Hot vs cold temperatures: What works best for your skin?

A low-down on when to use either type of skincare and our best picks

By Goh Yee Huay - 13 May 2022

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Hot and cold therapies for the skin have always been around, but how do you know when to use either?

According to Dr Kok Wai Leong, dermatologist at DS Skin & Wellness Clinic, heat therapy may be useful for wound healing as it boosts blood flow to the skin, bringing more oxygen and nutrients for skin repair. “Heat also alleviates swelling in skin inflammation or infections. And there has been research to show that skin permeability increases with heating of the skin. Theoretically, this will increase the absorption of treatment products that are applied.”

In simpler terms, heat is known to increase skin permeability, which helps better absorption of your skincare, allowing your products to penetrate deeper layers of your skin.

Cold therapy, on the other hand, is best used to combat inflammation and irritation due to its numbing and soothing effects. "Cooling products like sheet masks and massagers do temporarily relieve skin inflammation and itching. They also help to address dark circles and eye fatigue, which can be partially caused by vasodilation or enlargement of blood vessels in the skin around eyes," says Dr Low Chai Ling, founder of SW1 Clinic

While popping into an aesthetic clinic for either therapy might not always be a viable option, beauty brands have found ways to help you cool down or turn the heat up at home. Scroll down to check out our picks for the beauty picks that will help keep your skin in tip-top condition, even without a dermatologist or aesthetician on speed dial.

Chill Out: Cle de Peau Beaute Brightening Mask Supreme, $440

1/11

This two-part sheet mask hedges on slight temperature changes to enhance its effects. A warming gel exfoliator that comes with it is used beforehand to purify and prep skin, while the mask delivers an immediate cooling, calming sensation upon application.

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Chill Out: Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Face Mask, $114

2/11

Drawing on the skin-reviving properties of cryotherapy and the depuffing, anti-inflammatory benefits of acupressure, this reusable silicone mask works to give you a fresher, well-rested complexion and more lifted contours.

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Chill Out: Patchology Serve Chilled Bubbly Eye Gels, $55 for 15 pairs

3/11

Made with orange extract, resveratrol and niacinamide, these eye patches are great pre-event preppers that quickly brighten and smooth the under-eye area. Store them in the fridge for an extra cooling feel.

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Chill Out: Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Pore Mask, $46

4/11

A cooling and antioxidant-rich clay mask that’s inspired by the Scandinavian practice of cold plunging, it has a host of botanicals to help soothe and mattify skin while refining the look of pores. Expect very clean, fresh-looking skin after use.

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Chill Out: 111Skin Sub-Zero De- Puffing Eye Mask, $135 for eight pairs

5/11

No more dark circles and puffiness with this cooling hydrogel mask. It energises and enlivens tired peepers with seaweed extract and a peptide complex. Vitamin E provides antioxidant support, so skin is more resilient to damage.

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Hot Stuff: Pixi In-Shower Steam Facial Self-Heating Collagen Mask, $38

6/11

Perk up dull, tired skin with this deep-cleanser containing skin-plumping peptides and plant collagen. Designed for use in the shower when pores are opened up by the heat, it transforms from a gel to an oil as it gets massaged over the face.

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Hot Stuff: Boscia Detoxifying Black Charcoal Cleanser, $50

7/11

It heats up upon contact with skin to open up pores to more effectively clear out gunk and oil. With continued use, it helps to refine pores and skin texture, while improving skin clarity.

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Hot Stuff: Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask, $61

8/11

Its blend of honey, propolis and royal jelly delivers an ultra moisture boost to skin, while an antioxidant echinacea complex further enhances hydration benefits. It starts to warm as it is massaged over skin, turning from a jelly-like texture to a cream.

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Hot Stuff: Philosophy Purity Made Simple Pore Extractor, $55

9/11

A cream mask that warms upon skin contact, it has white clay, salicylic acid and other natural exfoliants to deep-cleanse pores and draw out blackheads. Leaves complexion looking fresh, clear and with less visible pores.

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Hot Stuff: Foreo Luna 3 Plus, $469

10/11

Combines micro-pulsations, gentle heat and extra soft silicone bristles for a luxurious-feeling facial cleanse. It promises to remove 99.5 per cent of oil, dirt and makeup residue, while also exfoliating dead skin cells.

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Hot Stuff: Osim uGlow Eye, $129

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This heated eye massager promises to address eye bags, dark circles and wrinkles using sonic vibration and LED light. The warmth can be adjusted to your comfort level, helping to soothe tired eyes and boost blood circulation.

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