Are hot showers really that bad for your skin?

There’s nothing nicer than coming home and stepping into a hot shower in the colder months. Hot water bottles, heating, and a mug of steaming coffee can’t compare to the warmth of a shower on its hottest setting. But, if you’re trying out skincare treatments and have a stellar skin routine, is the hot water reversing all of the good you’re doing? Let’s take a look.

Are hot showers bad for your skin?

To be honest they can be, yes. Certainly more so than cool showers or baths. The hotter the water and the longer you stay in it, the more damaging it can be! It’s also worth bearing in mind that super high temperatures can cause many skin issues or make problems you already have worse. Is it worth it for 10 minutes of warmth? Probably not.

How do hot showers affect your skin?

If you’re longing for healthy, glowing skin, hot showers could be holding you back. Basically, when you turn the temperature up, the water can cause inflammation on your skin and lead to itching and redness. It may also unbalance your moisture levels and rid your skin of essential fats, oils, and proteins that are vital to keeping it healthy.

Skin conditions like eczema, acne, rosacea, and psoriasis can all be exacerbated by having hot showers. These issues all come from skin-barrier repair defects, which high temperatures make worse. Your skin is being stripped of all the good things it needs to stay healthy, including the skin barrier.

This lack of moisture can also promote ageing in the skin. The less nourished and healthy your complexion, the quicker it’s going to deteriorate. If you want to keep your skin glowing and beautiful for years to come, it’s worth considering turning the temperature down.

What’s the best shower temperature for your skin?

If keeping your skin free of issues and well hydrated is a priority, stick to lukewarm water. It might not be quite as satisfying to step into at first, but trust us – your skin will thank you! Also, use a gentle cleanser on your face that doesn’t strip it of oils, and moisturise within the first few minutes you’re out of the shower to rehydrate and reduce damage.

If you can’t go without your blast of steamy water, try to keep it to a few minutes only. As soon as it’s getting foggy in your bathroom, it’s time to turn down the temperature!

Repair your skin’s barrier

You’re not alone if you’ve enjoyed a fair few hot showers recently – let’s be honest, it’s probably the default setting for the majority of us. But it’s worth giving your skin a break as often as you can. There are lots of ways you can boost your natural skin barrier, like sticking to a minimal skincare routine with gentle products. Ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides can add an extra boost to repair your barrier.

You should also book in for regular treatments with a skincare expert – and that’s exactly where we can help! At AP Skincare, we can analyse the health of your skin in detail, and once we know what we’re working with, we’ll create tailored skincare treatments and recommend at-home products to boost your complexion. If you’d like to know more or book an appointment, call our friendly team on 01254 29 000, or pop into our skincare clinic in Blackburn. When it comes to your skin, we’re always happy to help!