Skin icing has resurfaced as a trend among celebrities: what it is, the effect that cold has on the face, and how to do it at home safely.
In the peak of high temperatures in the northern hemisphere, images began repeating on Instagram and TikTok: containers filled with very cold water and faces dunking themselves for only a few seconds. Behind those scenes is skin icing, one of the beauty tricks that has re-established itself among celebrities like Rosalía, Kylie Jenner, Irina Shayk, and Georgina Rodríguez.
Although social media gave it a newer name and a more sophisticated aesthetic, the idea is quite simple. Using cold on the face is a resource that has been used for a long time to generate a refreshing sensation and to temporarily reduce the appearance of puffiness or redness.
What Skin Icing Is and Why It Has Returned to Trend
Skin icing consists of exposing the face to cold for very short periods. It can be done using very cold water or by using containers designed specifically to maintain a low temperature without the ice touching the skin directly.
There lies part of its appeal: it is a short, visual ritual that’s easy to incorporate. In summer, the sensation takes on another meaning. After heat, a poor night, or waking up with a somewhat puffy face, contact with cold water can feel especially refreshing.
The effect, however, is mostly temporary. It does not modify the skin’s structure nor replace any dermatological treatment.
What Effect Does Cold Have on the Face
Cold triggers transient vasoconstriction, that is, a temporary narrowing of the superficial blood vessels. That’s why, after applying it, the skin may look less red and some swollen areas — such as the eye contour — can feel more decongested.
It can also leave an immediate impression of the skin looking fresher and smoother after the ritual. Hence the famous “good face” effect that made skin icing a recurring pre-makeup step.
But there’s one detail that the most extreme social media images often overlook: more cold does not mean better results.
Skin Icing at Home: How to Do It Without Placing Ice Directly on the Skin
You don’t need to buy a specific accessory to try the trend. There are silicone bowls designed to freeze their base and gradually cool the water, but the same principle can be adapted with items you already have at home.
You can pour very cold water into a bowl and add ice to lower its temperature, avoiding the ice cubes resting directly on the face. Then, perform brief immersions of about 5 to 10 seconds, lifting your face between each one.
Another option is to chill the water in the refrigerator beforehand.
When you’re done, pat the skin dry with a clean towel, gently and without rubbing, and proceed with your usual routine.
There’s no need to extend the procedure or seek an extreme cold sensation. If it’s uncomfortable, stings, or causes pain, it’s time to stop.
Why It’s Not Advisable to Apply an Ice Cube Directly to the Face
Here lies an important difference between skin icing and some viral videos. Placing ice directly on the skin for too long can be too harsh.
Direct exposure to ice can cause irritation, increase the reactivity of sensitive skin, and even cause small frost injuries. That’s why it’s preferable to cool the water and work with short durations rather than sliding a frozen cube across the face.
Perhaps this is the most important rule of this trend: seek freshness, not freezing the skin.
A Simple Trick for Hot Days
You can incorporate skin icing occasionally when you’re seeking a refreshing sensation on the face, especially on very hot days or those mornings when you wake up with a slightly puffy face.
Its comeback also demonstrates how many beauty trends that take over social media aren’t necessarily new. Sometimes the algorithm simply resurrects a known beauty gesture, gives it a name, and makes it the star again.
In this case, the secret is less about following celebrities’ ritual to the letter and more about understanding how to use cold without overdoing it.
