Ever since I was a teenager — and acne became the clingy best friend I never asked for — I've found myself super self-conscious about my skin. I've tried almost every treatment marketed to me by dermatologists and cosmetologists: Glycolic-acid peels that make your skin feel like it's on fire?
Yes, I've done many of those. I did those at least once a month. It's exactly as cringeworthy as it sounds. You fill a big bowl up with cold water and ice cubes — some people will infuse the water with cucumbers or other ingredients — and spend time dunking your face in as many times as you can.
Despite my trepidation , I decided to give this a try every day for a week. Read on to see how it went. Before kicking off my experiment, I spoke to cosmetic dermatologist Michele Green, who said the concept of an ice-water facial isn't new. Green also shared that ice-water facials can remove toxins and reduce inflammation through constriction, which can boost circulation and bring forth a radiant complexion.
If the water is too cold it can also cause skin irritation," she told Insider. She also said that if you have rosacea you should skip this beauty ritual as it can exacerbate the redness and irritation often associated with the skin condition. I don't have rosacea, but I went into the week prepared to potentially see some slight irritation on my skin. Before I go to bed, I spend around 20 minutes on my skin. Generally, I take my makeup off, wash my face , and use a few different creams and serums.
But this week, I decided to replace my nighttime products with the ice-water facial. I filled the bowl with ice-cold water and all of the ice cubes from my tray. Then I put a timer on my phone for 15 minutes and dunked my face in the water for about 10 to 15 seconds per minute. To make sure I was really doing a proper ice-water facial, I refilled the bowl every five minutes with fresh ice cubes.
