Some people report that icing your face may help with conditions like acne or swollen eyes. But no scientific evidence backs up these claims.

Applying ice to an area of the body for health purposes is known as cold therapy or cryotherapy. It’s routinely used in the treatment of injuries to help:

  • ease pain by temporarily reducing nerve activity
  • relieve swelling by reducing blood flow
  • speed up functional recovery by promoting soft tissue healing

The practice of “facial skin icing” is gaining traction on social media platforms like TikTok. Proponents of ice facials suggest that it may have several therapeutic and aesthetic benefits.

However, it’s important to note that these claims are only supported by anecdotal evidence. There’s no definitive clinical research that supports the purported benefits.

Keep reading to learn more about the possible benefits and risks of ice facials, different types of ice facials, and how to apply ice to your face.

Advocates of using facial icing suggest it may have several benefits.

Ice for facial puffiness

Cold therapy and ice facials may help reduce facial puffiness, especially around the eyes.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests that you can reduce bags under your eyes by applying a cold compress to the area with mild pressure for 15 to 20 minutes.

This may be due to a process called vasoconstriction. Applying ice or a cold compress to the skin may constrict the blood vessels, which can restrict blood flow and prevent inflammatory cells from reaching the face.

Although this may theoretically work, no research has examined the direct effects of icing for facial puffiness.

Ice for acne

Some people report that using skin icing to treat acne may help slow down inflammation and minimize skin pores to reduce excessive oil production.

Due to its anti-inflammatory nature, ice is more likely to help inflammatory acne, such as:

If using ice facials to address acne, change your ice and wrapping often to avoid spreading bacteria from one part of your face to another.

Ice should not replace your skin care routine.

Other possible benefits

Other purported benefits of facial icing may include:

Applying ice directly to your face and other parts of your body for too long may pose several risks, such as:

You may also want to avoid facial icing if you have a health condition that can affect your sense of touch, such as diabetes or Raynaud’s syndrome.

Advocates of ice facials commonly suggest two methods for applying ice to your face:

  1. Soft cloth: Roll four or five ice cubes in a soft cotton cloth.
  2. Straight on: Hold one ice cube in each hand.

Then, gently massage your face with circular motions for 1 to 2 minutes using either method.

It’s important not to apply ice directly to the skin for more than 2 minutes to prevent any complications.

The circular massage can be performed once daily on your:

  • jawline
  • chin
  • lips
  • nose
  • cheeks
  • forehead

Proponents of ice facials suggest using ice cubes made of water or a caffeinated drink such as tea or coffee.

Caffeine is a common ingredient found in topical moisturizers and other skin care products. It may help protect the skin against the sun, prevent wrinkles, and increase blood circulation, among other possible benefits.

Some advocates of natural healing suggest replacing the water in your ice cubes with other ingredients, such as aloe vera and green tea.

Aloe ice

In the natural health community, aloe vera is used for a number of skin conditions.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), aloe may speed burn healing and improve acne, but more research is needed.

Some people claim that frozen aloe maintains its healing powers and can soothe sunburn and acne. If you don’t have frozen aloe, you can try applying aloe gel to your skin before doing your regular ice facial.

Green tea ice

The catechins in green tea may have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral benefits that could help protect the skin from sun exposure and possibly with healing.

However, more research is needed to understand the role of green tea in skin health.

Before trying ice facials, discuss them with a healthcare or skin care professional. They may have concerns or suggestions about your skin condition, current health status, and medications you may be taking.

Here are some recommended tips to follow:

  1. Use a dedicated ice tray for the cubes you’ll be using for your face. Clean it after each use.
  2. Always wash your face before icing.
  3. Keep a clean washcloth or tissue handy to wipe excess liquid that might drip from your face.
  4. Use a cloth or some other barrier between the ice and your skin. This will protect your hands and face.
  5. Avoid holding the ice on your skin for too long. Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can result in ice burn.

The popularity of facial skin icing may be because it fits the profile of a health fad. For instance:

  • It’s inexpensive.
  • It’s easy to do.
  • There’s anecdotal evidence.
  • It’s widely covered on the internet.
  • It’s natural, non-chemically based.
  • It’s presented as a logical, sensible practice.

Consider speaking with a healthcare professional if you have facial puffiness, acne, or a skin burn that doesn’t get better with facial icing after 1 week.

It’s also important to speak with a doctor if you experience any complications from facial icing. Connect with a doctor if you experience numbness, burning, or frostbite after applying ice to your face.

There’s no official guidelines on how often to apply ice to your face. You can try icing your face once daily for 2 minutes.

Icing your face in the morning could help wake you up, while icing at night may help you cool down and relieve possible swelling from the day.

No, you shouldn’t apply ice for more than 20 minutes, as this may increase the risk of injury.

Facial skin icing is very popular. Although not supported by clinical research, some people report that it may help relieve conditions like acne and puffy eyes.

Many proponents of the practice suggest making ice cubes with different ingredients, like aloe or green tea, to address specific skin care needs.

If you’re considering ice facials, discuss the idea with a healthcare professional first. They can determine if icing your face is appropriate for your current health condition and any medications, especially topical, that you’ve been prescribed.