There’s a persistent belief floating around skincare circles—and honestly, it’s been around so long it’s become almost gospel: hot water “opens” your pores, making it easier to clean out dirt, oil, and gunk trapped beneath the skin’s surface. Then, cold water is supposed to “close” them again, sealing everything back in and leaving skin squeaky clean and fresh. But here’s the kicker: pores don’t actually work like tiny doors swinging open and shut. So, can you really open your pores with hot water? Let’s dig beneath the surface.
What Are Pores, Really?
Hiving into the world of pores means understanding what they’re actually doing. Pores aren’t tiny doors with hinges; they are the openings of hair follicles and sweat glands embedded in the skin. Each pore leads to follicles that produce sebum, the natural oil that keeps your skin moisturized. The size of your pores is largely genetic, although factors like age, sun damage, and excessive oil production can influence how they look to the naked eye. Think of pores like tiny tunnels rather than gatekeepers. The idea of opening or closing them is a bit of a misunderstanding because pores don’t have muscles. What can change is the content inside the pores—clogged pores can appear enlarged or more visible, but the pore itself stays about the same size.
The Myth of “Opening” and “Closing” Pores with Hot or Cold Water
When you splash hot water on your face, your blood vessels dilate—a process called vasodilation. This increases blood flow and can soften the skin and sebum inside the pores, making it feel like the pores are “opening.” You might notice your face feels warmer and more pliable, which can help gentle cleansers get deeper. But what’s really happening is that the heat is loosening up hardened sebum and dead skin cells, not physically chipping away some kind of locked door.
Cold water, on the other hand, causes vasoconstriction, making blood vessels shrink and skin feel tighter. The immediate effect is a sensation of “closing” pores, but in reality, this just temporarily reduces the redness and swelling around the follicles. The pore opening itself stays the same size.
If your pores look smaller after rinsing with cold water, it’s likely because of less oil or reduced inflammation—not because a cold splash actually shut the pore.
Why Does Hot Water Feel Like It Opens Pores?
Using hot water during cleansing trips some sensors in your skin. Heat relaxes your skin, making it easier to wipe away oils and dirt on the surface. This sensation, combined with the softening of the oils inside your pores, feels like a deep clean. For those with oily or acne-prone skin, using a warm washcloth can feel more effective than cold water alone.
But beware if the water is too hot. High temperatures can strip your skin’s natural oils, causing irritation and even prompting your sebaceous glands to crank up oil production in response. That overcompensation might just lead to more clogged pores—exactly the opposite effect you wanted.
The Role of Steam and Hot Towels
Steaming your face has been a beloved ritual for centuries, praised for “opening pores” and flushing toxins. Steam adds moisture and warmth, increasing skin pliability and encouraging sweating, which can help clear out pores. But here’s the detail: any clearing effect is about post-cleansing, when softened pore contents are more easily removed—not because pores truly open.
Dermatologists recommend steam as a relaxing and preparatory step before extraction—but caution not to overdo it. Excessive heat can weaken the skin barrier, leading to redness and irritation. Less is often more when it comes to steam.
Are There Better Ways to Cleanse Your Pores?
If the whole point is to get your pores as clean as possible, focusing on dislodging clogged pore contents rather than “opening” them is key. Here’s where chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid shine. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, meaning it can penetrate into the pores to dissolve excess sebum and dead skin cells more effectively than a hot water rinse ever could.
Regular gentle exfoliation, paired with balanced cleansing, is the winning combo. You might soak your face in warm water to soften the skin first, but it’s the active ingredients and consistent care that truly matter.
What About Pore Size? Can Hot Water Shrink Pores?
No matter how cold or hot the water, your pores aren’t going to change size permanently. What you notice as “smaller” pores after a cold rinse are mostly less oil and less visible buildup on the skin’s surface. For actual shrinking, treatments like retinoids work by encouraging skin cell turnover, which can reduce the appearance of pores over time by thickening the skin and clearing blockages.
Skin Types Matter
Everyone has different skin. What works for someone with dry skin won’t match the needs of someone with oily or acne-prone skin. If you use water that’s too hot, and your skin dries out or becomes inflamed, your pores might get more congested as your skin tries to protect itself.
On the other hand, for some, warm water can be part of a soothing routine that eases dryness and preps the skin for absorption of treatments. It’s a personal balance.
Some Practical Tips on Water Temperature and Pores
Using lukewarm water is a safer bet. It’s warm enough to loosen dirt and oils but won’t strip your skin of its protective barrier or cause redness. When washing your face:
• Start with lukewarm water to dampen skin and open pores gently.
• Follow with a mild cleanser suited for your skin type.
• Rinse with cooler water if it feels refreshing, but don’t expect your pores to “close.”
• Avoid extreme temperatures that can shock your skin or cause inflammation.
If you’re curious and want to experiment with steam, a warm, moist towel held over your face for a minute or two can work, but keep it gentle.
How Experts See It
Dermatologists often roll their eyes at the hot/cold pore myth, preferring to talk about “softening” and “cleansing” rather than “opening” and “closing.” The American Academy of Dermatology emphasizes that pores don’t have muscles to open or close, reaffirming that good cleansing and consistent skincare are your best bets to keep pores less visible and skin healthier. Using hot water might feel therapeutic, but it shouldn’t replace proven skincare ingredients and routines.
Do you want to test your knowledge on skincare myths or just enjoy a fun challenge? You might enjoy taking the skincare quiz available at Bing’s Daily Quiz. It’s a playful way to separate fact from fiction and learn more about skin health.
Final Thoughts
The phrase “open your pores with hot water” is comforting and simple, but it doesn’t reflect the biology of our skin. Hot water helps soften the oils inside pores, making it easier to clean, but pores themselves don’t have doors that open or close. Using warm water—and not too hot—combined with gentle cleansing and exfoliation is a smarter game plan. Cold water might feel refreshing and temporarily tighten skin but won’t offer permanent pore closure.
Understanding this helps dodge wasted effort and potential skin irritation caused by harsh treatments based on myths. If anything, your skin will thank you for respecting its natural mechanics and opting for real skincare science instead.
If you want to explore more about myths around beauty and wellness, check out some refreshing insights at the American Academy of Dermatology’s skincare myths page. It’s a great resource to sift facts from folklore in your daily routine.
