Is it bad to wash our face in the shower?
Monday, 5 October 2009 Tags: skin care tips
Here’s something new that I just came across while browsing a forum last week – that washing our face in the shower is bad for our skin, given the water pressure and the toxins in the water itself. Is this true?
I think the water pressure makes sense and a strong pressure is particularly bad for those with sensitive or acne skin as that might cause the bacteria to spread. But if the water stream is gentle, I really don’t see a problem. And I’m not sure if the water from the shower head is different from water from the tap. It’s from the same source and whatever toxins will be the same isn’t it?
So what do you all think? I know some of you specifically wash your face only at the sink. Is there a specific reason? Personally, I wash my face when I take my shower but my habit is to collect the water in my hands before splashing on my face. And usually, I end off with a cold splash of water at the sink.
Well, there seems to be so much to learn about washing our face. If you want to find out more facial cleansing tips, check out my previous post by clicking on the link.
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Posted in Beauty | 39 Comments »
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October 5th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
i usually wash my face using shower because i always make a mess while using the tap to wash. i will adjust the water pressure until its gentle for my face to use. and i thought the water from the shower is the same as the water from the tap? O.O
sesame Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
I think I have an idea of what you mean by mess. I can’t wash my entire face at the sink. I find I waste more water cos I have to splash more.
October 5th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
haha, I should like to think that any water fit for drinking is suitable to wash the face.
If we are talking about bacteria forming around those little holes, then the same goes for tap water, and also filter systems like diamond water. So there is no difference.
Perhaps the water pressure as you said, is the main concern.
But yes, I don’t see a problem if the water is turned down.
I basically don’t really care, and use every method, from tap wash (when I have clothes on), to direct from shower, to use my hands to collect and splash from shower.
I prefer shower, cos I like warm water. And I don’t practise cold water splashing, cos I can’t tolerate the icy feel.
Also, I feel that the continuous stream of water from the shower is actually cleaner than if I use my hands to cup water from the tap, because it flushes. Plus that flushing also means I rub my face less.
sesame Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Here in Singapore, our water is quite good so it’s not a big issue. In other countries, some of their water contains more metal and is more chlorinated, hence can be drying for the skin. I guess that’s what it meant by “toxins” but the water coming from that tap in the sink really shouldn’t be different from the shower head. *scratches head*
But yes, I’ll do with washing my face in the shower…it’s much more convenient to me and like you, I like warm water.
October 5th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I drink water straight from the tap, so if it’s safe to drink, it must be fine for my face too.
I understand that the water pressure could be a problem, but I tend to collect the water in my hands and then splash it on my face.
Personally I wash my face both at the sink and in the shower, and it hasn’t posed a problem for me yet =)
sesame Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
I would love to have a filtered shower head but heh…that’s in the ideal world! Otherwise, I agree that water from the tap is fine for my face too.
October 5th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I do wash my face in the shower too, but I always make sure the water is not too hot. Have been advised by facial therapist to wash with room temperature water.
sesame Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Yup, too hot is not good and same goes for cold water too. Hot water is drying and both hot and cold water in the extremes can cause broken capillaries.
October 5th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Once in a while i use the shower but I very much often use the sink rather than the shower. It’s a force of habit =] and routinize activity.
sesame Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Yeah, old habits die hard.
October 5th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
everyday I wash my face in shower when I shower.
hehe… but water too hot!! 
oh yeah grab award at my blog
sesame Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Try not to wash your face in hot water. Can be drying to your skin in the long run, or cause broken capillaries.
Oh thanks…I’ll go check it out!
October 5th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
i heard somewhere a long time ago that shower water is recycled from toilet bowl water and is different from tap water’s source but im too sure about that cos it’s a very vague memory..
sesame Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Huh? That’s really funny to me…haha…I don’t think mine comes from that source. Well, I certainly hope not!
October 5th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
I do realize that my face is cleaner when I wash by the sink, as I use a facial cleansing cloth or sponge, but when I wash my face under the shower, usually during travels, the running water makes my face ‘wobble’ too much that makes skin somewhat drying after the shower… so perhaps it might be the said ‘pressure’… I always feel that showering at home is cleaner than during travels on holidays… its never as cleaned, even when the same skincare products are used… psychological perhaps.
sesame Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Depending on where you go, the water is indeed different and some can cause skin or even hair problems…
October 5th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
A Japanese dermatologist once told me that it’s very bad to wash your face under the shower due to the pressure, unless you are an oily skin type of person. She told me that the pressure washes away a great amount of natural sebum. So I personally would not recommend dry/normal skin people to wash face under the shower.
