We know, we know: If you love a long, spa-grade shower experience, shivering under the spray doesn’t sound too enjoyable. But if you can get up the gumption to turn the faucet to freezing (if only for 60 seconds!) you may wind up with a bunch of beauty benefits. Here’s a running list of reasons to withstand the chill: Shamban concurs: “The circulatory boost also gives an immediate, albeit temporary, improvement in the appearance of pores and skin tone,” she says. “The tightening of pores can also temporarily help to reduce any ingress of pollutants and thus improve the skin’s ability to function and respond to free radicals or fight cellular injury.” That’s why celebrity hairstylist Annagjid “Kee” Taylor recommends a cooler shower to keep the scalp happy and hydrated. “Cold water, unlike hot water, does not dry out the naturally lubricated barrier that provides protection for your skin and hair, known as the sebum layer,” she says. Bonus points if you incorporate scalp-specific oils (like jojoba oil) to further moisturize the skin: “Jojoba makes an excellent moisturizer for dryness since the active components of jojoba oil mimic the body’s natural oils due to its waxy nature,” notes naturopathic doctor Tess Marshall, N.D. You want to seal down the cuticle after the hair soaks up all that moisture—when your cuticles are flat, your hair is healthier, shinier, and smoother. And that’s where a cold shower comes into play: “Taking a cold shower leaves room for the cold water to close up your pores and cuticles, which helps keep the moisture in and creates smoother, shinier, and less frizzy hair,” says Taylor. In summary: Brief yet intense cold exposures have been associated with a balanced inflammatory response1, improved sleep2, muscle and joint health3, and mood support4—it’s why longevity experts love a good ice bath. And according to longevity expert and Harvard geneticist David Sinclair, Ph.D., a cold plunge also activates the production of brown fat5: “Brown fat is super healthy,” he says on the mindbodygreen podcast. Brown fat burns energy to create heat and manage body temperature, which is why it’s activated by colder temperatures. Both Shamban and Rodney also recommend steering clear if you have an irregular or arrhythmic heartbeat, as you don’t want to put additional unnecessary stress on your heart. If you’re at all concerned, make sure to speak with your doctor before testing the waters. Finally, remember to slather on a body lotion after stepping out of the shower, regardless of water temperature. Those water droplets—whether hot or cold—can easily evaporate off the surface of your skin and leave it even drier than before.
