This is Why You Shouldn’t Wash Your Face in the Shower

Why? Because unless you’re a fan of cold showers (brrr!), chances are the water you use to clean your body is too hot for your face.

“Despite the widespread belief that hot water helps open pores for cleansing, there is little evidence to support this,” says consultant dermatologist Dr Juber Hafiji, talking on behalf of Cetraben.

“Beyond it being a myth, using water which is too hot can increase the chances of your skin drying out. Hot water can damage sensitive skin tissue and strip the skin of its natural oils that help form a protective barrier,” he adds.

Sujata Jolly, founder and CEO of Clinogen, isn’t entirely against the idea of washing one’s face in the shower – but with a caveat.

“Not only does it save time, it also means you will remove residue of your cleanser completely,” she says. “However, I would always advise that if washing your hair, you shampoo, condition, and then cleanse your face and neck and rinse with warm water.”

That way, you don’t end up with any shampoo or conditioner residue left on your face.

“If you have dry or eczema-prone skin, a cream-based cleansing product is likely to be the most effective for you,” Dr Hafiji says, citing Cetraben Daily Cleansing Cream (£6.99, Boots) as an example.

“A gentle cream cleanser will be kinder to your skin but just as good at cleaning it to remove all traces of dirt and pollutants. Cream cleansers will also help ensure that your skin maintains important moisture,” he adds.

“If you have sensitive skin, you should seek out cleansers specifically designed for skin conditions and avoid products which contain irritants, such as fragrances and sodium lauryl sulphate.”