Everyone’s Rubbing Ice Cubes on Their Face. Is It Actually Doing Anything?

Of all the viral beauty techniques that TikTok has produced recently, “skin icing,” as it’s commonly referred to, may be the most straightforward, at least.

In its most basic form, it’s what it sounds like: gently rubbing ice or an ice rolling tool over your face in a circular motion as part of a daily skincare routine.

Influencers have described using it as a natural makeup primer, a way to decrease puffiness caused by jetlag, and an alternative spot treatment for breakouts. And their followers appear to be buying in because, well, there’s not much of a buy-in; all you need are a couple of ice cubes.

But what, exactly, can “skin icing” do? Here’s what the science says.

Tamp down breakouts

For starters, it won’t treat the underlying cause of blemishes and cystic acne—which is bacteria—but it can help relieve pain and decrease inflammation by constricting blood vessels. Try alternating between ice cubes and a warm compress on the affected area for about six cycles. This will stimulate circulation, allowing your immune system to flush out blemishes and cysts. To bolster this treatment, dissolve an aspirin into warm water before freezing. The acetylsalicylic acid in the aspirin will help to dry up the breakout.

If you struggle with redness or rosacea, don’t apply anything that’s too cold or hot to your face. Instead, press an ice cube to the roof of your mouth because it’s a receptor site that constricts blood vessels in the face when it’s cooled.

Minimize under-eye bags

For a quick and easy fix for under-eye bags, wrap ice cubes in gauze and slide the cubes from the corner of the inner eye up toward the brow in a circular motion. This will help drain any excess fluid from the area. To bolster this treatment, use ice cubes made from coffee. The caffeine’s constrictive properties will help with swelling.

Soothe sunburn

In the hours immediately following a sunburn, applying ice to your skin—your face, especially—can not only soothe the pain, but it can also help reduce inflammation.

Shrink fine lines (temporarily)

In a pinch, icing can minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is fleeting. Your best bet remains an anti-aging skincare regimen that addresses the underlying causes, collagen loss and sun damage.

How to ice your face, safely

Straightforward as this process is, there are some things to keep in mind so that you don’t cause any damage.

First, cleanse your face prior to icing. Then, if you don’t have an ice roller, wrap ice cubes in a towel or place them in a Ziploc bag. Applying them directly to the skin could damage the skin’s barrier, which can lead to skin irritation, redness, ice burns, and dryness. The cubes’ freezing temperature can also strip the skin of natural oils. 

Limit yourself to one icing session per day for no longer than 10 minutes. When putting ice on your face, focus on one area at a time—forehead, cheeks, jawline—massaging the skin in circular motions.

More powerful alternatives

For more powerful and longer-lasting effects, talk with a board-certified dermatologist about cryotherapy or a cryofacial, which are in-office treatments that use cold water to rejuvenate the skin, improve circulation, and reduce puffiness.