Beautiful skin starts with daily cleansing. But this simple and almost natural task can also sensitize our skin, especially if we do not adopt the right actions. And bad news, we would be making a common mistake.
Too hot water is not necessary
So, after a tiring day, we quickly took advantage of the shower to wash our face under hot water. Or apply a wipe or glove, again wet with hot water. Not only is it relaxing and comforting, but there is also an idea that hot water would cleanse our skin better and would further activate our treatments (thanks to more open pores). A misconception for Dr. Hannah Kopelman, dermatologist.
“Hot water can temporarily loosen oils and debris from the skin, making pores look cleaner, but it doesn’t actually change their size,”
she explains to HuffPost.
Worse, that hot water can actually damage your skin. “Excess heat disrupts the skin barrier, stripping the skin of its natural protective oils.”. Result ? Dry, irritated skin that is more vulnerable to external aggressions. “Washing your face with hot water is undeniably comforting in winter, but it does a lot of damage for 2 minutes of pleasure.”
Cold water is also not a good option
Conversely, cold water, even ice water, is known as a magical solution for tightening pores and toning the skin. It thus gives an impression of purity and invigorated skin. This is not entirely false. Cold water actually tightens the blood vessels and helps smooth the skin. But it does not eliminate impurities.
“You can rub with your hands, your skin remains “dirty”. It’s a bit like washing dishes with frozen water, there’s no point,” indicates the dermatologist.
She advises starting with lukewarm water to cleanse and, if you wish, finishing with a little cold water to invigorate the skin.
Good cleaning is more moderate
The perfect balance would therefore be lukewarm water for gentle and effective cleaning. Lukewarm water helps cleanse the skin deeply without damaging it. It also helps eliminate makeup, pollution or sebum residue while respecting the skin’s natural barrier.
If your water is too “hard”, you can, however, opt for mineral water or floral water, advises the dermatologist. Finally, to go further, the expert recommends cleansing your skin twice a day with non-comedogenic products to remove dirt, sebum and makeup without clogging your pores. And protect your skin from the sun with a broad spectrum sunscreen. Regular exfoliation also helps smooth the skin and make pores less visible.