Rubbing Ice Cube On Face: Is It Good?
Rubbing ice on your face after a hectic day is exceptionally refreshing. If everyday stress is taking a toll on your face and skin, ice can help. It boosts blood circulation to your face and makes it radiant. If you haven’t heard about the ‘Ice Facial’ yet, let me tell you that it is a prevalent Korean beauty trend. This has inspired beauty conscious people across the world to rub ice all over their face to keep it glowing and make it appear smoother. I know I’ve got you interested now! This cool trend is worth a try as it offers multiple benefits. How? Read on.
Benefits Of Rubbing Ice Cube On Face
Dr. Alberto de la Fuente Garcia, a board-certified dermatologist, says, “Ice can be applied to your face if you are looking to reduce inflammation, redness, and swelling. Ice can also help soothe irritated skin caused by conditions like acne or eczema. When applying ice to your face, it is important to wrap the ice in a clean cloth or paper towel before placing it on the affected area.” A fresh-out-of-the freezer ice cube can be the all-year-round savior for your skin. Here’s how:
1. Key To Glowing Skin
Everyone wants radiant and glowing skin, and an ice massage on the face can give you just that. It improves blood circulation to your skin and makes it bright (1). Applying ice to your face constricts the blood vessels, which initially lowers the blood flow to your skin. To balance that, your body starts circulating more blood to your face, which makes it lively and radiant.
2. Enhances Product Absorption
This is an age-old trick that ensures the skin absorbs all the products you apply to it. If you have applied night cream or any serum on your skin, rub an ice cube over it. This constricts the capillaries on your face and creates a pulling effect on your skin which, in turn, helps in better absorption of the products.
3. Eliminates Dark Circles
Applying ice to your face regularly can help you deal with stubborn dark circles. What you need to do is boil some rose water and mix cucumber juice in it. Freeze this mixture and then apply the ice cube to your eye area. But, don’t expect results overnight. As it works slowly, you will need to repeat this procedure for a few days to see results.
4. Calms And Soothes Acne On Your Face
If you are already frustrated with the pestering acne on your face, let ice cubes work their magic on it. When you use an ice cube on your face, it helps minimize oil production on your skin. It also works well in curing the bumps and swelling caused by acne (2).
5. For Those Under Eye Bags
Tired looking eyes are such a big turn off! The excessive fluid accumulation under the eyes can be treated with an ice cube. Just move it in a circular motion from the inner corner of your eyes towards the eyebrows. This helps in reducing the swelling.
6. Constricts The Skin Pores
Your face has pores that release natural oils and perspiration, thus aiding in keeping it clean. However, if dirt gets accumulated in the pores, it causes pimples and acne. Rubbing an ice cube on your face after washing it helps shrink the pores. This keeps out the dirt from the pores and your face clean.
7. Makes Your Foundation Look Flawless
This is one beauty hack that never fails. Rub an ice cube all over your face before applying foundation. This makes your makeup look flawless and long-lasting.
8. Reduces The Appearance Of Wrinkles
While you cannot reverse your age, you can control the signs of aging. Applying ice cubes on your face helps in controlling wrinkles and signs of aging. It not only helps in reducing the existing ones but also prevents the formation of new lines (3).
9. Softens Your Lips
Have chapped lips? Apply ice cubes on them! This helps in reducing the inflammation. Also, don’t forget to drink plenty of water to keep your skin and lips hydrated.
10. Is An Easy Remedy For Heat Rashes
Those who have suffered from heat rashes know the pain. Ice cubes are a natural remedy to cure such rashes. Wrap them up in a cotton cloth and rub over the affected area. This relieves the inflammation and heals the heat rashes.
11. Relieves Sunburn
This is also a magic cure for your sunburns. After applying ice cubes on the sunburnt area, you can see a significant reduction in inflammation and redness. However, sunburns fade with time and with regular application.
12. Gives You An Oil-Free Look
While having oily skin is a bane in itself, too much oiliness can be especially bothersome. Oily skin is often prone to outbreaks. Applying ice cubes on your face can help in reducing excess oil production. This is because rubbing ice packs shrinks the oil-producing pores, thus reducing excessive oiliness.
