Ice bath for your face: the beauty hack of Hailey Bieber (and why Jennifer Aniston has been doing it for years)
It is sometimes so nice to endlessly scroll on Insta or TikTok, especially when your algorithm perfectly matches your interests. This time, the first thing I saw was: it-girl Hailey Bieber, literally with her head in a bowl of ice water right before the MET gala. And believe me, she looked flawless that evening – didn’t you think? By the way, Jennifer Aniston has been doing this for years, so yes, we beauty editors naturally want to know: what does such an ice bath actually do for your face? Time to take a good look at this cold trend.
What is an ice bath for your face actually?
Very simple: an ice bath (or ice facial) is literally a bowl of ice-cold water in which you immerse your face. Some do it with just ice cubes, others add some nourishing ingredients like green tea or rose water. It is the ultimate wake-up call for your skin (and honestly: also a bit for your whole body).
The benefits of an ice bath for your face
Why are all those celebs doing this? Well, cold constricts blood vessels, reducing swelling and redness. Your skin looks tighter, fresher, and pores appear smaller. You also get that beautiful glow because circulation gets a boost. Jennifer Aniston swears by it to give her skin a fresh start in the morning: “It de-puffs and wakes me up instantly,” she said in an interview.
This is what Jennifer Aniston says about her icy morning routine
Jennifer once mentioned that she washes her face with ice-cold water every morning and occasionally really takes an ice bath. “It might be a bit old school, but I notice such a difference. My skin feels tighter and I have less trouble with bags under my eyes,” says Jen. And honestly: if this is one of her secrets to looking so amazing, we are of course immediately sold.
Jennifer Aniston takes a slightly different approach
In an interview with Allure, she explained her routine, which deviates quite a bit from what most TikTokers do. Instead of immersing her face, she fills a bowl with ice water and splashes her face a whopping 25 times in a row. “It’s super simple, costs nothing, and it tightens everything,” says Jennifer. She admits that it wakes her up immediately and makes her skin look fresh and radiant. Dermatologists agree: cold water reduces swelling, calms redness, and stimulates circulation. A simple and inexpensive (also nice sometimes) beauty hack with beautiful results.
Hailey Bieber’s MET gala preparation: icy and brilliant
She shared a video (not to be missed by the way, because she starts right away) in which she dips her face in a bowl of ice to calm her skin and give it a natural lift. And let’s be real: her skin was next-level glowy that evening. After such an ice bath, she applied a generous layer of hydrating cream mask on her skin, topped with a sheet mask for an extra boost. That Hailey is not afraid of a little cold on her face was also shown in one of her “Beauty tips and tricks” videos on YouTube, together with skincare guru Hyram Yarbro (known from Selfless by Hyram, with about 4.5 million followers). They test all sorts of nice products, but there is one that stands out: the Ice Roller. And you can get it for less than ten bucks (for example here on Amazon). “I see this everywhere on TikTok… and oh, this feels so nice,” says Hailey as she glides the icy roller over her skin. Hyram, who is known for his critical view on TikTok trends, completely agreed. And TikTokers swear by it en masse: the hashtag #IceRoller now has over 60 million views (!). How does it work? Very simple: you fill it with water, put it in the freezer, and take it out when you want to use it.
The science behind the ice bath face
Cold water or such an ice bath can do wonders temporarily. It reduces inflammation, tightens the skin, and stimulates blood circulation. But: the effect is temporary. So see it mainly as a quick boost, not as a replacement for your entire skincare routine. Fun fact: ice facials are also often used before big events to make makeup sit better.
Can it also have disadvantages?
As with everything in skincare: do your research before you start or apply something to your skin. Do you have sensitive skin or rosacea? Then cold can actually be a trigger instead of calming. It’s also wise not to do it for too long (max. 30 seconds at a time) and to hydrate your skin well afterward. Dermatologists advise not to do it more than a few times a week; the shock effect of the extreme cold is not suitable for every day.
@haileybieberhow I prepped my skin at home ahead of the Met Gala 🪽♬ original sound – ava
Here’s how to do it at home: tips & tricks
- Fill a large bowl with cold water and ice cubes.
- Extra option: add green tea, cucumber, or rose water for an extra boost.
- Immerse your face for 10-30 seconds. Too cold? Alternate with a little breathing in between.
- Gently pat dry and immediately apply your favorite serum or moisturizer.
- Try it in the morning for a fresh glow or just before a party.
The best tools for home use
No time or ice cubes at home? Then use an ice roller or special cryo sticks. They give almost the same effect but are just a bit more practical. Jennifer is also said to be a big fan of jade rollers that she puts in the freezer for a few minutes for a mini-ice facial and believe me: it’s really nice to wake up this way.
