Ice for Acne? Uncover the Natural benefits
Authored by: Ruchika Chaurasia |
Reviewed by: Kapil Dhameja |
Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes |
“Agrh, I hate this; why did it have to pop up around this time only? Says Jessica in frustration to her sister, working in the kitchen,
“What happened? Why are you so stressed? Says her elder sister, Emma.
“I have my farewell next week, and look at this pimple popping out to be the show spoiler,” says Jessica.
“Oh, that's why you have been acting up all this morning; look what I am doing,” says Emma.
“You are making ice cubes; what's new in that? Do something about my pimple," says Jessica.
“These cubes will help you get rid of your show spoiler; don't you want to know how? Or should I just add them to my Coke?” Says Emma jokingly,
“Wait, really? Tell me about it, sister,” says Jessica with hope in her eyes.
Emma opens up a whole new side of ice to her sister; let's dive in together to explore it in detail.
Table of Content |
Benefits of using ice on skin

“Jessica, you are very fond of Vogue articles, no? You must have read this one published that says, ‘Should you be putting ice on your face?’, says Emma.
In this article, experts firmly say that putting ice on your face is very beneficial. It also mentions Lisa Eldridge, a YouTube sensation, who swears by ice facials to tackle early set times and jet-lagged models. She says that pressing an ice cube to the roof of your mouth, which contains receptors for your face's blood vessels, can help minimize redness.
Applying ice to the skin is popularly referred to as ‘cold therapy’ or ‘skin icing,’ so let's uncover some advantages:
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Enhance Blood Circulation— Applying ice on your skin helps restore blood flow and improves blood circulation. It also helps the skin get oxygen and nutrients, which preserve its young look and give it a good glow.
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Minimize Puffiness—We all hate those puffy eyes we have been gifted by scrolling all day on the phone. Icing jumps in the scene, making it easier for us to get rid of puffy eyes. The under-eye area is most targeted, so start by applying ice on it, which will help reduce swelling and improve a tired and puffy look by draining out excess fluid.
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Combat Wrinkles—The ice helps fasten the collagen production, which is important for the elasticity of skin and youthfulness. Skin icing is useful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles and maintaining the natural appearance.
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Relieves Acne—If you have acne-prone skin, applying ice directly on pimples or blemishes might help reduce their size and discomfort. Ice can help reduce inflammation, redness, and sebum production, all of which contribute to acne outbreaks.
“Sister, I used to think ice cubes looked nice in the Coke glass only,” says Jessica out of curiosity.
“Ice cubes are not limited to that only; you must know now,” says Emma. “Have you ever wondered why acne occurs?” she added.
“Not really, they are moody sister, just like you,” says Jessica laughingly.
“Do you not want my help, or should I stop? Let me tell you why they pop out,” says Emma.
She starts by telling the Ayurvedic aspect of why acne occurs, so let’s see the real cause.
Ayurvedic perspective on why acne occurs?

In Ayurveda, it is said that when acne occurs, our body is trying to communicate with us that there is some improper functioning inside our body's dosha system. It can be such as an upset stomach, acidity, changes in dietary habits, or switching from healthy food intake to an unhealthy one.
Some causes of acne occur as prescribed by Ayurveda:
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Hormonal Changes—Teenagers are more prone to acne as during this time hormonal fluctuations are at their peak, such as puberty, menstruation, stress, etc., which can lead to a rise in the heat temperature of the body.
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Hygiene and lifestyle—We all love street foods, which come with a lot of health issues as well. Mostly oil-based fast foods, unhygienic kitchens at restaurants, etc., contribute a lot to imbalancing our system.
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Environment—Our surroundings are filled with unwanted pollutants, sweats, particles, polluted air, etc., which can cause harm to our skin and health. It is necessary to take precautions before stepping out and to be consistent with it.
“Jessica, now that I have told you how icing can be beneficial, it doesn't mean you will recklessly use it on your skin,” says Emma.
She wants to convey that while ice can have advantages, it must be used with proper care.
Limitations and risks of using ice on acne

