Hot baths and scalding showers might feel soothing, but their effects on your skin and hair might not be as relaxing.

While they provide temporary comfort, experts warn that prolonged exposure to hot water can wash away essential oils and damage your skin barrier and hair.

What Does Hot Water Do to Skin?

Disrupting the Skin Barrier

Dear Lykkers, when discussing how bathing affects skin health, much of the research focuses on cleansers rather than water temperature, says Dr. Blair Jenkins, who serves as a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Michigan Medicine. However, dermatologists agree that hot water, especially when paired with harsh soaps, can harm the outermost layer of the skin, known as the skin barrier.

The skin barrier comprises dead skin cells surrounded by fatty substances such as ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol, explains Dr. Paola Baker, a dermatologist in Boston. These lipids lock in moisture and protect the skin from environmental irritants. A thin layer on top of the skin barrier, called the acid mantle, further safeguards the skin with its blend of amino acids, sweat-derived acids, and sebum.

When exposed to hot water, sebum can be stripped away, leading to dryness. The organized structure of lipids within the skin barrier may also break down, making the barrier more permeable and increasing water loss, says Dr. Trinidad Montero-Vílchez, a dermatologist at Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital in Spain. His 2022 study found that hot water weakened the skin barrier, caused redness, and raised the skin’s pH level, all of which contributed to water loss and irritation.

The Visible Effects of Hot Water

Hot water may leave your skin feeling tight and looking dull or ashy. It also makes the skin more prone to dryness, redness, and irritation, particularly in those with sensitive or preexisting conditions like eczema or psoriasis.

What Does Hot Water Do to Hair?

Stripping Essential Oils

Similar to its effect on skin, hot water can wash hair of its natural oils. According to Dr. Elika Hoss, an assistant professor of dermatology at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, sebum released by glands on the scalp coats the outer layer of hair strands, keeping them moisturized and protected. Rinsing hair with hot water removes this protective layer, leaving hair dry and brittle.

Dr. Jenkins notes that patients often report their hair feels brittle, and the culprit is frequently their shower routine.

What’s the Best Way to Keep Skin and Hair Healthy?

Opt for Lukewarm Showers

If you don’t suffer from dry skin, eczema, or psoriasis, you may indulge in a hot shower occasionally. However, dermatologists recommend limiting them to once or twice a week. For daily routines, lukewarm showers are ideal, and they should last only 5 to 10 minutes.

Choose Gentle Products

Use gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and avoid shampoos with irritating detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate. These can weaken the skin barrier and wash essential oils from both skin and hair.

Adopt Moisturizing Habits

After bathing, use a moisturizer on damp skin to lock in hydration effectively. Opt for ointments or creams containing hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, or petroleum jelly, which are more effective than lotions.

Shampoo Smartly

Wash your hair only when necessary, such as after exercising or using heavy products, and focus on scalp care to maintain natural oil balance.

Ultimately, as Dr. Jenkins puts it, “People exist on a spectrum, and some can tolerate hot showers without issues.” However, moderation is key to protecting your skin and hair from unnecessary damage.