Douse & refresh

Give yourself a facelift this Diwali with ice dunk or water facial and get that supple, bouncy, gleamy, re-energised skin

- Pramita Bose

Monsoon receded, autumn is here and winter is not far behind. This is the phase when the skin starts feeling tight and stretchy.

By the time the cold months come knocking on our door, the skin is already dry, scaly and flaky. Also, with Diwali fervour — the sparkling festival of lights — in the air, environmental pollution peaks around this time. The air quality index is at its worst and the levels of suspended dust particles see a visible spike. Smog and toxic substances take a toll on our skin as well as senses.

One needs to hydrate the skin, shrink its puffiness and give it a fresh glow. A wonderful remedy at hand is ice dunking or dipping your face in icy cold water.

Can ice dunking be a potent solution to this menace or is it just a social media trend set by the influencers to follow with short-lived gains?

Skin experts share their views.

Diwali tip

This Diwali, let your skincare journey mirror your celebrations with ‘a balanced, bright and a mindful approach’.

"Ice dunking can be your quick morning retuning but true glaze of your skin comes from consistent care. So, cleanse gently, hydrate deeply and protect wisely,” dispenses Dr Sonali Kohli, senior consultant dermatologist at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital.

“It’s like a mini-cryotherapy session that instantly revives dull skin. However, it doesn't prevent pollutants from entering the skin barrier. To truly safeguard your skin, pair this ritual with antioxidant serums (think Vitamin C or E) and barrier-repair moisturisers,” suggests Dr Kohli.