# Is a sauna good for your skin?

Source: https://saunabenefits.uk/benefits/skin/
Author: Kit Ellery · Updated 2026-11-04

**Short answer:** There's a little evidence it helps skin hold water. A small German study found 41 regular sauna users had a more stable skin barrier and better-hydrated outer skin than non-users. That's one study, and it can't prove the sauna caused it. Heat can also flare some skin conditions, such as rosacea.

**Evidence grade:** Weak evidence. Small or short studies, surveys, or results that are mixed.

## What has the research found?

In a German study published in 2008, researchers compared 41 healthy adults aged 20 to 49: some used a Finnish sauna regularly and some didn't. After two 15-minute sessions at 80°C, the regular users had:

- a more stable skin barrier,
- better water-holding in the outer layer of skin, and
- faster recovery of skin water loss and pH after the sauna.

It's a small study that compared different people rather than randomly assigning a sauna habit, so it can't show the sauna caused the difference. But it suggests regular heat exposure doesn't dry out healthy skin, as is sometimes claimed.

## Is a sauna good for skin conditions?

Reviews of sauna research mention mixed experiences. Some people with psoriasis report relief, while heat is a well-known trigger for itching in eczema and flushing in rosacea. We found no good trials testing saunas as a treatment for any skin condition.

## Does sweating unclog your pores?

Not really. Sweat comes out of sweat glands, not the pores that block in acne, which are hair follicles with oil glands. Heat and sweat can actually make skin oilier for a while. The "glow" afterwards is blood flowing to the skin as the vessels widen, which you can read about in [what a sauna does to your body](/basics/what-a-sauna-does-to-your-body/). It fades within an hour or so.

## Does a sauna age your skin?

There's no evidence that occasional saunas age skin, unlike sun exposure. Heat does widen small blood vessels, which is why people with rosacea often find it makes flushing worse. Infrared cabins use infrared light, not ultraviolet, so they don't tan or burn you the way sunbeds do.

## How do you look after your skin in a sauna?

- Shower before and after.
- Sit on a towel, and keep sessions short at first.
- Moisturise afterwards if your skin tends to be dry.
- Remove metal jewellery, which heats up.
- Skip the sauna on sunburn or broken skin.
- Drink water before and after, as dehydration shows in your skin too. See [hydration](/how-to/hydration/).

If you have eczema, psoriasis or rosacea and want to try a sauna, start with short, cooler sessions and see how your skin responds over a few visits. A [cold shower afterwards](/cold-water/) can help calm flushing.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does a sauna clear acne?

There's no good evidence that it does. Sweating doesn't clean pores, and heat and sweat can irritate acne-prone skin. Shower and wash your face after a session.

### Is a sauna good for eczema or psoriasis?

Some people with psoriasis find warmth eases their skin, while heat and sweat are a common trigger for eczema itch. There are no good trials either way. If you have a skin condition, start with short sessions, moisturise afterwards and stop if it gets worse.

### Does a sauna make you look younger?

There's no evidence that it does. Any glow after a session is from blood flowing to the skin and fades within an hour or so.

## References

1. [Kowatzki D et al. Effect of regular sauna on epidermal barrier function and stratum corneum water-holding capacity in vivo in humans: a controlled study. Dermatology, 2008.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18525205/)
2. [Hannuksela ML, Ellahham S. Benefits and risks of sauna bathing. American Journal of Medicine, 2001.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11165553/)
3. [Hussain J, Cohen M. Clinical effects of regular dry sauna bathing: a systematic review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29849692/)
4. [Kukkonen-Harjula K, Kauppinen K. Health effects and risks of sauna bathing. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 2006.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16871826/)