Does Hot Water Open Pores? Here's What the Science Says!
You know that feeling when you first step into a steamy shower after a long day? It's pure bliss. The hot water feels amazing on your skin and seems to just melt all of your troubles away.
But have you ever wondered what hot water does to your pores? We've heard from estheticians and beauty experts that steam and hot water opens pores. But is that a fact? Or is this just one of many skincare myths.
We did some research to find out. Keep reading to learn what the experts say.
Is hot water good for pores?
The jury is still out on this one. Some dermatologists say that hot water can actually damage your skin by stripping it of its natural oils.
This can lead to dryness, irritation, and even wrinkles, especially if you already have chronically dry skin. Experts say overly hot water can damage skin's protective barrier.
However, other experts believe that hot water can help loosen your pores, making them easier to clean and less likely to become clogged.
Does cold or hot water open your pores?
Hot water and steam do not open pores. However there is still a benefit. What steam can do is loosen the excess sebum in your pores.
This allows the oil to slide out of the pore easily when you get to the next step in your skin care routine which is cleansing or exfoliating dead skin cells out of the way.
Cold water, on the other hand, does nothing for your pores. It is a myth that cold water tightens pores.
It might feel refreshing and help to reduce inflammation to splash cold water on your face, but it won't do anything to unclog or clean out your pores.
Cold water does increase blood flow in your blood vessels. This may give your skin a healthy glow.
Are hot springs good for pores?
There's no scientific evidence to support this claim, but many people believe that hot springs can help to detoxify the skin and improve circulation. This could theoretically help to unclog pores and prevent breakouts.
Plus, the soothing waters of hot springs are an excellent way to relax!
Does cold water reduce pore size?
Unfortunately, the myth that cold water can shrink the size of pores is just that, a myth. Cold water will not reduce pore size.
In fact, as we mentioned before, it does nothing for your pores at all.
If you're looking to reduce the appearance of large pores, you'll need to try other methods such as exfoliating or using a pore-minimizing serum.
How can I naturally close my pores?
There are a few different ways you can naturally close your pores.
One method to shrink pores is to use a toner or astringent containing witch hazel or green tea—both of which have astringent properties that can help to shrink the appearance of pores.
Or, you can try applying a clay mask or a mask containing salicylic acid or tea tree oil, which will absorb excess oil and help to tighten the skin.
What causes large pores?
There are a few different factors that can cause enlarged pores such as genetics, age, oily skin type, and sun damage.
Unfortunately, there's no way to completely change the size of your pores—they're determined by genetics—but you can take steps to minimize their appearance as we mentioned before.
Is hot or cold water better for acne?
This is a tough question because there are pros and cons to both hot and cold water when it comes to acne-prone skin.
Cold showers can clean your skin without drying it out. Hot water can strip away natural oils and lead to dryness which could aggravate breakouts; however, it can also help to keep pores clean by loosening up clogged pores and allow dirt and oil to be rinsed away more easily.
So ultimately it depends on what works better for your individual skin type—you'll just have experiment a bit until you find what works best for you!
If you have sensitive skin, though, we recommend sticking with lukewarm water since it's less likely to irritate or dry out your skin than either extreme (hot or cold).
Does ice close pores?
No, ice does not close pores but it can help reduce inflammation and redness—two things that often accompany breakouts caused by clogged pores.
So if you've got a pimple that's starting to surface, try holding an ice cube on the area for a few minutes (wrapped in a thin towel so as not avoid any frostbite) before popping it—it just might help!
Does face oil reduce pores?
Natural facial oils contain fatty acids like linoleic acid which helps strengthen the lipid barrier on our skin keeping out pollutants that can damage healthy cells and compromise the delicate balance of moisture within your face.
Rich antioxidants like vitamins A & E maintain collagen health while ceramides binds moisture-rich layers together to reduce redness and inflammation along with smoothing fine lines around the nose & mouth area.
And finally, natural extracts like lavender calm irritated areas of acne prone skin while actually shrinking pore size back down by increasing cell turnover at a faster rate than normal debris buildup allows – leaving you with smaller looking pores.
Just be sure to use a face oil with a low comedogenic rating, like squalane oil or almond oil. Non-comedogenic just means it's less likely to clog pores.
Some non-comedogenic face oils are squalane oil, jojoba oil, argan oil and rosehip seed oil.
Cocoa butter, avocado oil and coconut oil have a slightly higher comedogenic rating. So, oils like coconut oil could be more likely to cause clogged pores.
Is it bad to squeeze nose pores?
Squeezing nose pores can lead to a number of issues and is generally not recommended.
When you squeeze your nose pores, you run the risk of damaging your skin, which can cause scarring, infection, and inflammation.
Additionally, squeezing your nose pores can actually make them look larger over time by stretching out the surrounding skin.
Rather than squeezing your nose pores, it's better to use gentle exfoliation and wash your face with pore cleansing products to keep your skin healthy and clear.
If you're concerned about the appearance of your nose pores, consider talking to a dermatologist for personalized advice on how to care for your skin.
The Perfect Temperature
Who knew there was so much science behind something as simple as water temperature and washing your face with hot water!
We hope this article helped clear up any confusion about what exactly happens when we subject our poor little pores to extreme temperatures—and how best we can care for them regardless!
The Verdict: Not So Hot
We recommend lukewarm water on your face as to avoid damaging your skin as hot water strips it of its natural oils.
Use a gentle cleanser or exfoliator and warm water to clean out your pores. Then, follow with a tightening mask which can make your pores look smaller.
If you're looking for a good pore cleanser, we can make some recommendations. Tap the button below for our list of the best pore cleansers you can shop online.