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Healthy Home Economist / Archives / Skin Health / Skin Icing: Natural Anti-Aging Skin Technique (heals acne too!)

Skin Icing: Natural Anti-Aging Skin Technique (heals acne too!)

by Carla Hernandez RDN, NTP / Affiliate Links ✔

Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Skin Icing to the Rescue!
  • Benefits
  • How Icing the Skin Really Works
  • Very Simple Skin Icing Procedure+−
    • What you  will need
    • How to Apply the Ice to the Skin
  • Precautions

Skin icing has numerous benefits including a rapid reduction in breakouts along with improved firmness and an overall younger appearance.woman using skin icing for acne and anti-aging

Growing up as a runner, I remember very clearly when I would train in the winter through rain, hail, and even storms. Although this was painful, not to mention super uncomfortable, the one thing I would always look forward to was how my skin looked upon completion. I know this sounds crazy, but when you grow up having acne (even into your adult life), the moments that your skin looks great you truly cherish.

Why was it that this specific situation caused me to love the aftermath? It just so happens that running in the bitterly cold temperatures worked very well to decongest and help clear up my skin, as that was the only part of my body that was fully exposed to the chilly breeze.

The great news I’ve discovered since then is that skin icing can be used anytime to hugely benefit your skin clarity and tone and even reduce the signs of aging!

Skin Icing to the Rescue!

Although I’m no longer enthusiastic about running in the rain and hail, I have been able to replicate this sensational look through another method I do daily. I first heard of the concept of skin icing through a good friend and esthetician in San Francisco who owns an acne clinic.

She told me to start icing my skin day and night to help with the inflammation with my breakouts. At first, I wasn’t sure how this would help, but I soon became a believer and advocate when I saw the amazing results.

Benefits

The technique known as ‘skin icing’ is routinely performed by Korean women and several other cultures. It simply and very literally involves applying ice to one’s skin. The practice helps with the following skin challenges:

  • Reduce puffiness
  • Prevent wrinkles
  • Tighten the skin
  • Reduce the appearance and size of pores
  • Produce smoother skin
  • Lessens the appearance of scarring
  • Treat and prevent

Icing your skin is helpful with any inflammation on the skin surface, helping to reduce the swelling and redness that follows especially with acne, as icing in itself is anti-bacterial. It also reduces healing time as well as prevents future breakouts.

How Icing the Skin Really Works

Cold temperatures improve circulation in the skin, so when I ran in the cold this would temporarily constrict blood vessels so that there would be less blood flow to the skin (reducing any inflammation present). As a result, my body sent more blood to the area than normal, which is why after cold runs my pores would contract to allow for that taut and glowing complexion.

A popular yet expensive form of ‘cold therapy’ (although not sure of the safety concerns with this) is known as liquid nitrogen freezes. This is injected directly to affect specific nerves in the forehead and between the brows. According to Facial specialist, Rani Mirza,

“This [cold therapy] puts the nerves into temporary hibernation, so muscles relax and wrinkles disappear. The cold causes the blood vessels to contract and then dilate, which improves the oxygen and nutrient supply to the skin’s surface, making it appear more radiant”

Luckily skin icing achieves a similar effect more safely and for zero cost if incorporated on a daily or even regular basis.

Very Simple Skin Icing Procedure

 Although it may sound scary, the actual application is quite simple, easy, and thankfully extremely affordable.

What you  will need

  • 1-2 ice cubes -OR- a silicone popsicle holder (like this)
  • One washcloth
  • One handkerchief (optional)

How to Apply the Ice to the Skin

  1. Start off with clean skin. You can ice in the morning or at night. If you’re icing at night, I recommend washing your skin via oil cleansing, and not using a harsh cleanser. If icing in the morning, there is no need to wash your face (unless you were sweating or sleeping on dirty pillowcases).  In fact, this can contribute to the overproduction of oil. Instead, simply splash your face with cold water and pat dry with a washcloth. Then begin icing.
  2. Hold the ice cube and rub directly on your face in small circular motions all over for several minutes (at least 2-3 minutes), holding and concentrating on areas that are in need the most (pimples, cysts…), although skip the delicate eye area.
    Note: A handkerchief can also be used to wrap the ice cube/s with if needed. This can be convenient if you don’t want to freeze your fingers by holding the ice. This is why I recommend using a silicone popsicle holder. They work fabulously! I did get this idea from my friend who is an esthetician, so I can’t take credit for this brilliance. A silicone popsicle holder allows you to still have direct contact of the ice to your skin while holding and pushing up the shaft as the ice melts protecting your delicate fingers. If you are concerned about using silicone molds, the linked article explains when it is safe and when it is not.
  3. At the same time, you are icing your face, you want to hold your washcloth underneath your chin and the areas that you are icing as it can get messy with the ice melting and water falling. Alternatively, you can also ‘ice’ over the sink.
  4. Your skin should feel cool, damp, and a bit numb. After, pat dry with a soft towel.
  5. You can now apply your favorite toner, rose water spray, and/ or jojoba, olive, or argan oil to use on the skin. Be sure to watch out for coconut oil as a facial moisturizer, as it can exacerbate breakouts or some people which negates the benefits of skin icing.

