After a long, hectic day, a hot bath can solve most of life’s problems. The warmer the water, the better your state of mind. But did you know that the temperature of your water can affect your skin? From showering to brewing coffee, the water temperature has varying effects on our lifestyle. But how do we know when to choose hot hot hot and when to turn the knob the other way?
Ice Cold
At-home manicures are no small feat. Even if you are lucky and have a steady hand, you still can’t cheat the drying time. Or can you? There are all sorts of hacks swimming the online seas, but a tried and true way to decrease drying time is to dunk wet nails into an ice cold water bath. After finishing with the polish, let you nails set for a few minutes before dunking them. Let your fingers soak until small beads of water form on your polish. Wahlah, you have a dry mani.
Water is best served ice cold! Colder water passes through your stomach faster, rehydrating you quicker than warmer water. For optimal hydration you should serve water and other cold beverages at temperatures between 50 and 72 degrees.
Cool Water
Before you lather up and reach for your Clarisonic, make sure the water you're splashing on your face is cool. Washing your face with ice cold or too warm water can dry out your skin. Opt for a temperature that is refreshing, but not too cold that it slaps you awake. Rinsing with cool water will calm redness and close your pores.
Lukewarm
Hair and heat are not close friends. Most people know that hot styling tools are harmful to their hair. But why then do bask in a hot shower while we shampoo our hair? Hot water strips the hair of dirt and grime, but it also strips away natural oils. Our locks rely on these oils to maintain strength, shine, and manageability. A hot shower may feel great on a chilly winter morning, but the steamy water will dry out your hair, scalp, and skin. Lukewarm water will rinse away the dirt while leaving the natural oils behind. Furthermore, a quick burst of cool water at the end of a shower will close the hair’s cuticles, leaving shiny, manageable hair behind. A quick rule of thumb: if your skin is red at the end of a shower or bath, your water is TOO HOT!
Our instinct seems to think that cold water is best when rinsing fresh fruits and veggies. But cold water can create small cracks in the skin of the fruits, opening the door for water and bacteria to enter the flesh. The best practice is to wash produce in water as close to the temperature of the fruits and veggies as possible.
HOT HOT HOT
Shaving offer a good excuse to crank up the heat while showering! The heat softens hairs so they are easier to glide over. Be careful though, long exposure to the hot steam will dry out your skin!
Who knew the temperature of water was so crucial to your beauty routine and lifestyle? Start paying attention to your tendencies and see where you are choosing inappropriate temperatures. Your skin will be happier if you chose the best temperature for each action.