Plenty of websites and blog posts claim you can use cold water to close your pores. While this can help soothe irritated skin, cold water won't affect your actual pore size whatsoever.
Shrinking pores is cold water's primary superpower. Essentially, this water temp can work as a natural astringent (toner), helping pores to look less visible while also locking in your skin's natural oils.
Well, there you have it, the pore myths are finally debunked! Ice doesn't shrink pores and heat doesn't open pores.
You can steam your face, splash it with ice-cold water, or cover it in a warm compress—but your pores still won't open or close. They never have and they never will. So why is this beauty myth so prevalent?
Cold water closes pores, which tightens the skin. It is also gentler on your hair and prevents hair fall.
Use cold water regularly to wash your face as it will slow down the aging process and helps to fill out the wrinkles on your face. - It also helps you get rid of the harmful effects of sun's rays, as cold water tightens and protects the pores that gets opened up when the skin is exposed to sun's harmful rays.
Lukewarm water is advisable to wash your face with, but cold water has its benefits, too. Cold water tightens the appearance of your skin, so it may make you look renewed and refreshed. It also helps boost your circulation, which can help give your skin a healthier appearance, albeit temporarily.
Results: There are 3 major clinical causes of enlarged facial pores, namely high sebum excretion, decreased elasticity around pores, and increased hair follicle volume. In addition, chronic recurrent acne, sex hormones, and skin care regimen can affect pore size.
Exfoliating acids are going to be your best friend when it comes to actively minimizing the appearance of pores. "AHA and BHA exfoliating toners both work well," says Butler. She likes to look for products with a high concentration of salicylic acid or glycolic acid.
Since hot showers open up your pores, it only makes sense that cold showers tighten your pores. So which is better: hot or cold? It's all about your individual needs. If you're prone to dry skin, a cold shower will help you retain natural oils in your hair and keep your skin hydrated.
The goldilocks temperature
Although an occasional splash of cold water might benefit your complexion, for the most part you should be aiming to wash your face with lukewarm water. Lukewarm water will work with your cleanser to remove dirt and bacteria from your skin, all without being overly stripping and drying.
Bad news first: You can't actually change the basic size of your pores. But here's the good news: You can do plenty of things to help minimize their appearance. Although your basic pore size can't be changed, there are plenty of ways to help minimize their appearance.
There isn't anything out there that's going to shrink pores instantly, but you can cleanse your pores to remove any dirt that can be making them more noticeable. You can cover your face with makeup to get a temporary impact, but oftentimes this will only clog your pores even more.
A buildup of dead skin cells, oil or dirt can clog pores. Possible causes include: Dry skin or skin that produces extra skin cells. Face products, like cleansers, lotions or cosmetics.
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.”
All you have to is take a bowl filled with icy water and dip your face in it for a good 30 seconds and with a soft cloth, mildly dab your face. Do it twice or maximum thrice, once in the morning and evening.
Hot water also opens your pores, making it easier to clear out the excess oil. When you finish washing your face, splash it with ice cold water. This will close up the pores and tighten the skin, keeping it clear of oil and grime for longer.
While hot water is said to strip away our natural oils and dry the skin out, cold water helps to constrict blood vessels to temporarily tighten pores and reduce redness.
Just splashing your face with cold water can reduce the fine lines and wrinkles on your face considerably. * It also helps refresh the skin, and take care of dullness.
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.