Something beneficial doesn't necessarily mean to has no bad side to it; it's the mixture of both qualities that makes it special and useful. It goes the same with cold therapy; ice does have a lot of advantages and is proven to be beneficial as well, but it comes with some risks of using it, which need to be taken care of.
Some shortcomings of ice therapy are:
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The risk of ice burn—Applying ice directly can cause many issues like ice burns or frostbite. You must wrap the ice in a cloth or towel and then use it. Putting ice on sensitive skin can result in peeling, dryness, or redness. People with rosacea should avoid face icing because it can worsen their symptoms.
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Short-term relief—Although icing is very effective in reducing redness and swelling, it gives only a temporary solution to the issue and does not address the root causes of acne, such as bacteria, clogged pores, excess oil, etc.
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Not a permanent fix—Using ice is well known for its capability of reducing inflammation, and it can be used as a substitute for proper acne treatment, but not as a long-term solution.
“Sister, you told me so many things about icing, but how do I do it properly? Tell me that,” says Jessica.
“We are moving onto that only, Jessica,” says Emma.
The right way to use ice for pimples
Applying it in the right way is the most important thing to take care of. It's not that big of a task, but you need to follow a few steps while icing your face.
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Wash your skin—First, use a cleanser to remove any dirt, oil, or pollutants that build up on your face over the day.
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Clean Ice Cubes—Use clean water for freezing the ice cubes so that no unwanted particles are present there.
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Wrap the Ice—Rather than applying the ice straight to your acne or face, wrap it in a soft towel or cloth and gently apply it to your entire face.
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Apply gently—Apply ice to your acne and pimples in a circular motion, and do not leave it on for more than 1-2 minutes.
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Moisturize—After icing, apply some moisturizer on your face to keep it hydrated, as ice leaves the skin a little bit dry.
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Limit face icing—Do face icing one to two times a day, and not more than that. Otherwise, it can lead to skin dryness or irritation.
“Well, Jessica, you know there are other ways as well, other than using ice for pimples,” says Emma.
“Really, you need to tell me, sister; I will try them sometime for sure,” says Jessica, smiling.
Ice therapy alternatives for acne treatment

Cold therapy does provide a lot of benefits, but if icing doesn't suit your skin type, no need to worry; there are many alternatives that give good solutions for both the short-term and long-term acne treatments.
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Aloe Vera Gel—Aloe vera gel has been a must for so long in people’s skincare routines because of its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps in calming the irritated skin and reducing swelling. Many people raise aloe vera in their homes and apply it to their faces, but you can also buy aloe vera gel in the market and apply it to your entire face or pimple and keep it on for 10-15 minutes before washing.
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Honey and Cinnamon Mask—The natural antibacterial qualities of cinnamon and honey are similar and are excellent for the skin. The skin feels calm and moisturized with honey. You will need 1 tablespoon of honey and ½ tablespoon of cinnamon powder. Apply it on your pimple and leave it for 10-15 minutes, and wash it with warm water.
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Extract of Green Tea—Green tea has many antioxidant properties which are effective in fighting the germs and help lower inflammation, causing acne. It can also control sebum output. You can use a cotton pad to dab cooled, brewed green tea on your skin or use a green tea toner. You can even apply creams containing green tea extract.
Summary
“Jessica, are you ready to say goodbye to your show spoiler before your farewell?” says Emma, passing a smile to her sister.
“I am super excited for this, and I didn't know that ice can be used for such things as well; it is indeed a true gem,” says Jessica, jumping.
Recommended Products:-
Ayurvedic Products for Acne & Blemishes
Skin Care Products for Oily Skin
Skincare Products for Dull & Damaged Skin
Related Articles:-
Ayurvedic explanation of Acne and Acne removal Remedies
Open Pores on the Face: Causes, Fixes, and Pore-Saving Tips
Rice water for Skin: a grain turned beauty elixir
Anti Aging Serum in Modern Science and Ayurvedic Wisdom
References :-
https://www.vogue.com/article/ice-cubes-best-skincare-trick-pore-shrinking-acne-cure-beauty-benefits
https://www.healthline.com/health/ice-on-pimple#What-to-know-before-you-try-this-method
https://saguaroderm.com/acne-treatment/
External links
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vata-dosha-pitta-dosha-kapha-dosha
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