What is skin icing and how does it work? From soothing redness and blemishes to boosting the appearance of cheekbones, here’s why cooling tools like rollers and globes are great for your complexion
- Looking for a new skincare method to add to your routine? Try skin icing – a form of cryotherapy where your skin is exposed to cold temperatures, which results in a more youthful complexion
- Aside from the benefits, there are risks involved – especially for those with reactive or sensitive skin; experts recommend wrapping ice cubes in a cloth or using ice globes instead
Using ice cubes to cool off during hot summer days is great, but did you know that using ice on your face is a year-round skincare method?
Skin icing is not only a natural make-up primer but can also give you cheekbones for days – a reason top facialists and make-up artists have been using it as their secret weapon for years. However, like any skincare practice, this method requires caution and proper technique to avoid risks.
What is skin icing?
Skin icing is a form of cryotherapy treatment involving exposing your skin to cold temperatures to soothe redness, boost exfoliation and control blemishes. You can use a variety of icy, cool tools to take advantage of its benefits, from ice rollers to ice cubes from your freezer to enhance the look of your skin.
The magic happens when you gently glide something as cold as an ice cube over your skin, rapidly increasing blood flow to the surface. This circulation surge delivers a fresh supply of nutrients to the outer layer of your skin, resulting in a tighter and more youthful complexion.
What are its benefits?
Skin icing offers benefits that can improve the overall appearance of your skin. Firstly, it can reduce inflammation, like when you ice an injury or swelling. By applying cold therapy to the skin, those with inflammatory skin conditions like acne and rosacea can experience a decrease in skin inflammation – a key trigger for these conditions.
Additionally, skin icing helps minimise the appearance of enlarged pores, making them appear smaller and less noticeable. It can also aid in unclogging pores that may be enlarged due to debris and excess sebum, resulting in a toned and smoother-looking complexion.
It can also provide exfoliating properties, because exposing your skin to low temperatures can gently remove the outer layer of dead skin cells, stimulating the growth of new cells underneath and giving you a fresh and rejuvenated look.
Furthermore, ice can be remarkably soothing for blemishes. It can reduce swelling and redness associated with pimples, providing relief and a calmer appearance to irritated skin. Additionally, by reducing swelling, skin icing can enhance the effectiveness of topical creams, allowing them to penetrate the pores more effectively and target bacteria.