My former facialist used to instruct me to "ice" my face daily to help treat my adult acne and inflammation. While I enjoyed the effects of this practice, I hated the actual process. The melting cubes made a mess of my face and the water started dripping onto my face and the towel I used to protect my fingers from frostbite. So, after a few weeks of the ritual, I gave up for about ten years. Then I discovered the ice ball for my face, which, in addition to coming with a host of skin care benefits, was the prettiest addition to my vanity.
Now, to be clear, hockey pucks are nothing new. For years, facialists and estheticians have been using liquid-filled glass tools as a form of cryotherapy. Recently, however, these little secret weapons have made their way to the masses in various forms: spheres, rollers, massage balls, etc. One of the main benefits of cooling or icing the face for tension and sinus pain, as well as stimulating blood flow and aiding lymphatic drainage, includes reducing inflammation, as ice and cold are a natural anti-inflammatory agent. In the long run, this helps to significantly tighten and tone the skin and adds extra radiance to the skin.
I recently got my first taste of ice balls at work during a facial at the spa and have been completely transformed since. In addition to the firm, glowing complexion, the globe infused facial massage itself was incredibly relaxing and soothing. I was hooked.
Sensing my enthusiasm, Mustedanagić generously gave me a pair of colorful Faceé hand-shaped globes - a vibrant, shimmering blue-green set that could easily be mistaken for an ornament for my vanity. I decided to put them to the test and see if I could recreate the magic at home.
Now, part of the appeal of hockey pucks is their ease of use. All you need to do is chill the spheres in the fridge or on ice for about 20 minutes. After cleansing, apply your favorite serum, moisturizer or hydrating mask to help prevent pulling on your skin. Use medium pressure (gentle pressure around the eyes) lifting movements to lift the skin and move downward to promote lymphatic drainage and circulation. Repeat each movement three to five times a day, morning and evening, for 10 to 15 minutes each time.
Due to my commitment issues, I decided to start small and add the globe to my morning routine for about 5 to 10 minutes after using my favorite serum. I then make myself comfortable on the couch, turn on a podcast or morning prayer meditation, and apply an ice-cold eye mask to my face, focusing on the eyes and cheeks that tend to be puffy, inflamed and red.
Now, I usually wake up around 5:30 a.m. because I keep my East Coast work hours every day. While my body has gotten used to waking up early, my face hasn't. Puffiness and under-eye bags are a cliché and I have yet to find a long-term solution other than concealer. So you can imagine my surprise and joy when I saw an immediate improvement in the puffy, sleepy eyes I've been fighting for so long, thanks to my new hockey puck. My delicate skin felt firmer and tighter, and my little ones looked more awake even in the wee hours of the morning.
After a few minutes, that tightness transferred to my cheeks and forehead as well, and the texture and appearance of my complexion felt smoother and had a nice luminosity to it. As a bonus, I find that any makeup I use - I mainly use cream-based formulas - goes on easily and looks more natural and radiant on my skin.
From a psychological standpoint, the morning frosting has become something I look forward to. I usually spend the morning frantically surfing the web and checking my email, and this little habit gives me a reason to slow down and take a minute or two before I get into the hustle and bustle of a busy day. The cooling sensation was incredibly soothing and helped me get into a more focused state.
After a few weeks, I also started using the puck in my evening routine, applying ice to my face while I watched some old-fashioned trash TV. Like my morning routine, it helps calm me down and refreshes my skin before bed.
