It all starts with a bowl of ice water, a few seconds of courage, and the promise of firmer, less puffy skin with a glow so radiant it could rival your favorite serum. The trend of putting ice on your face, also known as ice dunking, has gone viral on TikTok and Instagram, with celebrities like Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber joining the ritual. But is it really good to put ice on your face daily? Or is this just another fleeting fad with more risks than benefits?
We analyze the science behind this practice, explore whether it has real benefits for the skin, and also whether storing your cosmetic products in the fridge actually helps… or if it's just another ephemeral trend.
What is "Ice Dunking"?
The trend of submerging your face in icy water involves dipping your face into a bowl of very cold water, often with ice cubes added, for 10 to 30 seconds. Proponents claim it reduces facial inflammation and preps the skin for makeup.
It's not surprising that it has become popular. Cold exposure has always had its place in the wellness world, from athletes' ice baths to cryotherapy in luxury spas. But is putting ice water on your face really beneficial?
From a Skin Perspective: Cold Doesn't Always Heal
For the skin, this practice requires a nuanced approach and a lot of caution. While putting ice on your face can cause vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels), which temporarily reduces inflammation, these effects are short-lived. The skin may feel firmer and look brighter for a while, but that doesn't mean it's repairing damage or preventing aging.
Temporary Benefits
- Reduced puffiness: Especially around the eyes, cold can reduce inflammation.
- Gentle firming effect: Skin may appear firmer due to decreased blood flow.
- Brighter complexion: Brief cold exposure can stimulate circulation and provide a temporary glow.
But all these benefits associated with using ice on your face are fleeting. There is no scientific evidence to support that regularly submerging your face in ice water reduces wrinkles, improves elasticity, or provides lasting benefits.
Hidden Dangers: Risks of "Ice Dunking"
That much-desired "glow" may be momentary, but the damage can linger longer. Frequently submerging your face in ice water can irritate or weaken the skin barrier, especially if the skin is already sensitized.
What Can Go Wrong?
- Damage to the skin barrier: Prolonged or direct contact with ice can cause redness, stinging, or even paradoxical inflammation.
- Frostbite: Excessive cold can literally burn the skin, leaving spots or scars.
- Worsening of skin conditions: People with rosacea, broken capillaries, couperose, sensitive skin, or those recovering from treatments like laser or chemical peels should avoid it completely.
- Cold urticaria: This is a physical allergy to cold that produces hives (welts) minutes after exposure.
If you notice redness, burning, or hives after applying ice to your face, discontinue use immediately and consult your trusted professional.
How to Safely Treat Irritation
If you've overdone it with cold exposure, it's best to opt for a minimal, restorative routine. The goal is to help the skin recover and strengthen its protective barrier.
Think of irritated skin as a wound: it doesn't need stimulation, but rather care and protection. A routine focused on hydrating, nourishing, and soothing is a good starting point.
We recommend:
- Purifying Cleansing Beauty Cream: A delicate cleanser that respects the skin barrier.
- B12 Calm Serum: A light serum that hydrates and soothes even the most reactive skin.
- Nutritive Repair Emulsion: A calming and nourishing cream, perfect for restoring skin balance.
This "less is more" approach helps activate the skin's natural regeneration capacity.
Can Ice Be Applied to the Face Safely?
If you're still tempted to try it, take these basic precautions:
- Never apply ice directly: Wrap it in gauze or a thin cloth to prevent burns.
- Keep it brief: A few seconds are enough. Don't prolong the immersion.
- Know your skin: Avoid this practice if you have inflammation, wounds, or are undergoing dermatological treatment.
- Do it occasionally: Use it as an occasional refreshing ritual, not as part of your daily routine.
"Ice Dunking" vs. Cryotherapy: They Are Not the Same
We should not confuse viral trends with clinical treatments.
Cryotherapy:
- Uses controlled cold, such as liquid nitrogen at -196 °C, in medical contexts.
- Used to treat lesions like warts or actinic keratosis.
- Cryolipolysis is another professional treatment that removes localized fat using extreme cold.
Submerging your face in ice water is not a dermatological treatment. It's a refreshing sensation, but it lacks clinical backing or proven results. They are different things.
So, Does It Make Sense to Store Cosmetics in the Fridge?
Alongside the craze for putting ice on your face, another parallel trend has emerged: storing cosmetics in the refrigerator. But does it really improve anything?
What the Science Says
Cosmetic products are formulated to be stored at room temperature, although some ingredients can benefit from low temperatures, such as:
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
- Vitamin A (retinoids)
- Vitamin B (niacinamide, panthenol)
- Vitamin E (tocopherol)
In these cases, a cold environment could slightly extend their shelf life. However, responsible brands already test their formulas in refrigeration conditions to simulate winter transport or storage in unheated warehouses.
When the Fridge Harms
Despite its "cool" aesthetic, cold can alter formulas:
- Those with high alcohol content can form visible particles.
- Water-in-oil emulsions can destabilize, separating phases.
- Essential oils and natural gums can become cloudy or lose solubility.
- Balms and oils can harden, making them difficult to apply.
These alterations, known as rheological changes, affect the product's texture, efficacy, and appearance.
And then there's human error: if you take your product out of the fridge and leave it out for more than five minutes, that change in temperature can further stress its formula.
Does Cold on the Skin Feel Good? Yes. Is it Good for You? Not Always.
There's no denying it: a cool mist or a fresh cream feels wonderful, especially in summer. But just because something feels good doesn't always mean it's good for your skin. Repeated exposure to cold can damage capillaries and alter barrier function over time.
So, while a cold formula might give you the sensation of more awake, energized, and de-puffed skin, that accumulated thermal stress might not be worth it, especially when there are gentler and more effective options.
Cool Down... Carefully
The appeal of applying ice to the face or storing products in the fridge lies in its immediacy, simplicity, and the illusion of including something special in our self-care routine. It feels good and seems like an "almost" professional ritual within anyone's reach.
But let's be honest: it's a sensory experience, not a dermatological solution. The benefits of putting ice water on your face are superficial and brief. And, for sensitive skin or skin with an altered barrier, they can even be harmful.
Do you want truly radiant skin? Opt for formulas that nourish, soothe, and strengthen your skin from within. And if on a hot day you can't resist dipping your face in a bowl of ice, go ahead... but don't make it a habit.