Cold or Warm Water?

[Anonymous]

I have heard reasoning on both sides, but I would like to know your opinions. Is it best to wash your face using warm or cold water? I have used both but I am wondering which one I should stick with. I notice that cold water wakes me up in the morning, but warm water seems to make my skin more receptive of moisturizers and serums. 

[LCResz]

Seems like we're all on the same page! Use warm water to cleanse your skin and finish your face washing routine with a couple of splashes of cold water. It's a lot like how you're supposed to wash and condition your hair (warm to loosen up everything you want to wash off and cold to seal the deal.) 

[risachws]

I always start with warm/hot water for cleansing and finish it up with cold water to close the pores! I don't think it's necessary to use warm water for the moisturizer and serum for a better absorption. A tip that I learned from Korean beauty for a better absorption of moisturizer and serum is rubbing your hands together and gently pat it into your skin. The heat from your hand will then allow for a better absorption, just like warm water I guess, except it doesn't open up the pores the way hot water does. Maybe you should give it a try and see how it goes 🙂 

[kylacharlton]

Warm water (do not use hot EVER) opens up the pores so I use it at the start of my skincare routine when I apply my cleanser. Once my face is washed, I do a few splashes of cold water as it closes the pores up again and I continue on with my routine! 

[AlexisApplejack]

While everyone has their personal preference there is a correct answer. Warm water should be used while cleansing, not hot (which is why it's not recommended to wash your face in the shower because most people take showers that are too hot). Warm water helps open up the pores so they can get a better cleanse and at the end of your cleansing do a splash or two of cold water to close the pores. Same with if you were rinsing off a mask, rinse with warm water then finish with a splash of cold water. Adding an essence to your skincare routine will help temporarily open/soften the pores again so your skin can better absorb your serums without leaving the pores open

[Anonymous]

I prefer warm/hot water because I think it gets my skin cleaner.  Maybe it's because I have slightly oily skin, I don't feel like I've cleansed well if I use cool water.