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.
Boosts circulation: Since cold water acts as a stimulant for the skin by boosting circulation, you'll find that your skin has a rosy glow when using colder water during cleansing. Helps with puffiness: A great trick in the morning if you wake up with a congested and puffy face.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing your face in lukewarm water. It's the perfect middle ground for all skin types, as Beal explains that hot water strips your skin of the protective oils that help hold in moisture.
Washing your face with cold water closes your pores. After washing your face with hot water, splash some cold water on it so as to close those pores. Splashing some cold water in your eyes can also soothe them.
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.
But, with this being said, you shouldn't overuse cold water in your cleansing routine. This is because cold water tightens up the skin's pores, and whilst this can be beneficial, it can also prevent effective cleaning of the skin.
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.
Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that does not contain alcohol. Wet your face with lukewarm water and use your fingertips to apply cleanser. Resist the temptation to scrub your skin because scrubbing irritates the skin. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
In the event that you wear a significant amount of makeup, consider applying ice to your face each morning before putting on your makeup. If you suffer from acne or similar skin blemishes, ice your face every other night before you go to bed.
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.
Your pores aren't muscles, so they can't voluntarily open and contract regardless of water temperature. “There is nothing that can physically make the pores smaller or bigger,” says Dr. Palep.
If you work out first thing in the morning, washing is a must (after your workout of course, not before). If, however, you don't, then washing your face in the morning is completely a personal preference. Just be sure to at least rinse your face with water in the morning if you choose to forgo a full cleanse.
The application of moisturising cleansing milk before bedtime hydrates your skin for the night and allows your skin to breathe. After you've applied the cleansing milk, complete the ritual by applying a toner that suits your skin type.
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.
Those with very dry skin or eczema will find that water-cleansing helps to retain the skin's natural moisture. However, persons with oily, acne-prone, or combination skin might need soap or liquid cleanser to dissolve excess oil which often clogs pores and causes breakouts.
Cold water closes pores, which tightens the skin. It is also gentler on your hair and prevents hair fall.
Thorough skin cleansing is important, but that does not mean that you should do it twice a day. More and more studies are showing the benefits of skipping morning cleanses. If you thoroughly clean your skin the night before using double cleansing method, there is simply no need to repeat the process in the morning.
"During the day, use a foamy cleanser in the morning followed by a good serum, moisturiser and sun block. At night, use a creamy cleanser to gently remove topical impurities to keep the skin hydrated," Dr Chhabra explains. Try Dermalogica Essential Cleansing Solution or Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser.
While a cold compress can minimize inflammation and make pimples less noticeable or painful, it will not remove the contents inside a pimple.