If you’ve been scrolling TikTok lately, chances are you’ve stumbled across someone gliding an ice roller across their cheekbones or rubbing green tea ice cubes on their under-eyes while promising a radiant glow. It looks refreshing, it looks cheap, and it looks like one of those old-fashioned skin care methods that somehow made a comeback as part of the new skincare trends. But here’s the million-dollar question people keep asking: do you ice your face before or after moisturizer?
It might sound like a simple “before or after” debate, but the science behind facial icing, cold therapy, and how your skin actually reacts to freezing temperatures is a little more complex. So let’s break it all down – what icing really does to your blood vessels, whether it shrinks pore size, the best way to avoid skin irritation, and ultimately, how to fit it into your regular skincare routine for the best results.
The Science Of Cold Therapy On Your Skin
Here’s what actually happens when you rub ice on your face. Cold temperature hits your facial skin, your blood vessels snap shut (that’s vasoconstriction if you want the nerdy word), and blood circulation slows down in that spot. That’s why your under-eye bags suddenly look smaller and your cheeks feel tighter. It’s not skincare sorcery, it’s just your body reacting to being hit with freezing temperatures.
Derms have used cold compresses forever to calm down flare-ups – stuff like post-laser swelling, skin irritation, or general redness. Cold has anti-inflammatory properties, so it chills things out (literally). But here’s the kicker: when it comes to “ice facials” as a skincare trend, the science is thin. There aren’t a bunch of fancy clinical trials proving it fixes fine lines, shrinks pore size, or keeps blemishes away. What we’ve got is mostly physiology plus a lot of personal experiences from people on TikTok and in beauty routines. So yeah, it “works” – but only in the short-term way:
- Puffiness goes down (especially puffy eyes).
- Appearance of pores looks smaller, but your pore size doesn’t actually change.
- Skin feels calmer if you’ve got irritation, unless you overdo it and end up with ice burn.
And that’s the other side of this: if you stick ice straight on your face without a barrier, you can mess up your skin. Sensitive skin especially hates direct contact. That’s why the best way is always wrapping it in a soft cloth or moving an ice roller or ice globes in circular motion – never just holding an ice cube on the same affected area.
So, facial icing is kind of like that old-fashioned skin care method your grandma probably did with a bowl of cold water. It gives you a quick radiant glow and makes your skin feel tighter, but it’s not gonna replace your vitamin C serum, your hyaluronic acid, or sunscreen. It’s a quick fix, not a long-term plan.
Related: 5 Anti-Aging Superstars To Add To Your Skincare Routine
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents premature aging, and gives your complexion a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
The Real Benefits Of Rubbing Ice On Your Face
So, why is such trend blowing up again in recent years? Because despite its limitations, there really are some various benefits when you use the proper technique:
- Facial puffiness & puffy eyes: Probably the best part. An ice pack or ice globes used in circular motion under your eyes can reduce swelling in minutes.
- Appearance of pores: While icing won’t physically change pore size (sorry, science doesn’t back that up), the cooling effect tightens blood vessels temporarily, which makes pores look smaller on the skin’s surface.
- Makeup application: Makeup artists sometimes use ice facials before makeup application to help foundation sit smoother. Think of it as a natural primer trick.
- Excess sebum: Cold therapy might reduce oil production slightly in the affected area, which can help with shine control and blemish control – but again, it’s temporary.
- Radiant glow: By alternating warm water and cold water rinses or using green tea ice cubes, some people swear they get a refreshed, radiant glow because the skin’s surface reacts to these external factors with a boost in blood circulation.
Are these benefits of icing permanent? No. But as part of a cosmetic regimen, they can make your skin look and feel better for a short time – and sometimes, that’s all you need.
Do You Ice Your Face Before Or After Moisturizer?
Okay, let’s just answer the thing straight up: you ice first, then moisturize. That’s it. That’s the move. Here’s how it actually goes down: you wash your face (warm water, cleanser, whatever you normally use). Then you grab your ice roller, or maybe you’ve got green tea ice cubes in the freezer because TikTok made you do it. Wrap it in a soft cloth unless you’re into the whole ice burn chic (please don’t be), and just run it over your face in circular motion. Whole thing takes like 2-3 minutes tops. You’ll feel that cooling effect instantly – facial puffiness chills out, your pores look smaller, and you get that “I actually slept last night” vibe.
After that, let your skin breathe for like a minute. Blood vessels need a second to stop freaking out. Then – and this is key – put on your moisturizer or serum. Vitamin C in the morning, hyaluronic acid if your skin’s thirsty, whatever your regular skincare routine is. Ice doesn’t hydrate. If anything, it can leave you dry if you don’t follow up. That’s why the Cleveland Clinic (yes, actual doctors) says always moisturize after.
And it’s not just them. Vogue asked dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman about skin icing and she’s all for it – but only if you do it right. Her rules? Short sessions, always with a barrier, and yes, moisturizer afterwards. Byrdie says the same: cleanse, ice, moisturize. By the way, the Cleveland Clinic backs this too: if you skip moisturizer after icing, your skin just ends up tight and cranky instead of glowing.
Could you moisturize first and then ice? Yeah, some people swear the cold creates a pulling effect that helps your products sink in. If that feels good to you, do it. But most experts – and honestly, most regular people – will tell you ice first, moisturizer after is the best way to go.
The Best Practices (So You Don’t Hurt Your Skin)
I know, icing sounds idiot-proof, but people still manage to mess it up. Don’t be that person.
- No raw ice straight on your face. Use a thin cloth, soft cloth, or make aloe vera ice cubes if you wanna get fancy. Aloe has anti-inflammatory properties so it’s like a two-for-one.
- Keep it moving. Ice globes, ice roller, frozen spoons, whatever you’re using – don’t park it on one spot. That’s how you get skin irritation. Just keep it gliding in circular motion over your face.
- Don’t overdo it. Five minutes max. Any longer and you’re just giving yourself freezer burn.
- Know your skin type. If you’ve got rosacea or eczema or any inflammatory skin conditions, cold therapy might piss your skin off instead of helping. Test it out gently, don’t go full Elsa on day one.
- Personal preferences count. Some people swear by regular use of ice in their beauty routine. Others are like “nah, I’ll stick to my jade roller and natural skincare products.” Both are fine.
The Bottom Line
So yeah, facial icing works – just don’t expect miracles. Do you ice your face before or after moisturizer? Ice first, moisturize after. That way you get the cooling effect without ending up dry and irritated. And honestly? Sometimes the biggest skin benefits don’t even matter. The best part is how damn good it feels. Like a cold compress for your brain after a long day. That refreshing sensation alone is worth keeping a few aloe ice cubes or an ice roller in your freezer.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
