The Downsides Of Washing Your Face With Water That's Too Hot (Or Cold)
If you’re looking to achieve calm and happy skin, it might be time to rethink how you wash your face.
Many of us wash our faces with hot water to open and clear our pores, finishing with cold water to close them. Not to mention, hot water just feels so relaxing on the skin, especially in the shower. But can exposing your skin to extreme temperatures do more harm than good? We spoke with dermatologists to find out how bad it really is to wash your face with hot water.
First of all, your pores don’t actually open or close.
Contrary to popular belief, pores don’t open and close like windows when exposed to hot or cold water. “The truth is, pores do not have muscles, so they cannot physically open or close in response to temperature,” said Dr. Hannah Kopelman, who has a focus in dermatology. “Hot water may temporarily loosen oils and debris on the skin, making pores appear cleaner, but it doesn’t actually change their size. On the other hand, cold water might temporarily constrict blood vessels, giving skin a tighter appearance, but it doesn’t shrink pores either.”
While pore size is mostly determined by genetics, there are a few other factors that can make pores appear more noticeable. “In some individuals, sebaceous glands are larger at baseline. In other individuals, sebaceous glands increase in size with age,” explained Dr. Sara Hogan, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Cosmedica Dermatology. “Hormones can also influence the activity of sebaceous glands. Age and sun-related damage to the skin can lead to a loss of skin elasticity, which can affect structures in the skin. In all of these instances, pores can appear to be more prominent.”
So what’s the perfect temperature for washing your face?
Cleansing your skin with hot water might feel soothing, but it can strip away natural oils. Since these oils help lock in moisture and keep the skin hydrated, exposing your skin to hot water can reduce its ability to retain moisture, leaving it more sensitive and prone to dryness, redness and irritation. “Over time, it can exacerbate conditions like eczema or rosacea and contribute to premature aging by damaging collagen and elastin,” explained Dr. Nicole Lee, a dermatologist and owner of Epoch Dermatology.
That doesn’t mean cold water is the answer for washing your face, either. Exposing your skin to hot or cold temperatures can create unnecessary stress. “Using water that’s too cold to wash your face can feel refreshing and temporarily reduce puffiness, but it may not cleanse as effectively or allow skin care products to absorb well. Over time, this could lead to clogged pores and less effective skin care,” Lee said.
For optimal skin health and to get the most out of your cleanser, dermatologists agree that comfortably warm water is the way to go. “Lukewarm water is ideal for cleansing as it effectively removes dirt, oil and makeup while preserving the skin’s natural oils, allowing skin care products to absorb better,” Lee explained.
Are any skin types better suited for hot water?
The short answer is no.
Those with certain skin types and conditions like rosacea or eczema can be more sensitive to water temperature, and may find that hot water exacerbates redness and irritation. “Hot water can dilate blood vessels, which can worsen flushing in rosacea-prone skin,” Kopelman said.
But even if you don’t have sensitive skin, washing your face with hot water isn’t doing you any favors. “Generally speaking, I caution against using hot water on the face, regardless of skin type,” Kopelman explained.
While warmer water — not hot — can help dissolve excess sebum for those with very oily skin, it’s important to avoid temperatures that are too high, as this can trigger increased oil production as the skin tries to compensate for the dryness caused by having its barrier stripped. “While there might be a slight benefit in using warmer water for oily skin, it’s crucial to keep it within a moderate temperature range,” Kopelman advised.
Is it ever OK to wash your face with cold water?
Washing your face with cold water offers its own set of benefits.
“Cold water can help to soothe inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for conditions like rosacea or after certain dermatological procedures,” Kopelman said. “It can also reduce morning puffiness by constricting blood vessels, giving the skin a refreshed appearance.”
However, because cold water is not as effective at removing oils and thoroughly cleansing the skin, Kopelman suggests starting with lukewarm water to cleanse and, if desired, finishing with a splash of cold water to invigorate the skin.
These skin care habits help maintain optimal pore health.
Though enlarged pores are a common concern, there’s no way to actually change their size since they’re genetically determined. But with a combination of good skin care habits, you can help minimize skin stress and maintain healthy pores.
