What Is The Best Water Temperature To Wash Your Face?
Take a page out of Goldilocks and the three bears fairy tale. 🐻🐻🐻 Not too hot, not too cold but lukewarm is just right!
Why Not Hot? 🔥
I will first start by saying that hot water does not “open” pores for better cleansing. Pores do not have involuntary muscles and do not open and close. However, there is something that does dilate - your blood vessels. This causes the skin to become red and with long-term cleansing, with hot water, you can actually break those blood vessels causing permanent red splotches. Also, hot water “melts” sebum in the pores which robs the skin of natural moisture leaving the skin tight, dry, and possibly irritated.
Why not cold? 🧊
Cold water is simply less effective at breaking down dirt, oil, makeup, and skincare products on the skin. This can cause a buildup and can lead to clogged pores. I will add that a splash of cold water is great for reducing puffiness or calming inflammation in the skin and it doesn’t however “close” pores since again pores don’t open and close!
Why Lukewarm To Warm Is Best 💦
You get the cleansing benefits of the warmth breaking down the day’s gunk on your skin without stripping it. It’s just right! If you wash your face in the shower my tip is to wash your face last and turn down the water to the “just right” lukewarm temperature.