I used to ice twice a day when my skin was breaking out badly, but once I got it under control I switched to only icing in the mornings. Because your skin detoxes at night, morning is a perfect time to ice to get rid of any puffiness that has occurred.

As a bonus, you’ll probably notice that icing the skin in the morning also makes your makeup go on much nicer having a taut foundation to work from.

Precautions

Icing for some skin types, such as those with rosacea or broken capillaries is probably not ideal.

Icing can cause irritation for some, especially with overly sensitive skin. You also want to avoid icing any one area for more than 15 minutes as this can possibly freeze and damage capillaries.

Closely observe how your skin responds to any new treatment including skin icing and stop whenever you feel the need. For most people, however, icing is very safe so you can approach it with confidence and easily incorporate it into your daily skincare routine to reap the benefits.

woman applying ice to jawline of the face

More Information

Clear Skin Starts with a Healthy Gut
Heliotherapy: Benefits Far and Beyond Vitamin D
Eczema Treatment: Avoiding the Drug-Based Domino Effect
Histamine Intolerance, Fermented Foods, and Acne

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Category: Skin Health
Carla Hernandez RDN, NTP

Carla Hernandez is a Registered Dietician Nutritionist (RDN) and Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP) and the founder of Wise Roots Nutrition. She uses nutrition, diet and lifestyle interventions to support physiological mechanisms within the body. She specializes in Digestive Issues, Weight Loss and Skin Conditions.

wiserootsnutrition.com/

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Reader Interactions

Comments (16)

  1. Ester

    Dec 16, 2020 at 1:41 am

    I have rosacea and recently started icing with a frozen avocado seed instead of an ice cube.
    I roll the frozen avocado seed over my entire face for several minutes once or twice a day.
    This works very well for me. I notice my pores are getting smaller and my skin is overall more smooth.

    Reply
  2. Liliana Verd Rodriguez

    Jun 16, 2020 at 11:27 pm

    Does this help with dark spots?

    Reply
    • Sarah Pope MGA

      Jun 17, 2020 at 9:40 am

      No it does not. Changing your diet helps a lot though. If your diet is high in polyunsaturated oils (processed foods, lots of restaurant eating) then that is very bad for skin. Eating only healthy fats over a period of a few months can help clear dark spots.

  3. Isadora

    Mar 3, 2019 at 8:29 am

    Why would you want to avoid the under eye area? I read in other places that it helps with puffiness and eye bags.

    Reply
    • Sarah Pope MGA

      Mar 3, 2019 at 9:06 am

      The undereye area is very delicate, thin skin and you could easily break some blood vessels there making the problem worse.

  4. Anna Cesnjevar

    Jul 23, 2017 at 12:47 am

    As you aged, your skin is also changing. Fine lines are starting to show up, that’s why you really have to take extra care for your skin. You don’t have to go to expensive surgical treatments just to have a younger looking skin. All you have to do is follow these tips. Proper cleansing and moisturizing the skin will be a great help in having a healthy skin.

    Reply
  5. Vivian

    Nov 30, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    Well I tried it and I have to say it was remarkably exhilerating even tho I HATE cold! My skin really does look good after that. My new fountain of youth. Thanks.

    Reply
  6. Vivian

    Nov 30, 2015 at 11:46 am

    I will try this, but I wanted to mention that coconut oil is the only thing that doesn’t cause my skin to break out!

    Reply
  7. Karen

    Oct 22, 2015 at 12:32 am

    Is it safe to do if you have rosacea? I tried it once and my face became inflamed and irritated for a couple of days!

    Reply
    • Sarah TheHealthyHomeEconomist

      Oct 22, 2015 at 5:09 am

      No, do not ice the skin if you have rosacea. This is mentioned in the article.

  8. Josie

    Oct 14, 2015 at 1:42 pm

    I tried this last night and today my face is red all over. I did it for less than 15 minutes and used circular motions as described. I must have sensitive skin I guess.

    Reply
    • Sarah TheHealthyHomeEconomist

      Oct 14, 2015 at 2:43 pm

      I can only do it for 2-3 minutes max and get great results. Try it for a very short period of time. Longer is not necessarily better with this I think.

  9. Dorsey

    Oct 13, 2015 at 10:11 am

    Gave this a shot this morning. It does all you said plus when I did it on my nose, I went into a real sneezing fit as it help clear out sinuses as well. Real cool!….. excuse the pun. 🙂 Thanks for such a great tip.

    Reply
    • Sarah TheHealthyHomeEconomist

      Oct 13, 2015 at 5:10 pm

      Wow .. so glad you fell in love your very first try!

  10. Susan

    Oct 12, 2015 at 11:23 pm

    It certainly worked for Joan Crawford!

    Reply
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