A Beginner’s Guide to Ice Rolling
By Serena Shim
There has been so much hype over a bunch of beauty hacks that have been heavily taking over my TikTok feed. Lately, the trend seems to be skin icing, which has celebrities and beauty gurus using ice rollers and even applying ice cubes to their skin. Others have even stored their jade roller and gua sha tools in the freezer to decrease redness.
I’ve seen lots of TikToks featuring how ice rollers are used in skincare routines for smoother, de-puffed, and contoured faces. Placing ice and rolling it over your skin can do so much, from shrinking the look of pores to reducing inflammation. It is no wonder that cold therapy has been used for the longest time at spas and is something that so many people have been adding it to their personal skincare routine recently.
An ice roller is pretty much what it sounds like. It is a facial massage device that can be rolled all over your face right in the comfort of your own home. There are a variety sold on Amazon and Sephora for even just $20! Some of them can be filled with water or a gel on the inside. Others can be stainless steel which feels really cold. These devices are stored in the freezer and can be used on your face, neck, and chest as well for improving muscle aches and migraines.
There is no clear scientific evidence behind ice rolling on skin, but many people claim that they have experienced benefits from using an ice roller, such as:
If your skin is inflamed with some acne or is just acting up, an ice roller is the best way to help your skin recover because the massage part will stimulate blood flow. This will help reduce redness and soothe your skin. It could also reduce the appearance of any broken capillaries and shrink pores since it helps constrict blood vessels.
*It is important to note, however, that some experts caution against applying anything that is too hot or cold to the face if you have rosacea.
Ice rolling helps skin care products get absorbed better since rolling helps stimulate blood flow. So if you apply a serum or moisturizer to the skin after rolling, your capillaries restrict, which will help ingredients from your products absorb into your skin even deeper.
Ice rolling is similar to getting lymphatic massages. It aids in draining fluid which helps de-puff your face and effectively reduce under-eye bags right after you’ve woken up. The drainage of excess fluid will dramatically improve the appearance of tired-looking eyes. It could even define your cheekbones and jawline. Overall, using an ice roller makes you look and feel more awake and refreshed, leaving you with a healthy and glowing complexion. What better way to start your day?
With regular everyday use over time, ice rolling may also help reduce wrinkles.
To use an ice roller, store it in the freezer so it is always ready for your skin! Gently roll it and massage for a few minutes on each area of your face, no more than 10 minutes for your whole face. You can use it in the morning to start the day, or to prep your skin for your nighttime routine before bed for that glowing complexion.
