# Washing face with warm, then cold water (or only either)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-face-with-warm-then-cold-water-or-only-either/852323>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 22, 2020, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-face-with-warm-then-cold-water-or-only-either/852323 "2020-04-22T06:09:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2020, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-face-with-warm-then-cold-water-or-only-either/852323/1 "2020-04-22T06:09:08Z")

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What are the effects (beneficial or otherwise) of washing one’s face with first warm water, and then with cold water? Are there any advantages to only washing with warm water? Or only cold?

I’m wondering about potential effects on oil production and cleansing, acne, aesthetics such as pore size or wrinkles … the works.

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**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2020, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-face-with-warm-then-cold-water-or-only-either/852323/2 "2020-04-22T07:27:01Z")

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Pores don’t really change in size, regardless of the temperature of water you expose them to. Hotter water does have a greater potential for loosening up any particles of dirt that may be clogging them, making it easier to wash them away.

Oil production? Dunno. Hot water can dilate the capillaries near the surface of the skin, causing a flushed appearance, and sometimes actually cause them to burst.