Renowned skincare expert Caroline Hirons has issued a strong warning about a common shower habit that could be damaging your skin: washing your face with hot water. Hirons, often referred to as the ‘Queen of Skincare,’ highlights the risk of broken capillaries caused by dilated blood vessels when using excessively hot water on your face. This can lead to a thinning of the skin and a reduction in collagen production over time, accelerating the visible signs of aging. Aesthetipedia.com further notes that factors like aging, inflammatory conditions, sun damage, and excessive pressure on the skin can exacerbate this issue. This is backed up by the Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery Institute, which also notes that hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and breakouts. Hirons’ solution is simple yet effective: use lukewarm or cold water to cleanse your face. She emphasizes that while your body might tolerate hot water, your facial skin is far more delicate and susceptible to damage. The telltale sign? Redness and flushing after your shower. If your cheeks are red after a shower, it’s a clear indication to lower the water temperature.To minimize the impact of hot water even further, Hirons advocates a clever showering technique: washing your face with your back turned to the shower stream, similar to how one might wash their hair from behind in an old commercial. This minimizes direct exposure to the potentially damaging hot spray. This practical tip, shared on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, aligns perfectly with her common-sense approach to skincare. Hirons frequently stresses the importance of consistent skincare habits. In previous interviews with New Beauty, she underscored the need for facial cleansing at the correct temperature, both morning and night. She rightly points out the absurdity of investing in expensive overnight skincare products only to undo their benefits by using excessively hot water in the morning.Maintaining a healthy skincare routine, Hirons suggests, involves three essential steps: cleansing, moisturizing, and daily SPF 50+ sun protection. For improved skin texture, incorporating acids and retinoids is recommended. Boosting radiance can be achieved by adding Vitamin C and facial oils to your regimen. These additions complement the basic steps and address specific skin concerns, ensuring a holistic approach to skincare. By following these simple yet effective tips, you can protect your skin, enhance its health, and retain its youthful glow for years to come. Avoiding hot water on your face is a small change that can make a big difference in preventing long-term skin damage. This advice aligns with current trends in holistic wellness and mindful beauty routines. Many influencers and experts are now advocating for gentler approaches to skincare, emphasizing the importance of understanding our skin’s unique needs and responding accordingly. This also ties into rising awareness about the impact of environmental factors and lifestyle choices on our overall health and well-being. Therefore, adapting a lukewarm or cool water facial cleansing routine is a proactive measure you can incorporate today for brighter, healthier, and younger-looking skin.
