When you take a cold shower and wash your face with cold water, you could be helping to reduce the inflammation that’s commonly caused by acne. It’s also recommended by dermatologists that you wash your face with cold water. Hot water can strip your face of its natural oils and compromise your skin’s barrier, leading to dry and aggravated skin. Meanwhile, cold water shrinks pores, tightens the skin, and temporarily gives it a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance.
Per Byrdie, cold showers can reduce puffiness, improve circulation, and make your skin look clearer and more radiant. While cold showers can yield some benefits to the skin, they won’t have many long-term perks or be able to treat the root cause of your acne. Acne is typically caused by excessively oily skin, bacteria, sticky pores, and inflammation — all of which (excluding inflammation) cold showers can’t combat.
