Is skin icing the coolest way to refresh your beauty routine?

It’s the skincare trend that’s had millions of views on TikTok. While there’s certainly plenty of buzz around it, is skin icing actually worth doing?

The most unlikely of skincare must-haves is something many of us have in our fridge right now – ice.

Skin icing – a beauty trend that’s created a stir on TikTok – can be as basic as rubbing ice cubes over your skin; or, it can involve using special tools such as ice rollers or ice globes.

Essentially, whichever method you choose, this treatment involves applying ice directly to the skin as a form of cryotherapy.

How skin icing works

Much like you’d reach for an ice pack to treat an injury, skin icing adopts a similar principle.

“Skin icing (works by) constricting blood vessels to reduce blood flow to the skin,” dermatologist and Skin Partners director Dr Leona Yip says.

“This effect helps to reduce skin redness, inflammation, as well as puffiness.”

Fans of the treatment say it can also shrink pore size and exfoliate the skin, but Dr Yip says these claims are not backed by science.

Are there risks with skin icing?

Applying ice directly to the skin can cause an ice burn if left on the skin for too long.

“This may cause skin pain, prolonged redness, blistering and darker or lighter skin discolouration,” Dr Yip says.

Dermal clinician and St.Skin co-founder Leelah Linke says you also need to be mindful of the cleanliness of the ice you’re using as you’re applying it directly to the face.

“(Make) sure whatever you actually form your ice in has been cleaned thoroughly,” Leelah says.

In addition, skin icing may not be compatible with all skin types.

Dr Yip says people with sensitive skin that react to extreme changes in temperature, including the cold, should avoid this treatment as it could trigger a reaction such as rosacea; and people with darker skin tones should be cautious as prolonged use can lead to hyperpigmentation.

How to do skin icing

Keen to see what all the fuss is about?

Skin icing can be done as needed to target inflammation or puffiness, or daily for around five to 10 minutes as part of your skincare routine.

Leelah suggests using filtered or boiled water to ensure the ice is clean.

Avoid applying ice directly to the skin; instead, wrap it in a cloth or even cling film to get the cooling effect without risking prolonged exposure to ice.

Work your way around the face, being careful not to linger in one spot too long due to the risk of ice burn.

And don’t forget to look after your skin barrier.

“Cold temperatures can be harsh on the skin barrier and may weaken it, leading to increased loss of skin hydration and a higher risk of skin irritation,” Dr Yip says.

To protect the skin barrier, cleanse the skin, then moisturise before applying ice to the face.

More skincare trends to try for yourself:

• Why skin fasting may be the reset your beauty routine needs
• Is skin streaming the key to getting more with less in skincare?
• Why beautiful, plump skin is so hot this winter (and how to achieve it)

Written by Tania Gomez.