Ice water facial: Beauty boost or skin hazard?

The world of skincare is constantly buzzing with new fads—some rooted in science, others in social media hype.

- DR. KARUNA MALHOTRA

The latest viral craze is the ice water facial, where individuals dunk their face into a bowl of icy water to achieve instant de-puffing and a radiant glow. But is this chilly ritual a dermatologist's dream or a potential skin hazard?

The appeal is obvious: ice constricts blood vessels, reducing puffiness, tightening the skin, and giving a temporary brightening effect. With celebrities and beauty influencers swearing by it, it has become a quick-fix hack for tired mornings or pre-event skin prep.

Dr. Karuna Malhotra, Aesthetic Physician, Cosmetologist and Skin specialist from Cosmetic Skin and Homeo Clinic Rajouri Garden New Delhi explains, “Cold therapy is not new—it has long been used in dermatology to reduce inflammation and swelling. However, what we are seeing on social media is an extreme, unregulated version of this practice.”

According to Dr. Karuna Malhotra, immersing the face in ice water can indeed bring about some short-term benefits:

• Reduces puffiness by shrinking blood vessels and calming fluid retention.