Does tap water damage the skin? Is cold water really better? How to wipe your face properly? A skincare expert gives us his professional answer to having beautiful skin.

Depending on its quality, water applied to the face on a daily basis and how it is wiped off can damage the skin. Alexandre Vacher, CEO at Physiodermy method , explain to us the right skincare gestures to adopt.

Does tap water damage the skin?

Applying water to our face is a daily reflex that we do every morning which, if it does not respect certain conditions, can cause damage to the epidermis. 'Put water on the face in the morning can help to refresh, eliminate impurities and excess sebum' , confides to us Alexandre Vacher who also wants to warn against bad practices. ' However, it is important to take into account certain factors that can affect the quality of the skin', he notes.

In the first place, the quality of the water is a criterion to be checked. 'The pH and quality of tap water varies depending on where you live. ', says the man who heads the skincare brand Méthode Physiodermie. If the pH is considered neutral at 7, the skin of the face requires a different pH. ' In general, the pH of tap water is between 6.5 and 8.5. For the skin to remain balanced, the ideal would be for it to be at a pH of 5.5 ', recommends the expert. Thus, promote a thermal water, to be applied with a mister , which will be softer and will also avoid the limestone deposit contained in tap water, which is known to dry out the skin.

Is cold water really better for the skin?

Another factor to watch out for when applying water to your face in the morning is the temperature of the water. Although it provides a feeling of well-being and relaxation, hot water is bad for the beauty of the face because it will weaken the natural skin barrier, dry the skin and cause redness. ' Hot water can be more aggressive for the skin and can cause excessive dryness', remarks Alexandre Vacher.

On the contrary, cold water has many beauty benefits since it tightens pores, decongests and activates blood circulation. In the long run, cold water will tighten facial features and act as a natural lift. However, for effective cleansing in the morning, skincare expert advises cleanser in combination car 'cold water can be refreshing but less effective at removing impurities' than hot water. ' Using mild, non-irritating cleansers may be preferable to using harsh soaps or other stripping products that often have pH values ​​near 8 “, he explains. Note that those with the dry skin or sensitive can skip the morning cleanser so as not to further weaken the epidermis, while the oily or acne-prone skin will need this extra cleaning.

More info and new tips

How to wipe your face properly?

Along with water quality and temperature, how you wipe your face is key to completing a good morning cleanse. Avoid rubbing from top to bottom at the risk of pulling on the skin of the face, which is naturally finer and more sensitive than that of the rest of the body. The right thing to do: tap gently to preserve the natural hydration of the epidermis.

In addition, if we tend to use classic bath towels, these can damage the skin because of their sometimes hard and aggressive bristles. Prefer them cotton, microfiber or bamboo muslin which will be much softer, thus preserving the radiance and youthfulness of the face.

Source journaldesfemmes.fr