Andrew Huberman Talks About Cold Showers. Let's Talk About What They're Doing to Your Skin.

Andrew Huberman has made cold showers the wellness equivalent of CrossFit - something people won't stop talking about. The neuroscientist's deep dive into cold exposure has convinced half the internet that freezing their ass off every morning is the secret to becoming an optimised human being.

And look, the science is compelling. Cold showers can boost dopamine, improve metabolism, and allegedly turn you into the kind of person who crushes Monday mornings instead of being crushed by them. But while everyone's debating whether 2 minutes of arctic water therapy will unlock their inner superhuman, there's one conversation that's been quietly ignored: what this daily ice bath is actually doing to your skin.

The Cold Truth About Your Skin Barrier

Here's what happens when you subject your skin to Huberman's beloved cold exposure protocol. Your skin barrier takes a beating. And not the good kind of beating that builds character, the kind that leaves your face looking like you've just stepped out of an MMA ring.

Cold water constricts blood vessels, which sounds great for reducing inflammation (and it can be), but it also disrupts your skin's natural oil production. Your sebaceous glands basically go into panic mode, either overproducing oil to compensate or shutting down entirely. Neither scenario ends well for your Tinder presence.

 

The real kicker? Most guys following the cold shower protocol are doing it wrong from a skincare perspective. They're stepping out of their polar bear plunge, toweling off aggressively, and walking away thinking they've just optimised their entire existence. Meanwhile, their skins protective barrier is coming undone faster than the US judicial system.

Why Your Post-Shower Routine Matters More Than Your Water Temperature

Let's get practical. If you're committed to the cold shower life (and the dopamine hit that comes with it), you need to understand what happens in those critical minutes afterward. Your skin is in a state of mild shock - blood vessels are constricted, natural oils are disrupted, and your skin barrier is temporarily compromised.

This is where most wellness bros completely drop the ball. They've optimised their morning routine for mental performance and metabolic benefits, but they've forgotten that their skin is their largest organ (despite what some may say) and it needs attention too.

The science is simple: cold water strips away natural oils more aggressively than warm water. Add soap to the equation, and you've created the perfect storm for dry, irritated skin. Your skin tries to recover by either going into overdrive (eg unexpected breakouts) or shutting down (think Keith Richards).

Damage Control Protocol

Here's how to keep your skin from sabotaging your wellness routine:

Immediately after your cold shower - and I mean immediately - your skin is primed for moisture absorption. This is your golden window. Your pores are clean, your circulation is about to rebound, and your skin is ready to drink up whatever you give it.

This is where Korean skincare science meets good old Aussie practicality. You don't need a 12-step routine, but you do need to be strategic. A quality moisturiser with ceramides and hyaluronic acid will restore your skin barrier while locking in hydration. 

The key ingredients to look for: Ceramide NP helps rebuild your skin barrier after cold exposure, while hyaluronic acid pulls moisture from the air and holds it in your skin. It's like having a personal hydration system that works even when you're subjecting yourself to arctic water temperatures.

The Bigger Picture

Here's what the wellness community gets wrong about cold showers: they treat it like a magic bullet instead of one tool in a larger toolkit. Cold exposure has legitimate benefits, but those benefits mean nothing if you're walking around with skin that looks like you've been living in a desert.

Your skin reflects your overall health and lifestyle choices. If you're focused on dopamine and metabolism with cold showers but ignoring the fact that your skin barrier is compromised, you're basically building a sports car with wooden wheels.

Embrace the cold shower benefits while acknowledging that your skin needs support to handle the stress. It's not about choosing between wellness trends and skincare, it's about being smart with how you integrate them.

At The End Of The Day

Andrew Huberman's cold shower protocol can be a game-changer for mental clarity and metabolic health. But if you're following his advice without considering what it's doing to your skin, you're only getting half of the story.

Cold showers aren't inherently bad for your skin - they're just demanding. Your skin can handle the challenge, but it needs the right support system. A strategic post-shower routine isn't about vanity; it's about maintaining the health of your skin.