Whether you follow a complex skincare routine or prefer a simpler approach, you know how important it is to you clean your face twice a day. This helps remove makeup, bacteria and excess sebum. However, you may not be sure of the correct water temperature to use.

What is better, hot or cold water?

Both options have their benefits for cleansing the face, whether it’s reducing inflammation or improving the absorption of skincare products. Let’s see which temperature is most suitable for your skin.

The Ideal water temperature

The general rule is to use lukewarm water to clean your face. Hot water can strip the natural oils that protect the skin, while very cold water may not be as effective at removing makeup and impurities.

The lukewarm water is hot enough to neutralize bacteria and remove oil, but also effectively cleans residue and make-up. Additionally, it can help open pores, allowing skincare products to penetrate deeper into the skin. At the same time, cold water can have benefits for people with acne-prone skin, as it can calm inflammation. Hot water, however, is always good to avoid.

Why avoid hot water?

Hot water can aggravate skin conditions such as rosacea, psoriasis and eczema, causing symptoms to flare up. Even if your skin is healthy, regular use of hot water can dry it out, stripping it of its natural moisture. This can lead to dryness, irritation and even increased sebum production, which in turn can cause acne.

When and how to use cold water

Although lukewarm water is the safest choice, in some cases cold water may be beneficial. For example, if you have acne-prone skin, cold water can help reduce inflammation and irritation. Also, cold water can reduce swelling, especially if you wake up in the morning with puffy eyes.

Therefore, the best practice is to use lukewarm water for your daily face wash, while you can resort to cold water when you need a quick, soothing effect.