No matter whether you thrive in the sub-zero or resent every degree of icy chill, it turns out that shiver-inducing temperatures may actually be the answer to healthy, supple-looking skin.
And for those sick of rising from bed each morning with a face bloated beyond belief, it’s worth looking into some good old cryotherapy and ice therapy, to offer stimulating detoxification and lymphatic drainage.
Whether it be through film or personal experience, it’s common knowledge that athletes take ice baths to recover from physical stress. The reason why? Well, cryotherapy—which includes bodily cryotherapy, contrast therapy, skin cryotherapy, or otherwise—aids in initiating healthy restoration, promotes muscle recovery, metabolic rate, immune health, and more. For this reason, beauty savants have begun to take ice to their faces, literally.
Cryotherapy for the skin is based on the same principles, but usually only refers to one of two specific applications. The first is cryotherapy when applied by a dermatologist. In this case, it involves procedures using frozen gas, which are definitely not safe to use at home. A treatment will usually set you back a hefty amount of money, but the results are next level.
Thankfully, the other application is for at-home cryotherapy products. Applied to the skin through a range of methods—masks, crystal rollers, cooling orbs, facial massagers, and ice—these tools have risen in popularity when it comes to cryotherapy, thanks to their effective results and convenient at-home capabilities.
What Are The Skin Benefits Of Cryotherapy?
When it comes to cryotherapy’s use of chilled temperatures, the method actually goes back all the way to the 1930s for aiding acne. Nowadays, it works wonders to reduce acne and any kind of inflammation, as well as stimulating blood flow, skin oxygenation and lymphatic drainage.
But aside from the internal benefits, cryotherapy can actually result in a brighter complexion and actively reduces the appearance of pores. How? Well, it’s all thanks to a process called ‘vasodilation’, which involves the “the widening of blood vessels to increase blood flow in a region”, according to the Focused Ultrasound Foundation.
At first, the cold temperature causes blood vessels to constrict. When the skin warms back up, the vessels dilate, encouraging circulation and promoting skin radiance.
While the effect is temporary, a night of drinking or eating a lot of sodium can cause a dullness that cryotherapy can cure. But of course, it’s important to know your limits. If the cold temperature begins to hurt or burn the skin, immediately stop. Ideally, you shouldn’t be using a cryotherapy treatment for longer than five minutes, max.
Interested in elevating your complexion? Below, we’ve rounded up the best at-home cryotherapy products that are bound to breathe life into stressed out skin.
Main image: @walker_ash
Ice Globe Facial Massager Set by Aceology
Aceology’s Ice Globe Facial Massagers are a cult-favourite for a reason. The giant cool orbs aid in draining blood and can be used alongside serums or oils to assist with penetration into the skin by improving absorption. Place these bad boys in the freezer 10 minutes before you plan to use them and massage into the skin toward the temples for a true spa-like experience.
Globe Facial Massager Set by Aceology, $64 at Adore Beauty.
UFO 2 by Foreo
Foreo’s UFO 2 uses full-spectrum LED light and T-Sonic pulsations, plus Thermo-therapy and Cryotherapy, to leave you with seriously healthy skin. To use the device, add a mask to the metal plate, turn it on and guide it across your face while it gives you a supercharged two-minute facial and distributes the mask evenly across your complexion.
UFO 2 by Foreo, $395 at Adore Beauty.
Blush Facial Ice Roller by Kitsch
Made from surgical stainless steel, this Facial Ice Roller works to guide unwanted fluid away from the centre of the face, that is, if you use it correctly. Best kept in the fridge for an ultra-cooling effect, simply roll the device over the face to calm the skin and reduce redness. It also helps to alleviate sore muscles and tension.
Blush Facial Ice Roller by Kitsch, $25.25 (now $17.65) at Beauty Bay.
The Tension Melting Massager for Face & Neck by Mount Lai
This Tension Melting Massager from Mount Lai deeply kneads the skin and muscles and is designed for both the face and neck. Also, this fan-favourite sculpts and adds definition to your facial features. Pop it into the fridge or freezer a little while before your skincare routine to ensure your next massage will effectively reduce facial puffiness for firm and tight skin over time.
The Tension Melting Massager for Face & Neck by Mount Lai, $111 at Sephora.
Cryo Facial Set by Angela Caglia Skincare
The Gold Cryo Facial Set is just as fancy as it looks. Not only does it feel like the ultimate self-care moment, but each wand’s 18k gold plate works to offer extreme cooling therapy to the skin. Plus, the unique shape of these paddles makes drainage more evenly distributed and faster for those in a hurry.
The Rose Quartz Trio Soothing Facial Set by Mount Lai
This bestselling trio by Mount Lai includes The De-Puffing Rose Quartz Facial Roller, The Rose Quartz Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool and The Rose Quartz Facial Roller Mini, a trio to keep you and your skin set for life. Each products can fit into different areas of the face, the smaller device for under the eyes, the larger for the rest of the skin and the gua sha to target cheekbones and jawlines.
The Rose Quartz Trio Soothing Facial Set by Mount Lai, $105 at Sephora.
Cryo Facial Freeze Tools by Georgia Louise
Similar to 18k gold wands, Georgia Louise’s Facial Freeze Tools make you feel like you’ve brought the dermatologist home. This pair of wands can get to extremely cold temperatures, meaning that results are seen quicker and they’re easier to hold, thanks to their long handles. No more freezing fingers.
Cryo Facial Freeze Tools by Georgia Louise, $200.76 at Revolve.
Precious Pearl Ice Cubes by Anne Semonin
Created by French facialist Anne Semonin, her Precious Pearl Ice Cube serums are loved by many and for good reason. Celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge uses them on clients when their complexion is in need of a pick-me-up, whether it be post-flight or before an event. But if celebrity recommendations aren’t enough, they’re jam-packed with amino acid-rich pearls, apline snow flowers, hyaluronic acid and hydrolysed silk protein to get the job done inside and out.
Precious Pearl Ice Cubes by Anne Semonin, $149.54 at Net-A-Porter.
Cryo Recovery Mask by Charlotte Tilbury
Trust us, Charlotte Tilbury’s Cryo Therapy Mask is will change your skincare routine forever. The experience is extremely comfortable, thanks to the reusable device’s flexible, skin-cushioning silicone strucure. It also has cooling metal beads to target acupressure points above the brows and help relieve tension in your face, all while its advanced cooling gel targets the chin, jawline, forehead, cheekbones and nasolabial lines. Sounds fancy, right?
Cryo Recovery Mask by Charlotte Tilbury, $69 at MECCA.
Sub-Zero De-Puffing Energy Mask Facial by 111SKIN
This two-piece full face hydrogel mask by 111Skin is infused with peptides, enzymes and caffeine that feed the skin with nutrients, and encourage a more toned and refined appearance. Simple as that.
Sub-Zero De-Puffing Energy Mask Facial by 111SKIN, $40 at MECCA.
Cryo Rubber Mask With Moisturising Hyaluronic Acid by Dr.Jart+
Last but not least, the Cryo Rubber With Moisturising Hyaluronic Acid Mask includes 85 per cent naturally derived ingredients cool down skin by -6.8 degrees Celsius. It is also formulated with 1,000 ppm hyaluronic acid ampoules and kelp extract to instantly hydrate and soothe skin. It may look intimidating, but your skin will love you for it.
Cryo Rubber Mask with Moisturising Hyaluronic Acid by Dr.Jart+, $19.90 at Oz Hair & Beauty.
