As tempting as it is to want to sink into a hot bath or relax in a steamy shower, particularly with the harsh weather and dropping temperatures outside, using hot water can sometimes dry out our skin and hair. Cold water is actually known to be better for you, and unlike hot water, it does not dry skin and hair, making them prone to damage. Find out why you should consider taking a cold shower from now on!
Beauty Benefits of Cold Water
Sebum
Both our skin and our hair are protected by a layer of natural oil or lubrication called sebum. Hot water can dry up that precious layer of sebum, making our skin dry and hair fragile. Hot water can also lead to the pores becoming clogged if we go out directly after exposure.
Cold water can make our hair look shinier and our skin look healthier. Cold showers are one of the great anti-aging secrets for keeping your skin tight, elastic, vibrant, and radiant looking. They can also lead to stronger hair, which can prevent hair from easily falling out and slow down overall hair loss.
Closes the cuticle
Cold water does keep your hair cuticles closed which makes the hair stronger and prevents dirt from easily accumulating within your scalp. Stronger hair prevents hair from being easily pulled out when you are combing, and it helps in slowing down overall hair loss.
Cold water rinses after shampooing and conditioning help to tighten up the cuticle layer and can be beneficial for those who have problems with oily scalp and hair.
Good for the skin
Bathing your entire body in cold water for 2-4 minutes at the end of your shower will also help to rejuvenate your skin. After opening your pores and washing them out with warm water, you can seal them up naturally with a cold splash! Cold water works to tighten pores, preventing them from getting clogged, and reducing blemishes like acne.Cold water also contributes to detoxification, by squeezing toxins and waste products out of the skin. The cold water also helps to slow down oil production in the skin for a period of time following the rinsing.
Less frizz
The exact same damage that occurs to your skin in a hot shower also happens to your hair. Hot water dries out your hair stripping it of its natural healthy oils. After you wash your hair in warm water, using both your shampoo and conditioner, bathing in cold water helps close cuticles. This helps to support hair strength and even comes with the added benefit of shiny, less frizzy appearing hair (especially important for us curly girls”>.
Cold air
Cold water will keep your hair looking healthier and shinier. As a matter of fact, cool air makes your hair shinier too (that’s why there is a cool air button on your hair dryer”>.
The case for hot water
If the thought of cold showers has you shaking in your boots, fret not! Hot water has its benefits too.
When the hair is heavily soiled with build-up of products or waxy substances, using hot water provides a better clean from the shampoo used. The heat and moisture help to expand the cuticle layer (the opposite of what happens with cold water”> and can help conditioners to penetrate more deeply when applied to hair warmed by hot water.
