold water, your face will not be as clean as it could be. This can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.

• Anne Beal, MD, MPH, a physician, skin care expert, and CEO/founder of AbsoluteJOI Skincare, adds that a lot of the cleansing ingredients in your skin care products are designed for use with lukewarm water.

 

Why Warm Water Might Be Best

Cold water minimizes puffiness, but warm water helps you plump, which makes your pores appear smaller, according to Beal.

The American Academy of Dermatology advises using lukewarm water to wash your face.

Given that hot water strips your skin of the protective oils that aid in retaining moisture, it’s the ideal compromise for all skin types.

RELATED: 8 Surprising Causes of Dry Skin

The improved absorption of your skin care products is another advantage of washing your face with warm water.

It’s crucial to choose a temperature and maintain it. Beal warns that if you subject your skin to extremes in water temperature, such as going from hot to cold, you run the danger of bursting the tiny capillaries beneath your skin.

 

How often should you wash your face?

You should typically wash your face twice a day, in the morning and at night. Over-washing might actually irritate and dry up your skin.

 

“We collect an alarming amount of bacteria on our pillowcases, so a quick cleanse in the morning before your moisturizer is important,” says Knapp.

According to Beal, that morning wash is crucial since it helps lessen the puffiness that we frequently experience right after waking up.

Knapp continues by saying that a midnight wash is necessary to remove any makeup and dirt that accumulated on your skin during the day.

 

Tips for Keeping Your Face Clean

• Be gentle. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using your fingertips to cleanse your face and patting dry with a soft towel afterward.
• Wash away sweat. Beal says that you should wash your face after any workout since sweat can clog pores.
• Stay hydrated. Keep your skin hydrated by consuming enough water per day. Health experts recommend eight 8-ounce glasses per day.
• Use products wisely. The ingredients you should look for in a face wash depend entirely on your skin type. Beal explains that most cleansing products with active ingredients don’t sit on your face long enough to be fully effective. “Instead, it is better to use a gentle cleanser on your skin, then use serums and lotions with the active ingredients you need, like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, vitamin C, and others.”

 

Final Thoughts

Try washing your face in cold water if you want to make a statement with your skin care regimen. This has various advantages, including tighter pores, the prevention of acne, and a more alert-looking face.

The majority of skin care requirements, however, should be addressed with lukewarm water.

To find out what’s ideal for your particular skin needs, you can also consult a dermatologist or other skin care expert.