60% of respondents to a 2021 survey stated that they shower at least once per day. However, instead of indulging in a steamy hot shower, try taking an ice-cold rinse.
This refreshing practice can help with more than general hygiene. Even 30 seconds in a cold shower may help improve circulation and reduce inflammation.
At a Glance
- Healthier Skin and Hair
- Improves Circulation
- Stress Relief
- Immune System Boost
- Brighten Under-Eyes
- Weight Loss
- Improved Muscle Recovery
- Full-Body Detox
Keep reading to learn about eight potential benefits of taking cold showers.
See Related: Complete Guide To The Mind-Body Connection
How Can Taking Cold Showers Enhance Your Health and Beauty?
Just the thought of stepping under a frigid stream of water might make you shiver. But once you get past the initial discomfort, the practice of taking cold showers may help you feel more refreshed and invigorated.
However, a cold shower can do more than wash away the sleepy slump of a Monday morning. Cold water immersion offers some natural beauty-boosting benefits that can bolster your daily skincare routine.
#1. Healthier Skin and Hair
Clean skin is healthy skin. Cleansing your face with a gentle facial wash morning and night helps to remove dead skin cells, bacteria, and excess oil from your pores. This prevents acne and improves skin tone.
However, many people make the mistake of cleansing their skin with hot water, which can compromise your protective barrier. Hot showers can strip your skin of the natural oils that keep it hydrated.
For smooth and soft skin, pair your cold shower with our signature Candlenut Hydrating Shower Gel. This sulfate-free formula is designed to nourish and moisturize skin while purifying your pores. It's the cream of the crop when it comes to non-toxic body washes and features refreshing and refining ingredients like candlenut oil and coconut botanicals.
Cool water helps maintain your skin's natural pH balance, which can help alleviate dry, irritated skin. Swapping a warm shower for a cooling cleanse can also improve hair health, as there is some evidence suggesting that cold water can tighten scalp pores to lock in moisture and strengthen hair.
#2. Improved Circulation
It's not just your complexion that can benefit from cold water therapy. When you are submerged in icy water, your body enters "survival mode." Your circulatory system is put into overdrive, causing an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels.
Your body reacts to cold temperatures by restricting blood vessels to maintain your core body temperature. Blood flow is redistributed, and circulation is improved so that oxygen can more effectively reach the skin and organs.
This is why cold water therapy is particularly beneficial post-workout, as the increased blood flow helps reduce muscle soreness.
#3. Stress Relief
The benefits of a cold shower extend past the physical. Exposure to cold water can be your new go-to stress relief technique!
When the shock of cold water hits your body, your sympathetic nervous system is activated, and you experience a rush of "happy hormones." Research shows that the increase of beta-endorphins and noradrenaline can improve your mood and reduce stress.
A soothing skincare ritual is the best way to enhance the mood-boosting benefits of a cold shower. An exfoliating enzyme mask or anti-aging hand lotion are some of the best ways to improve your mental health through self-care.
#4. Immune System Boost
Cold therapy can potentially boost your immune system by increasing the production of white blood cells in your body.
However, you don't even need to take a particularly drawn-out shower to reap all the benefits of cold therapy. A study from 2016 showed a 29% decrease in sick days for participants who spent only 30 to 90 seconds taking a cold shower for 30 consecutive days.
#5. Brighten Under-Eyes
The skin under your eyes is quite delicate and can develop dark circles when you're stressed or exhausted. A cold shower can refresh and revitalize tired eyes and reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Cold water immersion causes your blood vessels to constrict, which can minimize inflammation and puffiness around the eyes. Taking a cold shower is a great way to help you appear refreshed and energized each morning!
Bonus: The Best Bedtime Skincare Routine
#6. Weight Loss
Certain cells in your body generate heat by burning fat. This activity is triggered when your body is exposed to cold water.
An ice-cold shower can also increase metabolism as your body works to maintain its core temperature. Known as thermogenesis, this process speeds up your body's metabolic rate and can help burn some calories.
#7. Improved Muscle Recovery
Cold water has regenerative properties that can help ease muscle soreness and aches. This practice can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain throughout the body.
To fully enjoy these health benefits, be sure to take a cold shower as soon as possible after an intensive workout.
#8. Full-Body Detox
Taking cold showers is one way to boost your lymphatic flow. The lymphatic system is responsible for flushing toxins and impurities from your body. Cold therapy may be able to enhance these abilities and help your lymphatic system remove waste from your body faster.
Final Thoughts
You don't need to forego hot baths and steamy showers altogether. It only takes a couple of minutes of cold exposure to enjoy these potential health and beauty benefits.
You can start with warm water before gradually turning the dial down until the stream of water is icy cold. Cold showers are typically safe for most people, but it's a good idea to consult your healthcare provider before taking the plunge.
Cold showers may help you enhance your wellness routine in a refreshing way. It can soothe stress, aid in muscle recovery, and refine skin. Though it might be difficult to bear those chilly moments, your mind and body will thank you in the long run!
Keep Reading: 5 Ways Stress Can Affect Women's Health
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Juara Skincare incorporates ancient rituals with Western skincare science, creating the ultimate beauty experience. We aim to transport you from the mundane to the extraordinary with our exotic ingredients, intoxicating scents, and powerful, skin-improving formulas. All of our products are nutrient-rich and botanically based. We are proud to be certified cruelty-free. Get the latest skin care tips and info on Juara products by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
