If you wash your face too often, you can risk drying out your skin. Dry skin can become irritated and potentially lead to more breakouts. And the same goes for exfoliating.
Traditional bar soaps have the same effect on the skin because they often disturb the skin's acid mantle (which only inflames it more). If proper hydration is not restored and the skin remains in this state, the skin will overcompensate with high oil production levels. This can start the acne process all over again.
“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.”
If you're seeing pimples appear after starting a new product that does not include ingredients that commonly cause a skin purging effect, those bumps may be due to blocked pores from your new cosmetic. Redness and itching may be signs of an allergic reaction to the product.
Purging breakouts look like tiny, red bumps on the skin that are painful when touched. Often, there may be whiteheads and blackheads that appear along with the bumps.
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.
Drawbacks of cold water for skin
In time, using cold water exclusively may result in an increase in breakouts and pimples, especially if you already have acne-prone skin. Dr. Colbert explains that for those with sensitive skin or certain skin conditions like rosacea, icy cold water could also cause a mild flare-up.
You may be using unnecessary products. "Some people may just not be genetically predisposed to breakouts or may produce less [oil],” says Batra. If that sounds like you, you may actually find your skin looks better when you ditch your cleanser.
Usually, it occurs due to several things such as an unhealthy lifestyle, rarely exercising, eating too many high-calorie foods, consuming fatty foods, excess stress, and lack of sleep. Unfortunately, this condition is often ignored and not immediately corrected so that in the end only triggering more acne to your skin.
Cleansing Alone Isn't Enough for Acne
Good skin care means removing dirt, excess oil, and makeup. It can help to keep your pores from being plugged up. Still, water and a simple soap or face wash aren't enough to clear up acne. Think of your twice-daily cleansing as a first step in treating your acne.
Washing your face several times a day can further irritate your skin, leading to more breakouts. What to do instead: Wash your face twice a day — when you wake up and before you go to bed. You'll also want to wash your face when you finish an activity that makes you sweat.
“If you have acne-prone skin, you should wash your face at least twice a day,” says Dr. Obayah. “A foaming cleanser can be helpful for oily skin and it's important not to skip out on using moisturizer when you have oily skin (lack of moisture can lead to your skin overproducing oil to keep it hydrated).
If your skin feels dry and tight after you cleanse, you are using an inappropriate facial cleanser. The dry, tight feeling you experience after using the wrong facial cleanser occurs because the cleanser has stripped your skin of its natural oils and compromised your skin's pH level.
"A morning shower is a great way to stimulate your skin cells, which is particularly important for combination and oily skin types, as well as skin prone to acne," she explains. "Oils can build up on the skin during the night, and a morning shower can help to clear those pores."
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.
To treat while you go about your day — or as an overnight measure — spritz any affected areas with a body treatment spray immediately post-shower. Try the SLMD Acne Body Spray with salicylic acid for an easy and effective backup to any existing skincare systems.
Prevents Pimples and Acne. Certain kinds of toxins will clog your small pores on your epidermis and can cause issues like acne and pimples. By drinking more water, you ensure that you won't suffer from severe pimples and acne. The more hydrated your skin, the less your pores will clog.
When your pores tighten up, bacteria and dirt can get trapped, and overtime, this can cause blackheads and acne breakouts. 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.
Warm water can increase your body temperature and make you sweat. This helps get rid of the toxins and impurities from the body and thus prevents the growth of acne.
Generally speaking, dermatologists say purging should be over within four to six weeks of starting a new skin care regimen. If your purge lasts longer than six weeks, consult your dermatologist.
First, you should see a noticeable difference in your skin's appearance. If your skin looks and feels healthier, then your skincare routine is likely working. Second, you should feel good about your skin. If you feel confident and comfortable in your own skin, then your skincare routine is likely working.
Before you throw that product into the trash, we would like to tell you that your skin might be getting worse before it's getting better and this phenomenon is called “skin purging.” Skin purging is completely normal and in a way, it is the natural way of your skin clearing out or detoxing.