Giving yourself an ice-water facial is just about as simple as it sounds: Fill a bowl with water and ice, then submerge your full face in it for 20 to 30 seconds. That's it. Though the method is currently trending, it certainly isn't new to 2022—its roots can be traced back to ancient civilizations.
All you have to is take a bowl filled with icy water and dip your face in it for a good 30 seconds and with a soft cloth, mildly dab your face. Do it twice or maximum thrice, once in the morning and evening.
Washing your face with cold water increases blood flow
According to research , this stems from cold exposure sending blood flow to the exposed area. In turn, increased blood flow provides the skin with better protection from free radicals, such as pollution, and may give your skin a healthier glow.
You shouldn't be dipping your face into cold water for too long or it can lead to skin irritation. If you feel itching or redness after the first use, make sure you discontinue it right away. If your skin condition worsens after following this beauty hack, consult your dermatologist immediately and get it treated.
"After you have calmed and cooled the skin with your ice roller or cool globe, you'll want to top it off with any serum or moisturizer that is hydrating, healing, or plumping to give the skin a nice glow," Rackley says.
Cold water is perfect for preventing the skin from sagging and aids with skin tightening benefits. Taking cold showers is believed to reduce stress and elevate your mood. It also cleanses the skin by getting rid of the dirt, oil and sweat.
Drawbacks of cold water for skin
In time, using cold water exclusively may result in an increase in breakouts and pimples, especially if you already have acne-prone skin. Dr. Colbert explains that for those with sensitive skin or certain skin conditions like rosacea, icy cold water could also cause a mild flare-up.
Even a simple splash of cold water after cleansing can give you brighter skin”, says Kay Greveson, Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner at Regents Park Aesthetics. “In addition to this, to lock in our core temperature our skin's pores shrink, which can help improve the overall texture and appearance of the skin”, says Dr.
Ice water is known to tighten your pores. It reduces the appearance of open pores giving your skin a tight and sculpted look. If you want to prevent signs of early aging like fine lines and wrinkles, then ice-cold water is a great hack to try.
Benefits of Washing Your Face With Cold Water
Cool water can help with acne-related irritation, Jaliman says. Cold water can help reduce skin puffiness—especially the puffy eyes many people experience in the morning upon waking, Jaliman says.
Can Cold Water Close Your Pores? Just as warm water cannot increase the size of your pores, cold water won't decrease their size.
* Besides taking care of the night-time oiliness that accumulates on the skin, cold water can also reduce the morning-time puffiness. Puffiness happens when the skin cells regenerate at night and the pores expand.
In the event that you wear a significant amount of makeup, consider applying ice to your face each morning before putting on your makeup. If you suffer from acne or similar skin blemishes, ice your face every other night before you go to bed.
1. The water's too hot or too cold. To get the right temperature for clear skin, you have to play Goldilocks. "Cold water tightens the skin's pores, which doesn't allow the natural secretion of sebum and acne-causing bacteria," says Neil Sadick, MD, of Sadick Dermatology.
Cold showers give your skin and hair a healthy glow
Wellness expert Dr. Jacqueline Schaffer, MD, says that cold water tightens and constricts the blood flow which gives your skin a healthier glow. According to an article published on the website NaturallyCurly.com, cold water closes and strengthens your hair cuticles.
While a steaming hot shower sounds tempting after a long day, it may not be as great for your skin. Extra hot water can strip away the natural oils and dry you out. “When washing your face, cold or lukewarm temperature is always better.
Poor skin blood flow results in dry, dull, and aged complexion. Given that cold water improves blood flow, you're essentially helping your skin prevent premature skin aging every time you shower using cold water.
Beneficial for your hair
Finishing a shower with a cold blast can help lock moisture in your hair, while also tightening your hair follicles, meaning reduced hair loss. Additionally, cold water helps to close hair cuticles, which enables the hair to reflect light resulting in a high shine.
Cleanse your face thoroughly before treating it with ice, as applying the ice on freshly cleaned skin is far more effective. Wrap the ice cube in a soft cloth before applying it to your skin. Wait until it starts to melt slightly before gently massaging your skin with the cube in a circular motion.
Don't let the ice rest on any portion of your skin for too long, as it could cause that aforementioned irritation and redness — and even frostbite. And do remember to moisturize after icing your face so that your skin doesn't dry out.
You don't need to wash your face after applying ice cubes on face. Just let your face dry naturally. After some times you can directly apply toner.