Hot tubs provide a number of benefits for your whole body—and yes, that includes your skin!
Hot Tub Skin Benefits
We know that soaking in a soothing hot tub can feel good, but is it actually good for us? Specifically, do hot tubs benefit our skin?
The skin is our largest organ and our protective barrier against the outside world, and when things go wrong, the damage often shows up plainly for us to see. It’s natural to be concerned about whether something will do harm to our skin. Many of us even go to great lengths to keep our skin looking pristine, with complicated daily regimens and various tonics and toners!
So you might be surprised to read that a relaxing, zero-effort soak in your hot tub can actually have several benefits for your skin. Here are just some of the ways that hot tubs can be good for your skin:
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Improved circulation.
The warmth of hot tub water against your skin causes your blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow to your body’s surface. That blood brings with it fresh nutrients and oxygen, nourishing the skin cells. The enhanced blood flow also promotes cell turnover, similar to how exfoliating our skin encourages cell turnover to expose a fresh new layer of skin cells beneath.
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Opens your pores.
The steam coming off the water can encourage your skin pores to open, allowing any dirt to wash away, along with any excess oils and bacteria that may be clogging up your skin.
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Promotes detoxification.
Heat causes us to sweat. Soaking in a hot tub can encourage your body to sweat out toxins and remove any dead skin cells that may be stubbornly sticking around, giving you a brighter complexion.
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Stress relieving.
A relaxing dip in your hot tub can go a long way to melting away the stresses of the day. Stress can affect every part of your body—including the skin. This can be due to raised cortisol levels, increased inflammation or even certain skin conditions. All of these things can affect skin appearance and texture, which can in turn increase stress and anxiety. Treating yourself to a stress-relieving soak can stop the stress-skin cycle in its tracks.
Incorporating Your Hot Tub Into Your Skincare Routine
Regular use of your hot tub and making it part of a holistic approach to your skin and self-care is well worth the results.
However, to get the most of these skin care benefits, there are a few guidelines to follow:
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Shower before and after hot tubbing.
Showering beforehand to remove any lotions or products from your skin is recommended if you want to keep your tub functioning well. Showering afterwards allows you to reap the steamy, skin-cleansing benefits of your soak by rinsing away any excess grime or cells that may have been purged from your skin.
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Moisturise your skin AFTER using your hot tub.
After your post-hot tub shower, applying a moisturiser to lock in hydration can counteract the drying effects of hot water and chlorine.
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Maintaining your hot tub.
To avoid skin irritation and skin damage—the polar opposite of the skin benefits we’re trying to achieve—it’s important to take care of your hot tub too. Testing the water regularly, balancing the pH levels and keeping the tub sanitised will benefit both your hot tub’s longevity and your skin’s wellbeing!
If you want your skin to look perfectly pristine, you’ll need to make sure your hot tub is pristine too. Check out our Hot Tub Cleaning & Maintenance Guide for pointers, or use the links below if you need to stock up on essentials!
Buy pH Test Strips Buy Cleaning Products
