The intense heat of summer can be damaging to your skin, and while women often prioritize skincare, men generally tend to overlook it.

One of the simplest ways to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun is by using ice or ice water.

Washing your face with cold water is an effective way to maintain the skin’s pH balance and keep it refreshed. Here’s how ice water benefits the skin:

<h3>Shrinking of Pores</h3>

During the hot summer months, excess oil production can make your face appear oily as pores open up due to the rising temperatures. As the skin sweats and releases more oil to cool down, the pores can become clogged, leading to a dull, greasy complexion.

Ice water not only helps control excess oil secretion but also tightens and shrinks the open pores, giving your skin a smoother and more refined appearance. This can also help prevent acne and blackheads that tend to form when pores are enlarged.

<h3>Reduces Swelling and Burns</h3>

If you’re dealing with swelling, irritation, or sunburn after long exposure to the sun, washing your face with ice water can offer quick relief. The cold temperature helps improve blood circulation, reducing puffiness and alleviating swelling, giving your face a refreshed, calm look.

Ice water also soothes skin damaged by tanning or sunburn, helping to ease the pain and cool down the affected area. It acts as a natural remedy to bring down inflammation and speed up the skin’s recovery.

<h3>Maintains Skin Moisture</h3>

The intense heat and exposure to dust and pollutants during summer can remove your skin of its natural moisture, leaving it dry, flaky, and prone to damage. Ice water, however, helps control transepidermal water loss (TEWL)—the process where moisture evaporates from the skin due to damage to the protective outer barrier.

By using cold water on the skin, you help preserve the skin’s hydration levels, keeping it soft, supple, and balanced. This is especially crucial in summer when your skin is more vulnerable to dehydration.

<h3>Increase in Sebum</h3>

The summer months often bring about an increase in pimples and acne, which is primarily caused by an imbalance in sebum production.

Sebum, the skin’s natural oil, plays a key role in creating a protective barrier that keeps the skin moisturized and shielded from harmful elements. When sebum production is insufficient, the skin becomes more prone to breakouts.

Ice water stimulates sebum production, helping to restore balance and create a healthy, protective layer on the skin’s surface. This not only helps in preventing acne but also gives the skin a natural glow and smoother texture.