The only constant in your skin care regimen is that your face should always be washed. Cold water is always preferred over hot water when washing your face. However, have you ever given this thought: is cold water better for face washing than warm?
We’ll discuss whether washing your face with cold water is recommended as well as whether it’s true that cold water is bad for your skin in the sections that follow.
Benefits Of Washing Your Face With Cold Water
The benefits of washing your face with cold water are as follows:
- One of the most important benefits of using cold water for the face is that it does not strip your skin of its natural oils and moisture.
- Your blood can better flow to the various areas of your face as a result of your pores becoming tighter. You appear more radiant and healthy as a result.
- Your skin is awakened when you splash cold water on it in the morning. By constricting blood flow to the puffy cheeks, it lessens morning puffiness.
Disadvantages Of Washing Your Face With Cold Water
Using cold water to wash your skin could be harmful in a few ways.
- Your skin pores might become smaller if you splash cold water on them. Washing your face with cold water could narrow the opening through which dirt and bacteria could exit if those pores are already blocked by these factors. Because of this, they might get stuck inside the skin and cause breakouts.
- Warm water may be more effective at dissolving the oily substances on your face than cold water. Increased breakout frequency and pore blockage may result from this.
- Some people may experience an abrupt change in the appearance of their skin, making it redder or drier after using cold water on their face.
The disadvantages of washing your face with cold water include these. However, if you intend to use it anyhow, here is a quick tip to help you avoid some of these drawbacks. You can wash your face with warm water, then immediately spray it with cold water.
But this method of washing your face is not one that adheres to scientific principles. You can just give it a shot and see if it works for you.
Is It Okay To Use Cold Water To Wash Your Face?
It is always preferable to wash your face with cold or lukewarm water. There is a ton of anecdotal evidence supporting the benefits of washing your face with cold water, but there aren’t many studies to back this up.
You should check the temperature of the water you are using to wash your face in addition to the pH level of the water. It is harmful to use such water on a regular basis because extreme water temperatures can have negative effects on the skin, like drying out or making it redder.
What Can Cold Water Do To Your Skin?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), splashing cold water on your face will not only help you wake up in the morning but can also act as an astringent, reduce puffiness, and leave your skin feeling revitalized.
Having said that, you should try to refrain from washing your face with a lot of cold water because it does not thoroughly clean the skin. Your pores are made tighter by cold water, which can cause dirt and bacteria to become trapped in your skin.
What Effects Does Hot Water Have On Your Skin?
While taking a steaming hot shower or washing your face can feel quite soothing at the moment, it’s not the best choice for your skin. Piping hot water can make your skin more sensitive and dry it out, depriving it of essential natural oils.
If you already have dry or oily skin, this could be very uncomfortable. Oily skin may produce more oil as a reaction to having its natural oils stripped away, making you look overly shiny or, worse, causing an unwelcome breakout.
How Hot Should The Water Be For Your Skin?
The ideal temperature is lukewarm, so adjust the thermostat so that it is a little bit warmer (or cooler) than the room. The American Academy of Dermatology advises that for the best face washing experience and overall skin health, use water that is moderately warm.
By using lukewarm water, you can make sure that your facial cleanser gets the right amount of foaming action, removes enough dirt from the skin’s surface, and balances your natural skin oils.
Control The Temperature, Revive Your Skin
So there you have it, the solution to the cold-water problem is just as straightforward as the solution to any other skincare problem: pay attention to your body’s needs. Try different water temperatures to see how your body reacts, then adjust the temperature as necessary to protect your body from harm.
Choosing the proper face and body wash products can be of great assistance, in addition to determining the ideal temperature and adjusting it as necessary.
Your body gets all the organic resources it needs for healthy function when you use the right skincare products, which also prevent dryness and maintain moisture.
Tips For Keeping Your Face Clean
- Be gentle. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you should wash your face with your fingertips and then pat it dry with a soft towel.
- Wash away sweat. After any exercise, according to Beal, you should wash your face because sweat can clog pores.
- Stay hydrated. Make sure you drink enough water each day to keep your skin hydrated. Eight 8-ounce glasses per day are advised by health experts.
- Use products wisely. Your skin type will determine which ingredients to look for in a face wash. The majority of cleansing products with active ingredients don’t stay on your face long enough to be fully effective. Use a mild cleanser on your skin instead, followed by serums and lotions containing the active ingredients you require, such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, vitamin C, and others.
The Bottom Line
Try washing your face in cold water if you want your skincare routine to stand out. There are many advantages to washing your face with cold water. It’s crucial to keep in mind that using water that is too cold risks damaging and drying out your skin. The majority of skin care requirements, however, should be addressed with lukewarm water.