You can safely wash your face before, after, or even during your shower! There are no absolutes when it comes to skincare because everyone’s skincare needs are unique and everyone’s shower routines are also unique. It’s common advice that you should avoid washing your face in the shower because steaming hot water can dry out your skin. But this also brings up a different point; that lava hot water is also just as stripping to the rest of your body!
If you are concerned about damaging your complexion with scorching hot water you need to turn down that tap and consider the big picture. It’s very easy to linger in a steamy shower especially during the colder months, but this can quickly lead to skin irritation and dry itchy skin. 1 If you are using a reasonable temperature of water there is no harm in using your facial cleanser while in the shower to save some time during your morning or evening routine.
Should You Wash Your Face in the Shower?
If you make sure to save your cleanser for the last step you can definitely wash your face during a shower. Shampoo and conditioner can cause breakouts if they are not thoroughly rinsed and cleansed from the skin. Save your facial cleanser and body cleanser until after you’ve thoroughly rinsed your hair to get the best cleansing experience. If you struggle with body acne, cleansing as the last step can help combat acne breakouts. Conditioner that drips down onto the face, shoulders, and back can be a sneaky cause of clogged pores and skin irritation.
Why Shouldn’t You Wash Your Face in the Shower?
If you can’t bear the idea of taking a cooled down shower and must use piping hot water, you should wait until afterwards to cleanse your face. While warm water can help loosen dirt and unclog pores, overheated water can and will strip the natural oils from your skin and leave you feeling parched and stripped.
Cleansers with active ingredients like AHA or BHAS are heat sensitive and should not be stored in the warm shower. If you use skincare with chemical exfoliants you should cleanse your face at the sink after hopping out of the shower to avoid exposing your cleanser to heat.
If a sensitive active ingredient was stored in an area above room temperature for an extended period of time it will actually start to decompose. 2 Using a spoiled cleanser will not harm you but you certainly will not be getting the full benefits of that ingredient. If you want to learn more, I go further in-depth on how to safely store these skincare products in this article.
