The most basic form of skin icing is when you use an ice cube to reduce under-eye or facial puffiness. It has long been a staple of skincare wisdom (we’ve all used a refrigerated spoon or cucumber slices on our eyes in the past, right?).
Far from being an old wives’ tale, there’s science behind this age-old advice. When actual ice is applied to the skin, it causes blood to rise to the surface (think of that rosy glow you get after a brisk winter walk), which soothes and tightens the skin. Also known as an ice facial, skin icing is a cryotherapy treatment where vaporized nitrogen is used to cool the skin of the face, scalp, and neck area.
Ice has long been a secret to clear skin and a healthy-looking glow.
Skin Icing Benefits
As mentioned, the technique has a wide range of benefits for our facial skin. It’s not a full-blown de-aging method, better take a look at skin icing before and after pics online and you’ll see that it can tighten the skin pretty nicely. Here are some of its benefits:
– Fights wrinkles
– Eliminates blemishes and acne
– Promotes blood circulation in the face
– Refreshes the skin
– Shrinks enlarged pores
These are just some of the benefits of this great technique. It has been used for quite a long time and the skincare industry is just now recognizing skin icing benefits.
Below we take a look at the biggest skin icing benefits when you use the technique properly.
Glowing Skin
When applied to the skin, the ice cubes help boost blood circulation which gives it a healthy natural glow. To give the skin a more radiant glow use ice fruit cubes.
Dark Circle Treatment
A combination of rose water and cucumber juice when frozen can be used under the eye circles. This combination will reduce the puffiness in your face and make you look better.
Reduces Blemishes
Ice cubes can help reduce the redness and inflammation caused by blemishes and pimples. You can apply them directly on the affected areas just for a few seconds until it feels numb. You can do this every other day at night.
Skin Toner
Ice cubes are a cheap toner or skin smoother. You can use this method before applying the makeup. It will minimize the pores and leave your foundation flawless and smooth.
Prevents Wrinkles
Skin icing reduces the appearance of wrinkles just like the popular Tanaka facial massage. This technique will also ease the signs of aging.
Makeup Substitute
If you don’t have time to put on makeup, apply the ice cubes with a cloth wrap in order to get the fresh and radiant look without the traces of makeup. You will get a more natural look.
Skin Icing Tips
– Skin icing can be done without the use of cloth wrap, but remember to wear the gloves in order to hold the ice properly.
– Use cloth wrap or wash cloth to apply the ice on the skin. That will have the same effect like when you apply the ice directly on the face.
– The extreme cold can easily break the capillaries under the skin, so don’t use the ice cubes directly from the freezer if you want to use a bare ice cube.
– If the cold from the ice cube becomes too uncomfortable, stop the process. Avoid icing one place for more than 15 min.
– Don’t use bare ice cubes on the skin that has already broken capillaries or don’t use the ice for a long time.
– Fill the water for the ice cubes with cucumber, lemon, rose water, green tea, chamomile tea and other safe ingredients depending on your type of skin.