What are Ice globes?
Ice globes are round glass tools filled with liquid that produce a cooling effect when chilled in the refrigerator overnight. They have a variety of therapeutic effects, including reducing redness, puffiness, dark circles and minimizing pores.
"Ice globes really help to reduce inflammation and reduce puffiness and redness," says Morgan Rackley, celebrity esthetician and owner of Luminous Skin Atlanta. "Think of it this way: If you sprained your ankle, you would use ice to reduce inflammation, bruising and pain. The same is true for facial skin, and using an ice ball is a fun, quick way to achieve those results."
The glass pucks come in a beautifully packaged pink box that fits snugly and securely inside the foam cutout. They come with detailed instructions and illustrations highlighting two primary uses: 1) as a lifting facial massager to stimulate circulation, oxygenate skin and enhance elasticity, and 2) as a lymphatic facial massager to stimulate nerves, relieve tension, reduce future breakouts and release toxins.
Step 1: Cooling Ice globes
Excited to put them to the test, I noticed a warning at the bottom, "Do not store Ice Globes in the refrigerator. Store in the refrigerator or in an ice bowl or cold water before use." Wow, crisis averted. After browsing their website, I learned that the specially designed liquid inside the ice globes would not hold up when frozen. So I put them in the freezer for 10 minutes, which is the recommended duration.
Step 2: Applying the serum
While I was waiting, I applied the facial serum. The box says that ice spheres work best "after removing the moisturizing mask or serum," which Rackley notes is because the spheres help the product penetrate the skin instead of sitting on it. This step is just as important as getting your skincare routine moving smoothly so the products work their magic by penetrating the skin (although I certainly don't recommend using it after a heavy hit).
Step 3: Massage Ice globes into the skin
I started using the puck by following the steps of the lymphatic facial massage. Starting in the center of my face, I roll the ball outward and then down my neck. Lakely recommends keeping the pucks moving rather than placing them in one place and holding them in one spot, as that can cause irritation. The puck glided effortlessly across my skin, and the coolness was absolutely amazing in 113 degree Fahrenheit weather.
I looked more flushed than usual that day, and I was happy to see that my skin tone was even after using the globe. This is probably a combination of the cooling effect of the puck and the fact that my skin absorbed the serum correctly.
I also tried a lifting facial massage that included upward strokes along my chin, cheekbones and above my eyebrows. While I can't say I noticed a noticeable lift in my skin after one application, it was certainly satisfying - better than nothing. After a while, my lifting method changed, with impromptu strokes up and down in all directions. Amazingly, this was my winning lottery ticket. Following the contours of my skin while paying attention to which areas need to be lifted proved to work best.
Mornings are my favorite time to use pucks because they immediately reduce puffiness while helping my skin look and feel more awake. Following Rackley's advice, I cleanse the pucks with 70% alcohol after each session. This ensures that my new skincare tools are clean and tidy for later use. I also store them in the foam cutout they arrive in to keep them safe.
The Benefits
Provides an at-home spa-like facial massage
Accelerates absorption of skin products
Reduces redness, puffiness, hyperpigmentation and dark circles
Reduces pore size
Reviewers mention that ice balls can also relieve pain from headaches and migraines
Disadvantages
Not safe to leave in the fridge overnight
Must be extra careful as they can easily slip out of your hands after applying serum or moisturizer
10 minutes in the fridge wasn't long enough for me, so I doubled the time to make sure they stayed cool during my facial massage
But the above drawbacks have been perfectly solved by the POLEVIEW Ice globes, as I thickened the borosilicate glass with a new antifreeze solution so that the ice globes can be stored in the fridge for a long time without breaking due to freezing. We also added a sponge handle cover for him in order to prevent hands from frostbite has slipped.