Good blog, Sesame! Loving it!
sesame Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Hey, this is interesting and useful info! I actually thought the pressure might promote sagging or something but didn’t connect to the loss of natural sebum. Thanks for sharing this!
October 5th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Oh this is such a cute post. I have thought about this b4 and to me it doesnt really make sense. cause we have to bath anyways and water inevitably gets into our face. Its just a matter of when we wash our face. After we finishing lathering and washing away all the shampoo seems to be the better idea… also, I;m no expert on this topic so, when I’m lazy I wash my face in the shower and when I’m more hardworking, I wash at the sink!!! hahaha
sesame Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Yes, you’re right about the water getting to our face. But I cannot handle the downward pressure of the water on my face head on…difficult to breathe lah. I always wash my hair head down and then wash face with the water collected separately.
October 5th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
I always wash my face in the shower because its the 2nd cleansing step I do after makeup remover.
My beautician also advised me against washing my face in the shower. She said that the temperature will hurt my face.
However, I don’t think so. My heater has some problems. The water is only lukewarm and the pressure isn’t that great either.
During travel, I will be more careful. I will cup the water from the shower to wash my face. Or if the pressure of the water is too strong, I will fill the facial sponge with water and use it to wash my face. No direct contact.
sesame Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
The heat is something we need to be aware…sometimes I just want to feel the steam even though I know hot water isn’t good.
October 6th, 2009 at 12:44 am
I usually wash my face in the shower after I’ve shampoo and condition. Its easier to me, unless I’m sleeping over at a friends or at a hotel, I take more precaution.
sesame Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Ya, I think that’s quite the norm as it’s really more convenient.
October 6th, 2009 at 7:12 am
I’ve read at least twice that it’s not good to wash your face in the shower, especially if you use hot water because the steam strap in the bacteria, so your face isn’t as clean as it should be. I’ve never heard of the water pressure before. However, I don’t have a problem washing either at the sink or in the shower. I’ve even read that its not good to slather on body wash while the water’s running as well, that you should let the cleanser does its job before letting it get all mixed up with water??? I forgot why, but it wasn’t because of everyone starts to be more concious about the environment like lately.
sesame Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Yes, the bacteria spread I’ve come across especially for those with acne. But never heard anything about not slathering body wash when water is running. I’m highly guilty of that!
October 6th, 2009 at 8:12 am
As long as what you are using to wash with is clean & pure even herbal based then shouldn’t matter where you was.
October 6th, 2009 at 9:27 am
i always clean my face at night in the shower but the water pressure is so low at my high rise apartment, i think its ok. i do notice a higher water pressure when i do the same in hotels on trips
sesame Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 9:40 am
The low water pressure should be fine. Anyway, it’s hard to wash our face when the water pressure is too high.
October 6th, 2009 at 10:06 am
icksssss … i’ve always washed my face in the shower as it’s more convenient. I hate washing my face at the sink as it’s so difficult to contain the water droplets from splashing and making sure the face is clean. But thanks for the tip, will watch out on water pressure and temp.
sesame Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Don’t worry as long as the pressure isn’t strong. A lot of us wash our faces during showering too.
October 6th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Interesting~ sometimes If I can avoid it I will try not to wash my face under the shower.. cause usually i cant stand bathing in too cold water and the water is just warm for my body but not my face. But still.. I doubt we can completely avoid water getting onto our face..maybe just be more careful if the pressure is too high
)
sesame Reply:
October 7th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Yes, you’re right. Just be careful about the water pressure. Otherwise, shower as per normal.
October 6th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
i wash my face in shower all the time and nothing bad happened to my face. I think it should be fine as long as the water pressure is not too strong.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:09 am
how interesting!! I better stop doing that than – i do that all of the time in the shower!! eek!
October 9th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
When I wash my face in the shower I never stick my head under the shower head, I still cup some water in my hands and then on to my face, just like when I’m at the sink.
sesame Reply:
October 9th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
That’s what I do too…
October 26th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
thanks for tell me dont wash in hot shower. I will wash first then only shower. hope not forget its a bad habit I wash face in shower.
sesame Reply:
October 26th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Try to keep the pressure lower if you wash your face in the shower…otherwise should be okay.