13. Reduces Tweezing Inflammation
Tweezing your eyebrows is something you can’t go without. However, you cannot deny the pain caused by the process. You don’t need to suffer through that pain anymore. Rub an ice cube on the area to numb the pain and reduce inflammation.
14. Exfoliates Your Skin
When it comes to exfoliation, you can ditch all the commercially available exfoliators for an all-natural and pure method. Rub your face with milk ice cubes. Milk contains lactic acid that helps in clearing all the dead skin cells while the ice cube improves your radiance and natural glow.
15. Is Your Natural Makeup
Last minute rush? Don’t have enough time to apply your makeup? Spare just 2 minutes and rub an ice cube all over your face. Ice therapy on your face rejuvenates your skin, exfoliates it, and imparts a beautiful glow to it. Now, let’s amp up this ice game with a few more hacks. No doubt, applying plain ice cubes on your face will help, but mixing it with herbs and blends can be even more helpful. Here are a few refreshing ice cube hacks for you.
Get Full Benefits Of Ice Cubes With These Natural Remedies
1. Green Tea Ice Cubes For Tired And Puffy Eyes
2-3 green tea bags Water Ice tray
Green tea contains antioxidants, and the ice helps reduce swelling and appearance of dark circles.
2. Aloe Vera Ice Cubes For Soothing Your Skin After Sun Exposure
Aloe vera extract (enough to fill your ice tray) Aloe vera calms your skin and reduces inflammation (4). The ice has a soothing impact on your skin that’s scorched due to sun exposure. You will instantly feel relaxed.
3. Cooling Cucumber Ice Cubes
1 cucumber (or more, depending on your ice tray capacity) Juice of 1 lemon
The combination of cucumber, lemon, and ice is incredibly soothing for tired skin. Cucumber has a soothing effect on your skin while lemon brightens it up.
4. Acne Busting Cinnamon Ice Cubes
Water (as per your need) 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder (or 4-5 drops cinnamon essential oil) 3-4 drops rosehip oil
Cinnamon has antibacterial properties while rosehip contains vitamin C. Ice shrinks your pores, thus reducing excessive oiliness.
5. Rose Petal Antibacterial Ice Cubes
1 cup dried rose petals 4-5 drops rosehip oil Water
Rosehip oil has an antibacterial and anti-aging effect on your skin. Rose petals also have antibacterial properties and help in calming your skin. Now you know the tricks to make ice cubes work for your skin. However, there are several things you need to keep in mind before you start using ice cubes on your face.
Ice Therapy For Face: Tips To Consider
Nothing done in excess is good. Avoid rubbing ice on your skin multiple times a day. Also, never apply ice cubes directly on your face. Always wrap them in a cotton cloth and then use. Before you start the ice treatment, ensure that your face is clean and without any makeup. Spend not more than a minute on a particular area while rubbing the ice cube on your face. Be careful while applying ice cubes around the eyes, especially if they contain any other ingredients. Ensure that they don’t enter the eyes. Always massage and rub in small circular motions. Remember, the ice therapy session should not last longer than 10-15 minutes. For best results, follow this therapy either in the morning or the evening.
How long should you ice your face? Dr. Alberto de la Fuente Garcia says, “Ice should be applied for no more than 10 minutes at a time, several times a day, as needed. Also, don’t just focus on one area – move the ice around on your skin to get the full effect. It is also important to be mindful of your skin’s sensitivity and not apply the ice for too long or in one spot, as this can cause damage and irritation. With that said, if you feel any burning or stinging sensations, it’s time to remove the ice.” What is the right way of applying ice to your face? “Instead of using ice directly on your skin, you can also try using cool compresses or chilled cucumber slices. These will provide the same benefits (reducing inflammation and irritation) while being much gentler on your skin,” says Dr. Garcia. Is ice good for armpits? Ice cubes can help to keep your skin odor-free and hydrated. It can even be used on your underarms to reduce excessive sweating and body odor. Can I use ice on my face every day? Yes, you can rub ice on your face every day to get rid of puffiness.
