I have been a longtime fan of the ice roller. Try as I might, sometimes a good night’s sleep just won’t cure my morning dullness and puffiness. And that’s where ice rolling comes in. This handheld tool is designed to deliver a cooling sensation to the skin, and although it’s best known for quickly de-puffing, ice rollers also provide several other great skincare benefits. In this post you’ll find the benefits of ice-rolling and how to use this frosty face roller as part of your morning skincare routine.
MY ICE ROLLER PICK: I am totally obsessed with my pink ice roller from The Skinny Confidential. It’s a great ice roller because it’s balanced and easy to hold, and it stays cooler than the other ice rollers I’ve tried.
Although there is no best time to use an ice roller, you can use it whenever you’d like. I prefer to use one in the morning to start the day feeling refreshed and energized. An ice roller is one of my favorite skincare tools because it’s an easy way to de-puff the face and reduce any inflammation that may have accumulated overnight.
You’re probably already familiar with the concept of cryotherapy and have seen athletes or wellness experts do cold plunges on social media. And yes, there are real benefits to this; cold temperatures have been used to reduce inflammation and to speed up healing for years.
An ice roller is a facial roller specifically used to cool and tighten the skin. Ice rollers can instantly reduce facial puffiness, along with providing many of the same benefits as a jade roller. Here are my favorite ice roller benefits.
You may also be wondering, can’t I just use ice cubes? And while yes, they do provide the same cold exposure, melting ice cubes can be quite messy, and often ice rollers have a stainless steel or aluminum interior to stay cooler, longer.
Ice Roller vs. Jade Roller: What’s the Difference?
Although ice rollers and jade rollers have similar skin benefits in that they both help with lymphatic drainage and better circulation, there are some slight differences between the two.
Jade rollers are primarily used as facial massagers to sculpt and add subtle definition to your cheeks and jawline, while also aiding in product absorption when using serums.
And although jade is cool to the touch (and you can refrigerate your roller), ice rollers in nature stay cooler, longer.
Ice rollers are used to cool and tighten the skin. They can instantly de-puff your face, along with providing many of the same benefits as a jade roller.
The Skinny Confidential
Ice Roller
Reduces puffiness and redness, boosts circulation, and helps with lymphatic drainage.
11 Benefits of Ice Rolling in the Morning
De-Puffs
One of the most noticeable and well-known benefits of ice rolling is its instant ability to reduce puffiness. When you wake up you may experience morning puffiness due to a variety of factors, such as fluid retention, allergies, a late night, or even overindulging the night before. Using an ice roller makes your skin look instantly less puffy. Using an ice roller makes your skin look instantly less puffy.
Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is a common problem for many people, particularly in the morning. An ice roller can help to lower inflammation by constricting blood vessels and reducing swelling.
Tightens Skin
Another result of constricted blood vessels? An almost instant appearance of firmer, tighter skin.
Calms Redness
This is particularly beneficial for those with sensitive skin or acne-prone skin, as it can help to decrease redness and any irritation.
Boosts Circulation for a Natural Glow
Put simply, ice rollers stimulate blood flow to the face. By rolling it over the skin, you can increase circulation, which helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells. The result is a brighter, glowy complexion. This improved circulation can also reduce the appearance of broken capillaries and other imperfections for more radiant skin.
Helps with Under-Eye Circles
Thanks to improved blood circulation, you can also expect to see diminished under-eye circles. The cold temperature of ice rollers provides a cooling sensation, giving the appearance of a more refined and awake under-eye area. For best results, I like to leave the ice roller under my eyes for a few seconds, just as if I were using a cold compress. Bye-bye dark under-eye circles!
Provides Lymphatic Drainage
By using an ice roller in the morning, you can help to stimulate lymphatic drainage in the face. The lymphatic system is responsible for removing toxins and waste from the body, and ice rolling can help to promote this, along with a healthier complexion.
Defines Your Features
The combination of improved blood circulation and lymphatic massage also helps to define your features. You’ll notice in the photos below less puffiness near my jawline, and that it’s more defined after using an ice roller.
Aids in Product Absorption
You can also use an ice roller to get maximum benefits skincare products.
Just before using your roller, apply a moisturizer or serum, then gently roll your ice roller across your face to apply the product. The cold temperature tightens pores, drawing ingredients deeper into the skin, and therefore allowing them to work harder than they would at surface level.
Helps with Muscle Tension
Cold therapy is one of the effective ways to relive muscle tension. Using an ice roller gently on your face and even on the back of your neck can help ease headaches.
Soothes Sunburn
Similarly, an ice roller can also soothe sunburn thanks to its cool temperature.
Ice Roller Before & After
The two photos below are unedited iPhone photos showing my face first thing in the morning, and then after using my ice roller. I personally always notice a huge difference under my eyes and how the cooling action of the tool instantly helps reduce puffiness and decreases redness.
As you can see in the photo on the left, my eye area and cheeks look puffy. In the photo on the right, my eyes appear bigger, my skin face isn’t as puffy, and my chin/jawline area is much more defined. I even think my dimple on the lower left a is bit more noticeable, too!
How to Use an Ice Roller
Step 1
Before using the ice roller, always start with a freshly cleansed, dry face.
Step 2
Start at the center of your forehead, then work down to your chin, Finally, move onto your cheeks and roll from the center of your face outwards. Be sure you always roll up and away from the ground; you want to teach your skin the direction you want it to go – and it’s not to the floor!
Use your ice roller for about 10-15 minutes. I usually need a bit more help under my eyes, so I’ll leave the roller there for a few seconds on each side. You can also use the ice roller on your neck and décolletage.
Whenever you use an ice roller, you want to gently roll it along your face. There’s no need to apply too much pressure or be too heavy-handed.
Step 3
Once you’ve used the ice roller in all areas, gently massage the face and neck with your fingers to help absorb the benefits of ice rolling.
Step 4
Continue with your skincare routine as you normally would. If you’re not sure where to begin, try this simple skincare routine for beginners.
You can achieve a brighter-looking appearance complexion with this easy-to-use hand-held tool.
I love my ice roller, and ice rolling is a great way to reduce puffiness, promote lymphatic drainage, and reduce inflammation in the skin. It can help you start your day looking and feeling refreshed, and the best part is, you only need to set aside a couple extra minutes in your daily routine.
