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Hot or Cold Water: Which Should You Use?
We’re all agreed that daily skin cleansing is an essential, right? Washing your face removes impurities like dirt, debris, bacteria and leaves skin clean, clear and ready for your skincare.
It’s a twice-daily occurrence and we recommend always using a cleanser formulated for your skin type, but alongside that, should we use hot water? Cold water? Lukewarm water? Let’s dive in . . .
Hot water
A hot shower might feel amazing, but the truth is hot water isn’t great for skin. It strips away natural oils, making skin uncomfortably dry and irritated. This also leads to a compromised moisture barrier and that can show itself in myriad ways, including redness, dry patches, bumps and blemishes. Skin might also appear red directly after washing in hot water as blood vessels naturally dilate more in the heat.
Cold water
Cold water can be helpful for calming sensitised skin – just think about how soothing a splash of cold water can be when we feel hot and bothered. As well as cooling skin, cold water helps to reduce the appearance of pores and works to de-puff the face. You can even run a wrapped-up ice cube under the eyes for an instant de-puffing treat. If you can stomach a cold shower, you’re looking at a host of top-to-toe benefits including improved circulation, increased endorphins, and a boost to your metabolism.
Lukewarm water
While cold water is beneficial, it also has one significant drawback – bacteria and debris can get trapped as the pores tighten up, meaning skin is not properly clean. Instead, we recommend the middleman – lukewarm water. Start by gently washing your skin with lukewarm water to remove dirt, debris and makeup, but end with a splash of cold water to boost circulation and tighten those pores.
Choose the right cleanser
Your cleanser needs to remove makeup, dirt, pollution and excess oil, leaving your skin clean and ready for the rest of your skincare routine. There are a multitude of cleansing options available, so think about your skin’s needs and your lifestyle, for example, if you’re out and about in a city you’ll need something that rids skin of pollution particles. Everyone should be wearing daily protective SPF so that needs to be removed in the evening, and in the morning you’ll need to remove overnight sweat and last night’s skincare.
For All Skin Types
This mild foaming cleanser won’t strip skin, it’s pH-balanced and enriched with Squalane and Apricot Kernal Oil.
For Dry Skin and Makeup Removal
A cleansing oil that transforms to a milk when emulsified with (lukewarm) water. Gently removes makeup and leaves skin soft and replenished.
For Oily Skin
This foaming cleanser is quick to lather and leaves skin feeling refreshed without over-drying. It works to reduce excess oil on the skin’s surface, leaving it feeling clean and fresh. Ideal as the first step in a routine for oily skin types.
For Combination Skin
Made with soothing Calendula Extract and Glycerin, this deep cleaning face wash helps replenish and soothe skin without stripping it of essential moisture.
For Sensitive Skin
Our gentlest face wash has an ultra-mild, alcohol-free formula and leaves the skin feeling moisturised and soothed.
For Men's Skin
Enriched with Caffeine, Menthol and Vitamin E, this daily cleanser helps to revive awaken skin, giving tired-looking skin a healthier-looking appearance. Try as part of our no-fuss skincare routine for men.
