Hot water is generally not good for your skin. Using hot water to wash your face or body strips your skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and a compromised moisture barrier. This can worsen existing skin conditions and make your skin more susceptible to irritation.
The Negative Effects of Hot Water on Skin
Several sources confirm that hot water negatively impacts skin health. Here's why:
-
Stripping Natural Oils: Hot water removes essential oils (sebum) that keep your skin hydrated and protected. This leaves skin feeling dry, tight, and potentially irritated. Kiehl's and L'Oréal Paris both emphasize this point.
-
Compromised Moisture Barrier: The loss of natural oils weakens the skin's protective barrier, making it more vulnerable to environmental stressors and irritants. This can exacerbate existing conditions like eczema or psoriasis. This is clearly stated in the initial provided text: "washing in hot water is bad for your skin. It strips your skin of its natural oils. This can cause your skin to dry out, which can then spark a chain reaction: dry skin equals a compromised moisture barrier—which equals aggravated skin concerns."
-
Increased Dryness and Irritation: The resulting dryness can lead to itching, redness, and a general feeling of discomfort. Healthline notes that hot water is not ideal for any skin type due to this drying effect.
Optimal Water Temperature for Skin
While hot water is detrimental, extremely cold water can also be ineffective at cleansing. The best approach is to use lukewarm water for washing your face and body. Warm water strikes a balance – it's effective for cleansing without stripping away essential oils. Dr. Dennis Gross suggests warm water for better absorption of skincare products.
Exceptions: Therapeutic Hot Springs
It's important to note that some therapeutic hot springs contain minerals that can have beneficial effects on the skin. However, this is a specific context and shouldn't be generalized to everyday hot water usage. The minerals in these waters counteract the negative effects of the high temperature. This is touched upon in one of the provided sources that discusses the impact of soaking in hot springs.
