If you are struggling to figure out how to have the skin of your dreams, it may be time to resort back to basics.
The beauty market is saturated with an overwhelming choice of skincare products and treatments.
There are oils and serums, exfoliators and creams, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, masks and so much more.
But what if we told you there was a simple solution to your skin issues and it’s already in your fridge right now.
Skin icing, ice facials or ice therapy is the practice of using ice cubes to beautify the skin.
It’s inexpensive, non-chemically based and easy to do at home.
The ice cubes are applied to the skin and massaging in circular motions for a couple of minutes to promote radiant, healthy skin.
According to Healthline, the best areas to perform skin icing on your face include along your jawline and chin, across your lips, on the bridge of your nose, under your eyes, on the apples of your cheeks and across your forehead.
Make sure you allow the ice to melt slightly in a soft cloth as using ice-cubes straight out the freezer and onto the face can cause blood vessels/capillaries under the skin to break as the temperature of the ice is extremely cold.
When performed correctly, here are four different ways at-home ice therapy can reward your skin.
Banish Puffy Under-Eyes
The effects of ice on a swollen ankle are the same as its effects on a puffy face.
The mild pressure of the ice acts as a cold compress, draining excess liquid and reducing inflammation of the skin.
The ice should be swept back and forth from the inner corner of the eyes, out towards the end of the eyebrows and back.
For an added bonus, use antioxidant-rich green tea ice cubes which will significantly reduce the appearance of dark circles and under eye bags.
Carve Out Cheekbones
For a more naturally contoured look, skin icing can help carve out facial features like the jawline and cheekbones.
Similar to jade-rolling, repeatedly working the ice cubes up and down those areas will help to tone and sculpt out a sharp bone structure.
The cold temperature of the ice restricts the capillaries underneath the skin, giving the face a firm, pulled back appearance.
Use camomile ice cubes to massage the jawline and cheekbones to turn this beauty hack into a stress-relieving exercise.
To make camomile ice cubes, brew a cup of camomile tea and fill your ice trays, letting them set in the freezer until they are fully frozen.
Shrink Pores
Rubbing ice on freshly-cleansed skin serves as a foolproof way to minimise and tighten pores, keeping the skin clean.
The process of skin icing across the nose area, constricts the production of excess sebum, unclogs build up and serves as a barrier from unwanted dirt and debris.
Icing this area before starting your makeup routine can also help your foundation apply more smoothly later on.
And because skin icing reduces overall oiliness, the makeup will last longer as well.
Get That Glow
For a more radiant appearance, skin icing can help stimulate blood circulation, giving your skin that au naturel glow.
The circular motions of massaging the ice around the face, down the neck and across the décolletage promotes a livelier colour back into tired, dull-looking skin
Skin icing is a great way to freshen up your complexion as soon as you wake up, so you can maintain a gorgeous glow throughout the day.
For ageing skin, it also works to give off a brighter, youthful look.
For optimal results, skin icing should be performed up to 2 times a day.