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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.

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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.

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Are there any risks involved?

If you have super-reactive and sensitive skin, you must approach skin icing cautiously. “When conducting skin icing either at home or during a facial treatment, gentle is the key,” says Catie Wiggy, clean beauty aesthetician and founder of Creative Beauty Collective. “It’s important to know applying ice directly on the skin can cause damage, so always wrap it in a soft cloth or use ice globes for a safer approach.”

When exposed to ice, sensitive skin types are more prone to dryness and irritation, further exacerbating their reactivity to various stimuli. Additionally, ice can temporarily impair blood flow, although this effect is typically short-lived.

It’s also important to note that skin that has been iced may become more sensitive to the sun. Temperature fluctuations, such as transitioning from heat outdoors to ice application indoors, can potentially damage capillaries, cause headaches and further irritate the skin.

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How to do it properly

For the best results, experts recommend starting with clean, hydrated skin before using a cold roller or ice cube and always following up with a hydrating or plumping serum or moisturiser – but avoid acids, as they can irritate newly cooled skin.

Additionally, Wiggy suggests that, before icing, it’s key to ensure your skin is clean and make-up free. “Applying ice on a clean canvas helps to maximise its benefits and avoid clogged pores. Also, limit each session to a maximum of five minutes to prevent potential negative effects on the skin’s protective barrier,” she says.

She also points out it’s important to remember that skin icing is a treatment and not a substitute for a proper skincare routine. “It’s an additional technique to enhance circulation and reduce visible irritation, so combine it with a consistent regimen for optimal results.”

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