Ice Ice Baby

In this context, I’m literally talking about rubbing ice on your face. Yep, those ice cubes in the freezer? Wrap them in gauze or cloth and take it to the face!  

So, why should you do it? Like many forms of cryotherapy, icing your face has many benefits:

Although it’s not a long term fix, skin exposure to ice reduces inflammation and redness associated with blemishes. This also decreases pain that comes from cystic acne spots. The real pieces of work. 🙄

Gently massaging ice around your face helps to increase lymphatic drainage. This technique helps remove excess fluid that causes puffiness. Bye bye puffy morning eyes. Similar to jade rollers or gua sha stones, massaging ice in an upwards motion helps lift and contour.

To boost results, incorporate ice into your treatments. Applying ice after serums will create a pulling effect that helps illuminating and skin-softening ingredients penetrate deeper. The perfect at-home facial.

“My favorite way to use it is to massage in your serums and then run an ice cube over your face. This makes the skin contract so the pores almost ‘grab’ onto the product and help it absorb better,” says Czech. You never want to directly put ice on your face without wrapping it in gauze or cloth. You also don’t want to keep the ice in one spot for too long. Keep moving it around! This way you get the cold without the freezing. 

Like I (and Joanna Czech) recommended earlier, pair your ice massage with your favorite skin-care product. This will make it easier to move around your delicate skin and allow the products to penetrate deeper. Win win!  

Here is the ice tool I am currently using!

Like any tip or product, skin icing might not be for everyone! It’s also not something to do every single day. If you’re wanting an everyday solution to depuff morning eyes or refresh the skin, consider sticking your serums, sheet masks and toner in the refrigerator!