Keep washing your face with lukewarm water, even when it's freezing.

Yes, avoid hot water on your face regardless of the weather — cold outside doesn’t change what hot water does to your skin.

Hot water strips your skin’s natural oils and damages the moisture barrier. When it’s freezing, your skin is already drier and more sensitive because of low humidity and harsh wind. Blasting it with hot water makes things worse: more redness, more flaking, more irritation.

Lukewarm water (tepid, not cold, not hot) is the sweet spot. It cleans effectively without nuking your face. If you’re freezing after a shower, pat your face dry and apply moisturizer while skin is still damp. That traps the warmth and locks in hydration better than hot water ever could.

Your face will thank you later.