Along with cleansing twice a day using noncomedogenic products to remove dirt, oil and makeup without clogging your pores, protecting your skin from the sun with broad-spectrum sunscreen can reduce stress from ultraviolet radiation. Regular exfoliation also helps smooth the skin and make pores appear less noticeable.
“Mild chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid can help keep pores clear by dissolving sebum and dead skin cells,” Kopelman said. “Additionally, hydration is key. Using a suitable moisturizer keeps the skin barrier intact and prevents overproduction of oil.”
Check out these dermatologist-recommended face washes.
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Amazon
A famed hydrating cream cleanser
The CeraVe hydrating cream cleanser may be one of the most recommended cleansers at HuffPost and, as someone with extremely dry who can't handle the oil-stripping effects of most foaming washes, it's my cleanser of choice.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick claimed that this non-foaming, fragrance-free and milky cleanser effectively gets rid of dirt and buildup without leaving the skin feeling dry and without the use of any harsh surfactants.
"It contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin as well as ceramides [to] support and strengthen the skin barrier," Garshick said.
Target
An ultra-gentle soap-free cleanser
Garshick said that this ultra-mild, soap-free cleanser is specifically formulated for sensitive skin types and is free of common irritants found in other cleansers such as fragrance, dyes, parabens, formaldehyde and other preservatives.
"It’s gentle enough to be used every day and can remove makeup and excess oil, without drying the skin out," she said.
Sephora
A skin-barrier-supporting oil cleanser
Board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner previously explained that “the goal of cleansing is to remove soil from the outer skin layer without disrupting your skin barrier." Using a hydrating lipid complex, this milky and fragrance-free cleanser by Skinfix — a cleanser we formerly chose based on his guidance — works up a rich lather and helps restore ceramides and fatty acids within the skin.
Amazon
A foaming cleansing oil
Another foaming cleanser on our list comes at the suggestion of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, who said that this fragrance-free oil cleanser by French pharmacy staple brand, LaRoche-Posay, is an excellent choice as part one of a double cleanse to remove makeup, sunscreen, debris, and particularly useful for those with dry or sensitive skin.
Shirazi noted the gentle and hydrating ingredients like shea butter, redness-reducing niacinamide and glycerin, a dermatologist-trusted humectant that draws moisture into the skin.
Sephora
A non-drying antioxidant cleanser
Makeup artist Kierra Lanice previously recommended this cult-favorite gel cleanser by Youth to the People, which is rich in phytonutrients, antioxidants and superfood extracts that help support skin's pH balance and address visible signs of premature aging caused by environmental stressors. Additionally, the inclusion of ingredients like spinach can soothe stressed out skin and impart essential fatty acids to the skin.
Sephora
A gentle lathering jelly with cantaloupe extract
"Formulated with nourishing ingredients like cantaloupe extract, a gentle surfactant blend, glycerin, and virgin marula oils, [this] helps break up makeup and impurities while simultaneously hydrating and soothing the skin," Shirazi said of this lightweight jelly cleanser by Drunk Elephant that can address skin concerns like redness and irregular skin texture. It's also rich in fatty acids and antioxidants to help address signs of premature skin aging.
Amazon
A gentle jelly cleanser with ceramides
According to Garshick, Skincare Junkie's delightful jelly cleanser contains a blend of ceramides to support a healthy skin barrier as well as soothing cucumber and niacinamide to help tackle everything from redness to skin dullness. She added that the fragrance-free, skin-softening and pH-balancing formula is good for all skin types.
Amazon
A purifying foam cleanser
"This [fragrance-free] foaming cleanser works to effectively reduce oil and washes away dirt, makeup and debris," Garshick said. "I love that it contains the La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal spring water, ceramides as well as niacinamide to support the skin barrier, minimizing the potential for dryness or irritation. It can be used once or twice daily."
Unlike the other La Roche-Posay cleanser on this list, this one works into a rich lathering foam while promising not to strip the skin of all its natural and essential oils.
