'Skin icing' - the new facial cryotherapy trend for when you've reached peak jade roller

Self-care is the current buzzword but what happens when you reach peak jade roller? Enter facial cryotherapy – also known as 'skin icing' - the cool new trend flooding TikTok and Reels.

A cursory glance at flat lays on Instagram reveals a love affair with the jade roller - both for massage and as an easy way of incorporating the best crystals for beginners into a daily routine. 

But in the background the equivalent of a facial roller 2.0 has been gaining traction: ice globes.  The idea of using ice, or even splashing your face with cold water, in the morning isn't exactly new.  But the latest generation of ice-based tools means it's an easier - and more relaxing - process to master at home.

But can we really freeze our faces into a brighter, tighter version of themselves?

Quite apart from taking your cheekbones to a whole new level, muscle stimulation, lymphatic drainage, immediate skin tightening and boosted circulation for a rosy glow are just a few of the benefits of skin icing.

Teresa Tarmey who relies on her own Cryo-Ball to smooth away 7am puff-face says: "The sub-zero temperatures and rolling sensation stimulates circulation, de-puffs and sculpts." 

Better still, the effects are almost immediate, according to Dr. Yannis Alexandrides, cosmetic surgeon and founder of 111 Skin:

"Cryotherapy used either on the body or face incites vasoconstriction – a reduction of the blood vessel size.”  This constriction and icy shock to the skin sends fresh blood to the area - and we all know that fresh blood also carries fresh oxygen and nutrients so that fresh-from-the-cold glow is more than just superficial. It also means that the best vitamin C serums you apply afterwards will sink in better and make more of a difference.

Some cryotherapy tools are made of steel so when you keep them in the freezer they retain those icy temperatures. Others are made of glass, look like a pair of maracas and contain freeze-retaining fluids.  Whichever you choose is down to personal preference. Here's our pick of the best to help you decide:

001 Skincare CRYOpress Ice Facial Massager

With a fan base including Jennifer Aniston and Gigi Hadid, this tool maintains a cool temperature of between -8 and -25 degrees Celsius. The brand also claims it helps to soothe sensitive skin. 

Georgia Louise Cryo Freeze Tools

Georgia Louise frequently uses these tools over a sheet mask as part of her in-clinic procedures. She recommends first rolling from the inner areas of the face, outwards  and then holding them over the eyes to drain away excess fluid. 

Fraîcheur Ice Globes

They may look like a sophisticated rattle for adults but after freezing these globes overnight they make for one of the most relaxing a.m. treatment as they glide over the skin. 

Teresa Tarmey Cryo-Ball

This surgical-grade steel ball contains fluids that stay freezing cold while you roll the ball across the forehead, over the cheeks, around the eyes and along the jawline.