"Hot water increases skin's microcirculation and activates our sebaceous glands, resulting in open pores and excess sebum production," she explains. And we all know what excess sebum production can lead to... spots.
On the other hand, if you have oily skin, constricting the pores with cold water may help to control excess oil so that your complexion doesn't get quite so shiny so quickly.
“Hot water strips the skin of its natural oils and healthy bacteria,” Grous explains, “which plays a major role in keeping moisture in—and the bad stuff out. And because dryness triggers the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, hot water can worsen preexisting acne or cause a breakout.”
Hot showers and baths can inflame the skin, causing redness, itching, and even peeling — similar to a sunburn. They also can disrupt the skin's natural balance of moisture, robbing you of the natural oils, fats, and proteins that keep skin healthy.
Don't shower in water that's too hot.
Cold water tightens your pores and reduces the overproduction of sebum and excretion of acne-causing bacteria. In contrast, hot water opens them and does the complete opposite, leaving your skin more prone to irritation.
Cold water can be especially beneficial for dry or acne-prone skin, says Knapp. “If you have chronically dry skin, hot water can strip your sebum levels (oils) and exacerbate the issue, so cold water is a good alternative.”
If you deal with acne you should shower and wash your face daily or a couple of times a day. This will help with breakouts. It also depends on your personal preference. If you feel better with a daily showering routine, go for it.
The cons of hot showers include:
By disrupting these cells, it creates dry skin and prevents the cells from locking in moisture. They can also make certain skin conditions worse. Higher temperatures make it easier for the skin to dry out and worsen conditions like eczema. Hot showers can cause you to itch.
Cold water will initially help constrict blood vessels in your skin to temporarily tighten pores and decrease redness and puffiness, she adds. What's more, cold temperatures boost circulation (it's your body's way of keeping warm). For your face, that might mean a healthy glow.
Your body's reaction to cold water puts added stress on your heart and could lead to an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia. “It's going to tax your heart in a way that could be dangerous,” says Carter.
The impurities lurking in your tap water and the high amount of minerals create a layer of soap on top of your skin and clogs your pores, contributing to breakouts. Your body wash should form a lather on your skin instead of creating a pore clogging soapy layer.
You're making the water too hot
The water temperature we bathe in is a personal preference for everyone, but if you tend to linger in super hot water for too long, you could be drying out your skin, which, over time, might make for more parched, acne-prone skin.
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Your skin reacts to the heat and sweat when your body temperature goes up. You may get these hives when you: Take a hot shower or bath.
Some skin conditions may require you to shower more or less often than the average person. For instance, someone with very oily skin, body acne, or hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) may want to shower every day (or sometimes even twice a day) to keep their skin clean or avoid body odor.
Hot water dissolves accumulated oil easily than cold water and, therefore, it is the most recommended. This makes it easy to remove all the excess oils on the skin. After washing your face with hot water, sprinkle cold water on it to tighten the skin.
Cold showers can help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, improve circulation, lower stress levels, and reduce muscle soreness and fatigue. Hot showers, meanwhile, can improve cardiovascular health, soothe stiff joints, and improve sleep.
Hot water takes away your scalp's natural oils, leaving it looking frizzy and brittle. Makes your scalp dry which leads to dandruff, irritation and itchiness. It makes your roots weak, leading to excessive hair loss and fizziness. It damages the texture of your hair which results in breakage and brittleness.
Use therapeutic hot water sparingly.
While it's an attractive and inviting way to let loose, be careful not to overdo it. When done in excess, they can age your skin faster.
If you like to linger in the shower for longer than 15 minutes, you might want to rethink your hygiene routine. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Edidiong Kaminska, MD, the recommended maximum shower time is about 5 to 10 minutes.
Sudden acne breakouts can be because of numerous reasons, including hormonal changes or hormonal imbalance, an unhealthy diet including lots of deep fried and junk food, release of cortisol hormones because of excessive stress, excessive production of sebum and much more.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Many doctors say a daily shower is fine for most people. (More than that could start to cause skin problems.) But for many people, two to three times a week is enough and may be even better to maintain good health.
Signs You Are Overwashing Your Face
Even if you have super oily skin or acne, you shouldn't be cleansing more than twice a day. Doing so will only cause more of what you're trying to avoid - a shiny face and breakouts.