02 Sep Green Your Beauty Routine with Cold Showers

With the fall approaching and temperatures starting to dip, we’re betting the last thing on your mind is making the switch to cold showers… but, after doing a little research, we discovered that turning down the heat by even a small degree is a BIG help to the environment (and, as it turns out, your body!)

Why? Well, when cold water hits your skin, your body’s first reaction is to suck in more air. This increases your oxygen intake and gets the heart pumping rapidly, circulating more blood throughout the entire body (hello there, energized cells and alert brain!) Regular exposure to cold temperatures has been shown to help lower blood pressure, improve overall immunity, and accelerate weight loss by activating fat cells. In fact, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed a loss of up to 9 pounds per year with regular cold therapy exposure.

Cold also helps with muscle recovery post-workout and leads to a decrease in uric acid – a bodily fluid linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as stress and depression. And, while hot water can dry out the skin, cold water helps it retain natural moisture by tightening pores. Hair also looks shinier and feels stronger, thanks to the flattening effect cold water has on the follicles. 

Now that we know how cold water benefits YOU, let’s explore how it helps Mother Earth… 

This may seem a little obvious, but cold water isn’t heated. Thus, it uses up zero energy – a nice benefit for our planet and for your wallet. In addition, you’re far less likely to spend long amounts of time in the shower if it’s on the colder side, which helps to conserve water. After toilets and washing machines, showers require the largest amount of water with a whopping 20 gallons used for an average 8-minute soak (about 2.5 gallons per minute). That means if you can decrease your shower time by even a minute or two, you’ll be saving roughly 1,825 gallons of water per year (if you shower daily). 

If a cold shower still sounds about as comfortable as a chair cushion made of sandpaper, just take it one step at a time. By simply lowering the heat little by little, you can ease into the colder temperatures. Over time, you’ll likely acclimate to the cold and be able to enjoy the full physical benefits! For an added bonus, try making the switch to eco-friendly body products, like this luxurious collection from Sud Source… these organic goodies help to reduce the thousands of pounds of packaging waste created by the body product industry, offering refills through the mail (or in person, if you live in the Los Angeles metro area). A win/ win for all! Try it today and let us know what you think.