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Is dunking your face in ice water really beneficial? Derms weigh in
Depuff your face with just a few household items.
I’ve seen this across my social media feed — with both influencers and celebrities using it to de-puff their faces before big events. The clear plastic tub has an integrated breathing device (similar to a snorkel you’d use in the ocean) that you can place in your mouth while you dunk your face, allowing you to submerge for the full minute without coming up for air. This device is on the pricier side, but reviewers report it makes the entire process easier and more seamless.
Pour water into the bottom of this silicone bowl and place it in the freezer. Once the water is frozen, expand the bowl and pop the ice out of the mold. Fill it with water, and you’ve got your ice bath for your face. Reviewers appreciate the bowl’s collapsibility, which makes it easy to store or travel with. It also has a hook on the ledge for hanging to dry, according to the brand.
Kanwal says that in addition to ice baths, you can use cooling tools for similar benefits. These ice globes are made of thick glass and filled with liquid. Keep them in the fridge or freezer, then take them out just before you’re ready to use them. The circular globes glide easily over skin to depuff and soothe skin, according to the brand.
If dipping your entire face in water isn’t for you, consider this cold gel face mask. The mask contains gel beads that remain cold after you remove it from the fridge or freezer, according to the brand. There are cutouts for your nose, eyes and mouth and adjustable straps for a customized fit. You can also heat the mask up in the microwave if you want some soothing warmth.
I’ve been using this ice roller semi-regularly for the past few years. I keep it in my freezer and pull it out if I’ve had a rough night or just notice my face is looking a little puffy. The roller is filled with a thick, cold gel that covers a large surface area with one swipe. I also like that the head is detachable for easy cleaning.
Face ice baths are not right for everyone. “Individuals with sensitive skin, rosacea, broken capillaries, eczema, or chronic inflammatory skin conditions should avoid them or proceed with extreme caution, as extreme cold can worsen redness, trigger flares, and compromise the skin barrier,” says Reszko. “Anyone who has recently undergone cosmetic or dermatologic procedures should also avoid ice baths until the skin has fully recovered.”
If you are not comfortable with dunking your face, both experts I spoke with said there are more controlled measures you can take. “A cool compress, a chilled gel eye mask, or a clean damp washcloth kept in the fridge can reduce puffiness with less irritation risk,” says Kanwal. There are also in-office treatments you can consider. “Professionally supervised cryotherapy can provide targeted cooling,” says Reszko.
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I am a commerce editor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. I’ve also recently reported on vibration plates, wrinkle patches and AHAs. For this story, I interviewed two dermatologists about ice bath facials.
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