Hot or Cold Shower for Skincare: Which is Better?

Hot or Cold Shower for Skincare: Which is Better for Your Skin's Health?

It may seem counter-intuitive, but the temperature of your shower water can have a major effect on your skin health. Is it better to take a hot or cold shower for optimum skincare benefits? We have the scoop! 

Warm showers are often seen as the most comfortable temperature range, with plenty of skincare benefits that make them desirable beyond comfort alone. Some of the advantages associated with warm showers include improved circulation throughout your body and better moisturization on your skin.

Taking a warm shower can boost collagen production, clear out toxins, and help balance oil levels in your skin, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and looking refreshed. Another vital contributing factor to your skin’s health is, getting enough sleep or following a good skincare routine.

The Benefits of Warm Showers 

Feeling exhausted by the end of the day? Before you opt for a hot shower, take a moment to consider how it may effect your skin. Can taking a hot or cold shower make all the difference in maintaining good skincare? Let’s dive into these not-so-simple questions!

Though warm showers are usually quite comforting, there are many unexpected benefits beyond its relaxing effect. Warm showers can actually boost collagen production and help balance natural oil levels in your skin. Plus, they improve circulation throughout your body and provide excellent moisturization to keep your skin looking healthy and refreshed. 

Great for the Pores

On one hand, hot showers might seem like the perfect solution to decongesting your pores and promoting better skin health in general; on the other, is it possible that too much heat can do more harm than good? 

The debate between hot and cold water for skincare runs deep, with proponents for each side strongly advocating for their preferred temperature choice. While a warm shower does have plenty of benefits such as improved circulation and increased levels of moisturization, it’s important to remember that too much heat can be damaging. In fact, some of the long-term effects associated with taking very hot showers include dryness, irritation, inflammation, even wrinkles! 

Stress-Relieving

From massages to therapeutic baths, we all have our go-to methods of relieving stress. However, it is possible that the answer to better skin and improved mental health could be as simple as turning up the temperature in your shower! 

We get it - this hot topic can arguably go on and on especially with its both sides hold some truth. It gets hard to deny that warm showers are quite comforting, there are other benefits beyond this; they can actually boost collagen production, help balance natural oil levels in our skin and provide excellent moisturization.

On the flip side, cool or lukewarm showers can also be beneficial by helping to reduce inflammation and calm down irritated skin; some evidence suggests that washing with cooler temperatures may even have a calming effect on our psychological stress response - something especially crucial when dealing with skin issues such as acne or eczema.

Killing Bacteria Effectively

When it comes to our skin health and overrall wellbeing, the debate between hot and cold water for a skincare routine continues to seem complicated. While there are undeniable benefits that come with warming up your shower, such as calming down irritated skin or boosting collagen production, evidence suggests that hot water may also have an unexpected edge - killing bacteria more effectively than cold. 

This is especially important if you have acne-prone skin; with the help of higher temperatures, breakouts can be cleared quicker and prevented from spreading further. So next time you’re feeling stressed out, maybe turn up the heat for more than just a relaxing bath - you could be helping ward off those dreaded pimples in the process!

The Negative Effects of Hot Showers for the Skin

Even though there are a number of benefits to taking a hot shower for skincare, there are also numerous drawbacks to consider as well. 

Dehydrating

From its comforting warmth to the potential of preventing breakouts, it’s no wonder hot water can be so appealing. But could turning up the temperature be ineffective for your skin? 

The answer remains well..complicated. Many swear by hot showers for moisturizing the skin, boosting collagen production and balancing oil levels; however, there are many just as passionate about cool or lukewarm temperatures which can effectively reduce inflammation, soothe irritation and even alleviate our psychological stress response.

When we take too long in a hot shower, though, we risk dehydrating our skin of it’s natural oils and leaving it more vulnerable to environmental factors such as UV rays. To get the best of both worlds, apply MD Glam’s surgeon-formulated Sunshout Sunscreen SPF 50 after your showers to protect against premature aging and other damage caused by overexposure to the sun. 

Inflammation-Causing

Even though a hot shower may relax your body and help you reduce stress, it can actually cause inflammation in the skin when it’s exposed to hot water for too long. 

This is particularly true for those who suffer from sensitive skin issues like rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis. Unfortunately, hot water can actually exacerbate these conditions, even if the warmer water feels more relaxing to the body. 

The Benefits of Cold Showers for Skincare

By now you should know that we weighed in heavily on hot vs cold showers for skincare and the benefits of both. So now makes perfect timing to share more key insight on additional benefits of taking cold showers.

Toning for the Skin

The toning nature of cold water is one such benefit - while many see hot water as the only way to enjoy a refreshing cleanse, opting for something cooler may have significant anti-aging effects by increasing elasticity and plumping skin cells, which can lead to a more youthful look and appearance.

But this doesn’t just apply to people trying to look their best-cold showers can be instrumental in helping reduce inflammation, soothe irritation and even help combat psychological stress responses too. So if you’re looking for ways to make your skincare routine as effective as possible, perhaps consider a dip in the chillier side of things!  

Inflammation-Reducing

One main difference between hot vs cold showers is that cold water can actually help calm inflammation rather than provoke it, unlike hot water.  

The cold water does a great job at soothing irritated skin and helping to reduce inflammation. So, it’s a good idea for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin to avoid any flare-ups or worsening of symptoms. 

Good for Circulation

The dispute of hot versus cold showers continues, but we brought a new perspective to the table with one of the lesser known benefits of cooler temperatures-improved blood circulation in the skin. 

This can lead to noticeably brighter and more youthful looking skin due to an overall reduction in puffiness and dark circles that often come with aged skin. To compliment this effect, why not take things a step further and use MD Glam’s illuminating Retinol-C Intense Eye Serum?! Its specialized formula helps tackle all signs of aging around the delicate eye area for a visibly firmer and smoother complexion.

It’s science meets beauty at its best, providing tangible results without having to sacrifice your comfort! 

Hydrates the Skin

Lastly, cold water can help seal in moisture to the skin, which can be very beneficial to those with dry skin, especially since hot water can only make this condition worse. 

The hydration that cold water provides pairs well with our Timeless Hydration Set, the perfect combination of moisturizing products to help your skin feel luscious and youthful. 

So, feel free to drench thirsty skin in this product that provides long-lasting succulence and vital nourishment morning and night. With a rich infusion of an innovative blend of antioxidants and hydrating ingredients, you’ll be reaching for this product at all hours of the day to achieve a nice, dewy glow. 

The Negative Effects of Using Cold Water for Skincare

With our insights on the practical applications for skincare, there’s also a few drawbacks to consider when it comes to cold showers. Let’s take a look at the negative effects that may surface from a chilly routine…

Not Cleansing Skin Effectively

Unfortunately, despite its many beneficial qualities for inflammation, applying cold water to the skin may not provide the same deep-cleansing action as hot water. Dr. Cat notes that this could mean an increased risk of breakouts, clogged pores, and other acne-related issues when using cold water exclusively.

Hot vs Cold Showers for Skincare–Which is Better for You?

The debate between hot and cold showers for skincare is complicated, and the best approach for you may vary based on your skin type and other needs. While how water is known for more effectively removing dirt and oil from the skin, it has the potential to be overly drying. On the other hand, cold water offers soothing effects but is not as effective at cleansing. Ultimately, Dr. Cat suggests trying both temperatures to determine which one yields better results for you.