Amazon
A foaming version of the classic hydrating cleanser
If you love the gentle-cleansing and hydrating promise of CeraVe's original cream cleanser from above, but prefer the feel of a lather, then this new take on the classic might be worth a try. Recommended by Shirazi, this cream-to-foam formula is gentle and doesn't strip skin of its natural moisture, according to the dermatologist.
"Formulated with three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and amino acids, it works synergistically to cleanse and hydrate the skin effectively. Additionally, it is very cost-effective, making it an excellent choice for maintaining healthy skin without breaking the bank," she said.
Amazon
A clarifying acne cream cleanser
According to Garshick, this Cetaphil clarifying and fragrance-free cleanser can be a good option for someone who is oily and acne-prone, but also has sensitive skin.
"The gentle cream-to-lather [formula] uses salicylic acid to help clean out pores and reduce breakouts and oil, without drying out the skin," she said.
Amazon
A maximum-strength benzoyl peroxide wash
New York City-based and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Y. Claire Chang, once recommended this foaming acne wash that features a concentration of 10% benzoyl peroxide, the highest amount of benzoyl peroxide you can get over the counter. Chang loves it for its maximum strength antimicrobial properties that kill acne-causing bacteria and lift dirt from pores.
Amazon
A glutamic acid cleansing foam
Celebrity aesthetician and dermatological nurse Natalie Aguilar previously recommended this mousse-like cleansing foam by French favorite skin care brand Avène. She likes it for the inclusion of zinc, which is soothing and calming, toning and mattifying glutamic acid, and thermal spring water that soothes and hydrates the skin (because oily skin still needs water). It's formulated to minimize the risk of allergic reactions, won’t clog pores, is soap-free, paraben-free, alcohol-free, mineral oil-free and vegan. It’s a lightweight cleansing foam that gently removes makeup, dirt, excess oil and other impurities while soothing skin for a clean and calm complexion.
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Amazon
A breakout-fighting cleanser that's safe for sensitive skin
Chang previously recommended this dermatologist-developed, benzoyl-peroxide-infused cleanser by Differin. It's specially made to gently cleanse acne-prone and sensitive skin without irritating or drying it out. It absorbs excess oil and moisturizes without clogging pores, delivering a deep clean that won't strip the skin.
Amazon
A pro-collagen cleansing balm
This luxurious cleansing treatment was formerly suggested by Garshick, who said the unctuous formula leaves skin feeling moisturized and soft. Packed with a blend of oils and waxes, this cleanser nourishes like a balm, removes impurities like an oil and hydrates like a cleansing milk. It also happens to be a HuffPost editor favorite that remains at the top of our list for effective cleansing balms.
Sephora
A melt-away cleansing balm
Shirazi previously suggested the Farmacy Clearly Clean solid-to-liquid cleansing balm for its nourishing properties, natural source of enzymes and its ability to be used safely around the eyes. "The new formulation is fragrance-free and doesn't contain any sensitizing essential oils or polyethylene glycols, so it's a great option for all skin types," Shirazi said. This is another cleansing balm that's made it into the HuffPost hall of skin care fame and is mainstay in my own personal cleansing collection.
Amazon
A nourishing balm-to-milk cleanser
"This transformative cleansing option goes from a balm to an oil and rinses off as a milk, helping to eliminate makeup, dirt and sunscreen without leaving the skin feeling dry or irritated. It also contains evening primrose oil, jojoba seed oil and pear fruit and together helps to balance and nourish the skin," Garshick previously said of this paraben-free cleansing balm meant to be suitable for all skin types. A blend of antioxidants inside this formula helps aid in protecting skin from damaging free radicals and provides skin-conditioning properties.
Amazon
An omega-rich cleansing balm
Zeichner previously recommended incorporating into your routine a milk cleansing balm, which can do a much better job of breaking down grime than face wash alone. Based on this guidance, we found this skin-softening balm by Paula's Choice, which contains both jojoba and meadowfoam seed oils — omega-rich ingredients that can regulate the skin's oil production and address rough texture. Just massage it into the skin to melt away makeup and debris, then follow with a face wash.
