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The 11 Best Ice Face Masks to Soothe and De-Puff
Upgrade your routine with these top-rated favorites
When your skin is red, inflamed, or looking a little lackluster, the best ice face masks—often known as cryotherapy masks—are among the go-to tools to keep in your skincare rotation.
"A cooling mask can help reduce inflammation, soothe acne, improve circulation, minimize puffiness and pore size, tighten and firm skin, and calm post-treatment irritation," esthetician and brand founder Sofie Pavitt tells Bazaar. "I highly recommend my clients dealing with concerns such as acne to utilize ice therapy to really help calm their skin," she says. "Or, if you have a professional peel, dermaplaning, or other cosmetic facial procedure, it can be helpful to soothe the skin after these types of treatments."
Shop the Best Ice Face Masks
You might achieve similar results by using a regular piece of ice on your face, these coveted masks won't melt away, unlike what's in your fridge, and may even provide a more comforting feeling on the skin. From Skin Gym's reusable and freezer-ready mask to cooling sheet, gel, and even LED mask picks, like Shark Beauty's CryoGlow Cooling and LED Face Mask, we've count these favorites among the best ice face masks worth shopping. Scroll on for more on our top de-puffing and skin-refreshing essentials that professionals and beauty enthusiasts are raving about.
Pros
- Great for reducing puffiness and dark circles
- Comes as a set of five
Cons
- Some reviewers say the mask is not ideal for sensitive skin
This luxe gel sheet mask is inspired by cryotherapy and uses a powerful cocktail of caffeine, enzymes, and peptides to energize the skin and reduce puffiness. After 20 minutes of wear, your skin will seamlessly look brighter and more refreshed.
- Key ingredients: Caffeine, enzymes, peptides
Customer review: "This mask comes with me wherever I go whether it’s for work trips or leisure." —Wanessa M.
Pros
- Includes adjustable head straps
Cons
- Design may not fit all faces well
For mornings when you need an extra jolt to wake up, this reusable Skin Gym mask is perfect. Place it in the freezer fabric side down or in the fridge bead side down for less intensity. And as a bonus, the mask's gel beads nicely provide massage and sculpting benefits.
Customer review: "Finally something that reduces the luggage under my eyes! As a matter of fact, when I wear this my whole face is considerably less puffy, and the cold feels so great on my face. I love it!" —Tiffini
Pros
- Customizable
Cons
- Over $300
Bazaar editors understand the acne- and fine-line-reducing power of the best LED masks, and this option from Shark Beauty takes it a step further with built-in cryotherapy technology. Included in its four built-in treatments is a five to 15-minute temperature-controlled experience that helps soothe and tighten under eyes with the press of a button.
Pros
- Has a five-star rating at Ulta
- Features 80 pads
Cons
- Not ideal for those looking for a traditional mask
Instead of a single piece that covers your entire face, these ultra-thin and concentrated mask pads from the K-Beauty experts at Peach & Lily make it a breeze to target specific areas to de-puff. They're saturated with glacial water, apple mint extract, and aloe for instant cool on contact.
- Key ingredients: Glacial water, apple mint extract, and aloe
Customer review: "Used these last night for the first time when experiencing unexpected irritation after dermaplaning. I had placed ice packs on my cheeks and chin with no relief, so took a chance. These worked so well I fell asleep sitting up! Looking forward to having these around." —Brandi
Pros
- Contains vitamin C for extra brightening benefits
Cons
If you consider yourself a sheet mask devotee, Patchology's Iced Cooling and Firming Hydrogel Mask should be right up your alley. It nicely cools on contact, along with firming and brightening skin thanks to its blend of cloudberry oil, bakuchiol, and vitamin C. We recommend storing them in the freezer for an even more invigorating skincare experience.
- Key ingredients: Cloudberry oil, vitamin C, bakuchiol, peptides
Customer review: "These feel cool and comfortable while wearing and leave skin refreshed!" —Melissa L.
Pros
- Contains plumping hyaluronic acid
Cons
- Features a single mask
Here's a best-selling cryo mask that's especially ideal for dry skin. "Of all Dr. Jart's ultra-soothing face masks, this sheet mask is by far my favorite," Sam Peters, Hearst senior fashion and luxury commerce editor explains. "It comes with a highly concentrated ampoule of hyaluronic acid, which you apply first, and a rubbery sheet mask to layer on top and lock in all the moisture. The powerful duo feels like a soothing ice bath for my face from the moment I apply it, and after leaving it on for 30 minutes, my skin is noticeably softer and less irritated." According to its clinical trials, the staple reduces the skin's temperature by a full 11 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, glycerin
Customer review: "Great value for the money! The Cryo mask series by Dr. Jart are my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE! Even better deal when they are on sale. Very comfortable and relaxing masks. I highly recommend." —Emily D.
