What's the Best Water Temperature for Washing Your Face?
Posted on August 17 2022
Have you ever wondered whether it’s better to wash your face with cold or hot water? Let’s break it down.
You might put a lot of effort into choosing the right cleanser (we have some great options for all skin types!), but the temperature of the water you’re using may be an afterthought—it’s time to change that.
The general consensus—and the official word from the American Academy of Dermatology— is that you should use lukewarm water when washing your face. Why not hot or cold? The high temperature of hot water can worsen or trigger skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, and acne and also strip your skin of natural oils and moisturizers leading to dryness and inflammation. And while it’s true that the low temperature of cold water can help calm inflammation, acne-related irritation, and skin puffiness, it is ultimately less effective at cleansing your face of pollutants and bacteria—it can even cause your pores to contract and trap impurities beneath the skin’s surface. If cold water is your thing, don’t fret—a splash of cold water is a-okay first thing in the morning or after washing your face with lukewarm water first.
To sum it up—wash your face with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water both morning and night, and you’ll be looking your most radiant.