Ice may seem like a strange skincare ingredient, but rubbing ice on your face gently can provide a host of beauty benefits. The cold temperature constricts blood vessels, reduces inflammation, depuffs eyes, boosts circulation, and more. Read on to learn why you should be reaching for an ice cube to rejuvenate your complexion.
Soothe Irritated Skin
One of the best uses of ice is to soothe irritated skin. The cold temperature helps constrict the blood vessels under your skin, reducing blood flow to the area. This decreases inflammation, redness, pain and discomfort offering relief from conditions like acne, rosacea, rashes, sunburn and insect bites.
The cold also temporarily numbs nerve endings in your skin, providing targeted pain relief. If you have a minor skin irritation, wrap an ice cube in a soft cloth and gently glide it over the affected area for a few minutes until numb. The cooling sensation distracts nerve endings from itching or stinging. Just avoid direct contact with broken skin.
You can even rub ice on your face over areas that feel tender after hair removal. The cold will help minimize any razor bumps, waxing irritation, or tweezing sensitivity. Just be sure to use a protective cloth or paper towel so the freezing temp doesn’t damage freshly exposed skin. The icy facial will reduce discomfort.
Depuff Eyes
Wake up with puffy, tired eyes? Grab an ice cube! Gently gliding ice around the eye area constricts blood vessels to help reduce fluid accumulation under eyes that causes puffiness and bags. It provides an instant depuffing effect that can make your eyes appear brighter and more refreshed.
Wrap the ice and lightly hold it against the orbital bone for 5-10 minutes. You’ll feel the swelling go down and your eyes open up. Make sure to never tug or excessively rub the delicate under eye skin. You can also use chilled tea bags, cucumber slices or specialized ice globes. But ice cubes tend to mold to the contours of the eye socket best.
If under eye bags are an ongoing issue, using ice daily can help minimize puffiness over time by improving circulation and drainage. Just be diligent about following up with moisturizer, as ice can dry out the thin skin.
Soothe Acne Inflammation
If you wake up to a big zit, ice can be your new best friend. Rubbing ice on your face over acne helps reduce redness and pain caused by the inflammation. The cold constricts blood vessels to limit swelling. It also helps numb nerve endings so those big painful pimples hurt less.
Wrap the ice to prevent direct contact with skin. Hold for 5-10 minutes to soothe the inflammation down. Ice also slows down oil production, making it harder for more bacteria to get trapped inside pores and create more pimples. The cold temperature will help tighten your pores too.
Ice is ideal for targeting recent breakouts and minimizing their appearance. Just don’t excessively rub ice on active acne, as it could further irritate already inflamed pores. Be gentle and let the cold work its magic.
Refresh Oily Skin
Feel greasy midday? Rub some ice over problem areas to mattify and refresh your skin fast. The cold constricts blood vessels and slows down oil production from glands. By limiting blood flow, your skin stops producing as much sebum. This leaves you looking less shiny.
Ice is perfect for controlling oil and tightening pores on the forehead, nose and chin where shine tends to accumulate most. It delivers an instant matte effect. The cold temperature is also mildly astringent, helping eliminate waste buildup from pores by flushing out impurities. Your face will look cleansed.
You can even use ice to close up pores after cleansing or using steam. The cold causes pores to contract so dirt and oils won’t get trapped as easily. Just be sure to follow up icing with oil-free moisturizer so your skin doesn’t dry out. The hydration will lock in the refreshing results.
Minimize Large Pores
In addition to cleansing pores, ice can help minimize the actual look of large pores with regular use. When applied to the skin, the cold temp causes pores to contract. This tightening effect makes pores appear reduced in size. With a few weeks of daily rubbing ice on your face, pores will start to tighten up for smoother looking skin.
For the best pore-tightening results, hold an ice cube against problem areas like the nose and chin for up to 10 minutes so the cold really penetrates deep into the pores. Follow up with an oil-free, mattifying moisturizer to lock in the tightening effects. Avoid any abrasive scrubs right after icing, as skin will be sensitive.
You can also rub ice over your face after steam treatments or hot towel compresses. The heat opens pores to release dirt, and the cold constricts them again so gunk doesn’t get trapped inside as easily. With consistent icing, those pesky enlarged pores will be less noticeable.
Boost Radiance
Here’s a refreshing way to revive dull, tired skin – rub ice! The cold causes vasoconstriction, which constricts blood flow. But then when the ice is removed, blood vessels dilate and circulation increases. This rush of nutrient-rich blood to your complexion leaves skin looking bright and glowing.
By alternating cold and warmth, you’re stimulating blood flow to nourish skin from within. Improved circulation means a boost of oxygen and nutrients to skin cells for that healthy, radiant glow. It also means fewer toxins get trapped around the complexion, preventing breakouts.
Use an ice cube to massage over your face, neck and décolletage to improve microcirculation everywhere for maximized radiance. Just a few minutes helps revive weary skin. Follow with moisturizer to lock in the renewed glow.
Awaken Your Complexion
There’s nothing like the refreshing sensation of ice to awaken your complexion. The cold shock of ice gets the blood rushing. Your skin reacts by releasing collagen and elastin to defend against the cold. This boost in collagen production can help improve elasticity and firmness over time. It causes skin to renew itself with stronger cells too.
The natural flush from rubbing ice on your face leaves skin looking energized and awakened. You can quickly reenergize your look first thing in the morning by massaging ice over your face, eyes and neck. It’s a fast pick me up for tired skin that makes you appear more alert. The redness fades fast, leaving skin looking revitalized.
With regular icing, ice may even help tone the complexion. The combination of collagen stimulation and improved circulation provides a more lifted, sculpted appearance. Just a few daily minutes massaging ice around areas that need firming can reduce sagging over time.
DIY Toner
Forget fancy toners. Ice is nature’s toner! Rubbing it over skin helps close pores, eliminate oil and gunk, and tone the complexion for a brighter appearance. The cold temperature has an astringent effect that flushes out impurities while tightening everything up.
Use ice after cleansing to close up clean pores and prevent dirt buildup. The cold also mattifies skin by constricting oil glands to control excess sebum production. Less oil means fewer opportunities for bacteria to get trapped inside pores and cause acne.
Ice’s toning and tightening effects continue even after the skin returns to normal temperature. With regular use post-cleansing, you’ll notice your pores appear cleaner, tighter and clearer. Just be sure to follow icing with moisturizer to prevent dryness.
How to Rub Ice on Your Face
Now that you know the beauty benefits, it’s time to start icing that face! Here are tips for safely and effectively rubbing ice on your skin:
- Always wrap the ice in cloth – Direct contact with skin can cause damage. Use paper towels or soft cotton cloths.
- Be gentle – Lightly glide the wrapped ice around your face using gentle strokes. Never excessively rub or tug skin.
- Focus on problem areas – Target any acne, puffiness, large pores, or irritation by icing those areas for 5-10 minutes.
- Use clean ice – Dirty ice can introduce bacteria, so use filtered water ice cubes.
- Follow up with moisturizer – Hydrate skin to prevent dryness and lock in benefits.
- Limit icing to 10 minutes – Any longer can potentially cause damage to skin.
- Avoid direct contact with eyes, broken skin, etc. – Don’t ice sensitive areas.
- Stop if it becomes too uncomfortable – Discontinue use if skin gets painfully cold or irritated.
With proper technique, an icy facial massage can leave your skin looking healthier, firmer and more radiant. Just be patient for best results, as it takes time for ice to work its magic in reducing puffiness, tightening pores, soothing acne, and boosting circulation. Let the cold work its wonders on your skin!
