What are the benefits and drawbacks of long-term use of cold water for facial cleansing?

Benefits of washing your face with cold water over the long term include pore tightening, enhanced skin tolerance, reduced excessive sebum secretion, improved blood circulation, and delayed skin aging. However, drawbacks include incomplete cleansing, triggering sensitive skin, worsening acne, impaired absorption of skincare products, and facial discomfort due to cold exposure. The choice should be based on individual skin type. If persistent redness, stinging, or aggravated acne occurs after prolonged use, medical advice should be sought promptly.

I. Benefits

1. Pore Tightening: Cold water stimulates vasoconstriction in the skin, reducing pore dilation and creating a tighter skin surface. This temporarily improves the appearance of enlarged pores, making it especially suitable for oily skin.

2. Enhanced Skin Tolerance: Long-term use can improve the skin’s adaptability to temperature changes, lowering the likelihood of redness and sensitivity caused by external irritants, thus strengthening the skin barrier.

3. Reduced Excessive Sebum Secretion: Cold water exerts less stimulation on sebaceous glands, helping prevent sebum overproduction triggered by high water temperatures, maintaining the skin’s oil-water balance and reducing shine.

4. Improved Blood Circulation: Cold stimulation promotes faster blood flow in the face, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to skin cells, resulting in a healthier, rosy, and radiant complexion.

5. Delayed Skin Aging: Mild cold stimulation enhances the activity of elastic fibers in the skin, reduces fine lines caused by collagen loss, and helps slow down the skin aging process.

II. Drawbacks

1. Incomplete Cleansing: Cold water has weaker dissolving power, making it difficult to effectively remove surface oils, dust, and residual makeup. Long-term buildup may clog pores.

2. Triggering Sensitive Skin: For individuals with dry or inherently delicate skin, prolonged exposure to cold water may damage the skin barrier, reduce moisture retention, and lead to dryness, stinging, and redness.

3. Worsening Acne: Inadequate pore cleansing allows sebum and dirt to accumulate, potentially triggering or exacerbating acne, particularly in those with inflammatory breakouts.

4. Impaired Skincare Product Absorption: Cold water causes the stratum corneum to contract, limiting the penetration of active ingredients from skincare products and reducing their effectiveness.

5. Facial Discomfort from Cold Exposure: Consistently using very cold water may cause facial muscles to tense up due to chilling, possibly leading to headaches or nasal congestion, especially during colder seasons like autumn and winter.

It is recommended to use lukewarm water around 32–35 °C for face washing, balancing cleansing efficacy and gentleness. Oily skin types may occasionally finish with cold water, while dry or sensitive skin types should avoid long-term use of cold water. After washing, gently pat the face dry with a clean towel and immediately apply moisturizer to lock in hydration. Adjust your facial cleansing routine according to your skin type.