The Tip of the Iceberg: Why My Skin Looks So Good
We’re always on the hunt for the best ways to achieve youthful, rejuvenated, glowing skin. With so many trends, products and treatments out there, it can be tricky to know where to start. A trend that has been around for a while now (and is totally worth the hype), is skin icing. This chilly facial has numerous benefits and can be done easily from the comfort of your own home, which is a definite added bonus. It is even known to be a staple in Korean women’s beauty routines, and we all know skincare in Korea is amazing. So what is skin icing? And what are its perks? We’ve investigated this beauty hack from top to bottom, so you don’t have to…
Skin icing is a form of cryotherapy treatment, in which our skin is subjected to very cold temperatures with the aim of producing a variety of positive skincare outcomes including reducing puffiness and inflammation, tightening the skin, reducing pore size and more. In the context of a clinic this is often done by way of liquid nitrogen, yet many top facialists and makeup artists swear by the humble ice cube to beautify both theirs and their clients’ skin. The theory behind facial icing involves the fact that when ice is applied to the skin, the cold temperature causes blood to rise to the surface, as well as constrict and tighten blood vessels, which subsequently brings about a variety of skin benefits.
Glowing Complexion
One of the main benefits of skin icing is glowing complexion. By improving circulation through cold therapy, we can achieve that youthful and rejuvenated glow that everyone is after. We can also see this effect when we go outside in the wintertime and get a rosy glow!
De-puffing Problem Areas
Let’s be honest, lots of us wake up with puffy skin, especially around our eyes. The contraction of dilated blood vessels under the skin through the use of ice on puffy problem areas helps to reduce swelling and inflammation, leaving your skin looking smooth and fresh. It can also have a lymphatic drainage effect, helping to release fluid build-up and drain toxins out of the area, according to aesthetician Lori Scarso.
Shrinking Pores
Pores are something we all have, but we don’t want to draw too much attention to them. Skin icing can definitely help with this! Giving yourself an ice facial can help to unclog larger pores that contain excess oils and sebum. The ice can also cause a positive reaction in your skin, during which the cold temperature forces the blood vessels under our skin to tighten, giving the appearance of smaller, less visible pores.
Reduced Signs of Ageing
Another big win that comes with icing your face is the reduced signs of ageing. The constriction and tightening of the skin that occurs when we ice it, helps to minimise signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles.
Acne
Skin icing is arguably one of the best at home remedies for dealing with inflamed acne and blemishes. Icing can also work as a preventative measure for acne, as it can allow for maximum absorption of our skincare products, helping the active ingredients in your skincare products to penetrate deeper into your skin.
Soothing Redness And Irritation
The low temperature of the ice can help to cool and soothe any irritation or angry redness your skin may be experiencing.
DO IT YOURSELF
How Can I Skin Ice At Home?
The great beauty of skin icing is how effortless, non-invasive and cost effective it is. Simply cleanse your face so you have a fresh base to work with. Celerity facialist Ole Hendriksen recommends wrapping an ice cube in thin cotton cloth and gently massaging it across your skin using circular motions for a few minutes. You can also switch things up, by freezing rose-hip seed tea, which is high in vitamin C, or even a simple green tea, which is loaded with antioxidants. We recommend using this icy facial with your usual skincare routine as according to aesthetician Renée Rouleau, the ice helps to seal in the product and help it penetrate deeper into the skin via a pulling effect, so it is a good idea to follow an ice facial with your favourite moisturiser.
However, if the thought of skin icing is a bit too chilling for you, there are still several other ways to reap similar benefits that won’t be as much of shock to your system first thing in the morning. Simply refrigerating your skincare or facial tools can give a similar effect. There are a variety of facial tools on the market that can come in handy for these at home facials such as face rollers, gua shas, and ice globes. Furthermore, if you don’t want to be dealing with dripping from ice cubes, tools like icing balls and facial ice cube moulds can help keep your fingers from feeling frosty! If you’re in a pinch and wanting to use what you have at home aside from a simple ice cube, using cold spoons or cucumber slices around the eye area can help to reduce puffiness and inflammation.
It is also important to note not to keep ice directly in once place on your skin as this can cause damage, and avoid using acid products directly afterwards as this can lead to irritation… so give your skin some time to chill out.
Home cryotherapy is definitely an easy addition to your skincare routine that is worth trying for an abundance of reasons. Glowing skin is always in, and facial icing is a great place to start.