You’ve probably seen it. A creator on TikTok, bleary-eyed in the morning, plunges her face into a bowl of ice water with a dramatic gasp. “Game-changer,” she says. And just like that, you’re hooked.
The cold plunge for your face is officially a skincare trend—and surprisingly, it’s not just a gimmick. This low-effort, high-impact ritual is making waves because it’s cheap and quick and leaves your skin looking refreshed and lifted almost instantly.
But as I’ve been trying it myself (yes, I’ve joined the ranks of the bowl-dippers), I started wondering: Is this the best we can do? Or is there a smarter way to harness the benefits, without the ice burns?
Why Everyone’s Dunking Their Face in Ice Water Lately
You may have seen it all over TikTok or Instagram: people submerging their faces into bowls of ice water, claiming instant glow-ups and beauty benefits. The concept is refreshingly simple. Exposing your skin to cold temperatures stimulates blood flow, tightens the pores, diminishes puffiness, and boosts natural radiance to your complexion. It’s like getting a mini cryotherapy session at home, without the hefty price tag or the need to book a clinic appointment.
Those who swear by the trend often highlight a few key benefits:
- A calming effect on inflammation, especially after a poor night’s sleep or a breakout
- Noticeably reduced puffiness around the eyes, giving a more rested appearance
- Temporary tightening of the skin, which can help refine texture
- An invigorating jolt of energy—great for waking up or resetting during a long day
Curious to see what the fuss was about, I tried it out every morning for a week. I have to admit, there were some impressive results. My face looked more toned, and the occasional puffiness around my eyes was visibly diminished. My skin even had a healthy flush, as if I had just returned from a brisk winter walk.
That said, there were also a few drawbacks I didn’t expect. It was cold (obviously) but not just in a refreshing way. After a few days, my sensitive skin felt slightly irritated. The process was messy and uncomfortable, especially when you’re still half-asleep. Meanwhile, the immediate effects didn’t always last throughout the day.
So, while dunking your face in ice water might be a fun, low-cost skincare experiment, it’s not without its limitations. It delivers a quick boost, sure, but for long-term results, you might want to look into methods that are a little more sustainable (and less freezing).
The Drawbacks No One Talks About
While cold plunging your face might feel invigorating, it’s not always ideal — especially if you have:
- Rosacea or sensitive skin: The extreme cold can trigger flare-ups or redness.
- Dry or reactive skin: Icy water can be harsh, leaving skin feeling tight or stripped.
- Limited time: It’s messy, not always convenient, and frankly uncomfortable when you’re half awake.
There’s also the issue of pore prep. Everyone talks about how cold closes pores — but what about opening them first to actually let skincare ingredients sink in? Without that step, you’re essentially sealing product out. That’s where most DIY routines fall short.
The Smarter Solution: Cold Plunge 2.0?
Here’s where things got interesting for me. While researching better ways to build a routine around cold therapy, I stumbled on a device called the Frosteam — and it might be the first thing I’ve seen that actually takes this trend and makes it… complete.
Instead of just dunking your face in a bowl, the Frosteam offers:
- A controlled cold bath chamber — no risk of overexposure or frostbite
- A nano-ionic steam phase to open pores beforehand — so your skincare actually works
- An aromatherapy diffuser — for a soothing, multisensory experience that your freezer can’t replicate
It basically packages the full cold-plunge experience, plus some, into a single skincare tool. And from what I’ve seen (and tried), it turns a viral hack into something that feels way more luxurious, safe, and effective.
Final Thoughts
I still love the minimalist thrill of sticking my face in a bowl of ice. It’s raw, it’s trendy, and it does give you that fresh-faced feeling. But if you’re looking for long-term results — or you’ve got skin that doesn’t love extremes — there’s a growing case to be made for upgrading the ritual to the Frosteam.
The Frosteam feels like what happens when skincare trends grow up: same concept, smarter execution.
And here’s the kicker: The Frosteam isn’t even officially out yet.
The device is set to launch on Kickstarter this May 15, and honestly, I get the feeling it’s going to blow up. Until then, early backers off their website get an exclusive $150 off their Frosteam device at launch. It’s a limited-time offer for those who believe in smarter skincare before it goes mainstream — and honestly, a steal for what this thing does.
What’s especially cool is that the Frosteam doesn’t just replace the cold plunge — it reimagines it. It turns a trend into a full routine, backed by research and designed for real skin (not just Instagram skin). It bridges the gap between spa luxury and daily habit, and for those of us who are obsessed with the feeling of fresh, clean, lifted skin… it might just become a staple.
So if you’ve been thinking about adding cold therapy to your skincare lineup — or upgrading that ice bowl on your kitchen counter — this is definitely one launch to watch.