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.”
"Cold water tightens the skin's pores, which doesn't allow the natural secretion of sebum and acne-causing bacteria," says Neil Sadick, MD, of Sadick Dermatology.
"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...
Similarly, hot water can sometimes be inflammatory, especially if you're dealing with conditions like acne or eczema. So a hot shower can leave you with a face that looks redder than when you got in. Cool water on the other hand can help to relieve inflammation, giving your skin the chance to calm down.
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.
While a cold compress can minimize inflammation and make pimples less noticeable or painful, it will not remove the contents inside a pimple.
The main cause of an overproduction of sebum is hormonal imbalances, including as a result of puberty and pregnancy. “As well as hormones, heat, exercise and genetics play a part,” says Kate Kerr, acclaimed clinical facialist.
Increased production
Hormonal medications often increase sebum production. This includes testosterone, some progesterones, and phenothiazine. Parkinson's disease has also been associated with an uptick in sebum production.
Hormonal medications, such as antiandrogens, could be effective in reducing sebum production. In one study , dermatologists used spironolactone to treat oily skin in females. They found that their skin produced less sebum.
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.
While warm water will not actually open up your pores, it can help clean out the gunk, grime and sebum that has accumulated inside.
Washing your scalp with warm water is the first step in removing sebum clogs from your head. After that, use a gentle shampoo and massage your scalp with your fingertips. This aids in the removal of all hardened and dried sebum from the scalp. Sebum build-up occurs on the scalp rather than on the hair strands.
Furthermore, the myth of cold water being able to shrink the size of pores has been proven false, since pore size is decided completely by genetics. However, cold -but not too cold- water does still have its benefits for the skin. Cold water causes blood vessels to contract, creating a tightened feeling.
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.
Sebum is the waxy, oily substance that protects and hydrates the skin. Sebum is vital for keeping the skin healthy. However, too much sebum can lead to oily skin, clogged pores, and acne.
"Our skin is busy repairing itself overnight with increased cell repair and regeneration occurring, so there's truth to 'beauty sleep' and waking up with great skin," she says.
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.
Use a Cleanser with Salicylic Acid.
Remove excess impurities and sebum with a charcoal acne cleanser with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid helps dissolve the dead skin cells and oils clogging pores that might lead to large sebaceous filaments.
One of the best properties of ice is anti-inflammatory that helps reduces and heal acne. It calms and soothes inflamed skin and minimizes the size of your pores. It also reduces the excess sebum production that is the main culprit behind acne.
Reduces excessive oil
Oily skin comes with its set of problems and excessive oiliness is one of them. Applying ice cubes on your face controls excessive oil production. Since rubbing ice constricts skin pores and oil-producing glands, your face look less oily and makeup stays on longer.
Rose water helps maintain the pH levels of your skin. It controls excess sebum production, which makes the best rose water for oily skin.
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?
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.