Pros
- Great for dry skin
Cons
- Over $60
Clarins's Cryo-Flash mask is powered by the ingredient M.G.A.—a menthol derivative—to cool skin, along with primrose oil for extra nourishment. Since each treatment only lasts for 10 minutes, we recommend using it before makeup application for extra radiance and hydration.
- Key ingredients: Menthol, primrose oil, quinoa extract
Customer review: "The upside of this product is it is incredibly soothing and definitely leaves your skin feeling hydrated. It promises to be cooling and yes, it definitely is. If you're naturally warm, in hot weather, or just want to literally cool your temperature down, this is a terrific choice." —Anonymous
Pros
- Easy to use
- Ideal for acne-prone and sensitive skin
Cons
- Over $60
Though not technically a face mask, these highly efficacious toner pads from Sofie Pavitt Face can be applied all over for similar results. And not only do they help soothe and de-puff skin after they're frozen overnight, but the pods are also fragrance-free and ideal for acne-prone skin.
- Key ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, green tea extract
Customer review: "A very innovative product! These toner pods are pre-portioned and perfect for soothing and refreshing your skin. I put them in the freezer for a few hours before using them, and the cooling effect is everything—it's like a mini spa session for my face." —Anonymous
Cool Cream Smoothing Mask With Electric Daisy
Pros
- Celebrity-approved
- Customizable
Cons
This popular mask is a hit among beauty lovers for its skin smoothing and cooling benefits. Plus, its electric daisy, linseed extract, and arnica formula is extremely versatile, as it can be used in 15-minute treatments for a quick refresh, or overnight for a no-brainer hydrating experience.
- Key ingredients: Electric daisy, linseed extract, arnica, Hyaluroset complex
Customer review: "I have Rosacea meaning my skin is very sensitive to perfume products and is red constantly. I've found this product by Kate and Scarlett has made my rosacea calm down. It feels cool to touch after using this product and after a couple of hours after applying my face looks normal with a blush instead of red flare. Thank you for creating something so gentle and calm for our skin." —Rose
Cold Plasma+ The Intensive Gel Mask
Pros
- Great for hydration
- Top-rated at Nordstrom
Cons
If you're a serious skincare lover, chances are you're familiar with Perricone MD's holy grail Cold Plasma+ collection, which includes this top-rated cooling gel mask. It contains a proprietary liquid crystal delivery system for faster absorption of its ingredients, which include peptides, Omegas 3, 6, and 9, plus, phospholipids.
- Key ingredients: Peptides, Omegas 3, 6 and 9, phospholipids
Customer review: "I like a full routine, and this mask works well with my other products. The results are instant, but I noticed my skin looks better the day after using it." —Alexa R.
Pros
- Great for dry skin
Cons
- Nearly $100
This luxe pick from iS Clinical is a great option for dry and sensitive skin. It uses natural botanical antioxidants like soothing centella asiatica and aloe vera, plus, plumping hyaluronic acid, green tea, and more to refresh dull skin while boosting hydration.
- Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, green tea, rosemary extracts, resveratrol
Meet the experts
- Dr. Karan Lal, D.O., F.A.A.D., is a double-board certified pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist based in Scottsdale.
- Sofie Pavitt is an esthetician, acne specialist, and the founder of Sofie Pavitt Face.
Do ice face masks have anti-aging benefits?
Along with de-puffing and irritation-reducing benefits, some of the best ice face masks also include ingredients like caffeine and vitamin C to enhance radiance while firming skin. And according to dermatologist Karan Lal, existing data suggests cooling the skin can also help stimulate collagen production.
How often should you use an ice face mask?
"I especially like this type of treatment for patients that have rosacea," notes Dr. Lal. "This can be done every single day if a patient wants. Place the cooling ice mask in the freezer then on your skin for a couple of minutes at a time."
How can I safely apply the best ice face masks?
"Some people are more sensitive to the cold than others," says Pavitt. "If applying ice directly to the skin feels too intense, I recommend wrapping it in a little gauze or sandwich between two cotton rounds for a less extreme experience. However, many clients love it applied directly to their skin in our facial treatments."
"Make sure you keep the ice moving on your skin," she adds. "You don’t want to hold it in one place on the skin; you can run the risk of a freeze burn. One to two minutes in circular motions all over the face, neck, and chest is ideal." If you are using a freezable face mask and are sensitive to the cold, try taking it out of the freezer ten minutes before application to let it warm up a touch.
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