Is it better to wash your face with hot water or cold water?

Many people in daily life pay close attention to personal hygiene and typically wash their face two or three times a day. However, they are often unsure whether it is better to use cold or hot water for facial cleansing. So, which is better—warm water or cold water?

Is Warm Water or Cold Water Better for Facial Cleansing?

Both warm and cold water can be used for facial cleansing, but the optimal water temperature depends significantly on individual skin type. For oily skin, lukewarm water is recommended, as it helps open pores and effectively removes excess sebum. For normal skin, cold water is generally suitable. When washing your face, avoid excessive rubbing or friction on the skin.

Avoid using hot water to wash your face, as it may cause varying degrees of thermal injury—even if you don’t feel discomfort immediately. Prolonged use of hot water accelerates skin aging: the heat stimulates rapid dilation of capillaries in the epidermis, leading to skin laxity, enlarged pores, and increased wrinkle formation. It is advisable to first cleanse with lukewarm water, then rinse thoroughly with cool water to help constrict pores and enhance skin elasticity.

Water that is excessively cold (below 20°C) has an astringent effect on the skin and can invigorate and refresh it. However, long-term use of very cold water causes persistent vasoconstriction, resulting in pallor, dryness, diminished sebum and sweat production, loss of elasticity, and premature aging—ultimately impairing skin nourishment. Therefore, choose water at an appropriate temperature for daily facial cleansing. We hope this information is helpful to you!