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I’ll be honest: I’m a sucker for skincare.
Perhaps it’s due to my skin’s rocky history. By the time I was 14, my entire face was a mess of pimples (my nickname at the time was “pepperoni face”). High school was rough. My dermatologist prescribed Accutane, which made my lips crack and bleed and led to a mini mental-health crisis.
The Accutane did what it was supposed to, and my face looked more like a dry prune than a pepperoni pizza when I completed the treatment. A success, I guess?
Ever since, I’ve been stockpiling skincare products and tips like my life depended on it. Most of my paycheck is devoted to the latest skincare craze.
But the newest skincare hack — and most effective for me — doesn’t cost a penny. It’s the ice-water facial, and I’ve been doing it daily for the past few months. I recently went to the dermatologist for my annual scan, and he commented that I had the best skin he’d ever seen on someone my age (44), and I attribute this solely to the ice-water facial.
The ice water facial is just as simple as it sounds. I literally dunk my face in a large bowl of ice water every morning and hold my breath for 30 seconds. When I emerge, my skin feels and looks tighter, my pores are smaller and I feel incredibly energized. It honestly does more for my face than some of the top skincare products I’ve tried.
And many dermatologists agree.
Since cold temperatures constrict blood vessels, the ice-water facial reduces swelling and inflammation, which is especially helpful for areas prone to puffiness, such as under the eyes, says Dr. Rachel Day, vice president of clinical care at Zest Dermatology.
The superficial vasoconstriction also improves the appearance of facial redness, making the skin appear more even-toned, she adds.
“Deeper in the skin, there is an increase in blood flow as the body works to maintain its internal temperature,” says Dr. Day. “This improved circulation can bring more oxygen and nutrients to the skin surface, improving radiance.”
It also works for my 13-year-old daughter, who joined me in the daily ritual after seeing my skin’s results. Her skin was dotted with pimples and blackheads, but within about 12 hours of trying the ice-water facial, the blemishes were gone.
That’s because the ice water reduces inflammation and can minimize redness in skin that is prone to rosacea or blemishes, says Dr. Geeta Yadav, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET, a cosmetic dermatology center in Toronto.
Dermatologists recommend doing the facial ice bath daily for no longer than 30 seconds (you’ll probably have to work up to the 30-second mark, as it’s very uncomfortable initially). Overuse can lead to damage due to prolonged vasoconstriction, possibly weakening the capillary walls and causing telangiectasia (spider veins), says Dr. Ekta Yadav, a scientist, doctor and host of the podcast Skincare Anarchy.
And while an ice bath seems to be a harmless skincare hack, it’s not for everyone. If you have very reactive, sensitive skin, it may have a drying effect. Applying an unscented moisturizing lotion post-ice-water exposure will ensure the hydration is locked into the skin rather than compromising the skin’s barrier, says Dr. Day.
She suggests starting with short exposures of 5 to 10 seconds, gradually increasing the time and frequency as your skin adjusts. You can also test the cold exposure on a small area first or use a cold compress instead.
While many people like to add aloe vera, lavender or lemon juice to the ice bath, it’s not recommended by skincare specialists. Your skin may react to allergens these ingredients may carry, says Stacey Tapping, founder of Beauty Sculpting Room, a clinic offering advanced aesthetic and non-surgical treatments.
Have any of you ever tried an ice-water facial? Would you want to? Let us know in the comments below.
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