The Skin-Care Benefits of Ice-Rolling, Explained

You’ve seen the roll-and-go tools all over Instagram, but what exactly do ice rollers do for the skin?

Designed to be chilled to deliver a cooling, tightening effect to the skin, the simple, hand-held tool is best known for its ability to quickly de-puff a tired complexion. But as skin experts explain, the trending tool offers a host of other legitimate skin-care benefits, too.

What are the benefits of ice-rolling?

“Ice rollers stimulate the lymphatic system and massage the face to get rid of puffiness and toxins, stimulate blood flow and reduce muscle tension,” explains Miami dermatologist Annie Gonzalez, MD. “Anything ‘cryo’ is anti-inflammatory, meaning it will slow the effects of aging, speed up healing and can stimulate collagen production,” says celebrity esthetician Joanna Czech.

Even better, the cooling action of the tool also allows for a refreshed, brighter-looking appearance. “Ice rollers may also help constrict blood vessels, thus decreasing inflammation and reducing the appearance of broken capillaries,” adds Dr. Gonzalez.

How do you use an ice roller?

Begin from the center of your face and use upward, outward strokes to roll the tool along the skin, making sure to apply just enough pressure to massage the skin, as using too much pressure can cause irritation. To de-puff the under-eyes, gently roll the tool along the area, applying little to no pressure.

When is the best time to use an ice roller?

Barring a couple of exceptions—more on that below—you can ice roll whenever you’d like. According to Czech, reaching for your ice roller as the last step of your skin-care routine is always a good idea. “I recommend using your ice roller to help spread products to all areas of your face,” also suggests Dr. Gonzalez. “For example, you can apply a moisturizer or serum to your face and then use your ice roller to spread the product to your under eyes, forehead, temples, cheeks, etc. Massaging the face with your ice roller can help the topical product absorb into the skin.”

Can you use an ice roller after injections?

Dr. Gonzalez instructs putting down the ice roller for a few weeks post-injection or after any invasive in-office treatment. “You should not use an ice roller after injections or filler because the facial roller can allow the product to spread into unwanted areas,” explains Dr. Gonzalez. Likewise, ice-rolling should be avoided after any surgery that leaves a wound because if healing tissue is moved, scarring could be worsened.

How do you clean an ice roller?

To ensure your roller isn’t harboring any bacteria, be sure to give it a quick wipe down with a cotton pad soaked in rubbing alcohol or with mild soap and water after each use. Before popping it back in the freezer or fridge to chill, place it in a separate bag or container to keep it free from contamination.

What is the best ice roller? 1 / 5

Best for: Lymphatic drainage

The Skinny Confidential Hot Mess Ice Roller ($69) 

This chic, all-aluminum roller features a larger surface area than most and a sturdy handle to make applying de-puffing pressure to the face, neck and body easier than ever. 

2 / 5

Best for: Draining Puffiness

Aceology Ice Globe Facial Massager ($64) 

These quick-freezing globes are a must for early mornings and fit perfectly underneath the eyes and temples to relieve tension and puffiness. Pro tip: Stash these in the fridge, not the freezer. 

3 / 5

Best For: Under-Eye Puffiness

Tarte Sea Cryo Cool Tool ($15)

This fun-sized roller is perfect for cooling away stubborn puffiness under the eyes. Because it’s so small, it’s easy to pack away when traveling, too.

4 / 5

Best for: Rolling on a budget

Esarora Ice Roller ($13)

12,000 positive Amazon reviews can’t be wrong. If you’re looking to try out the trend before investing in a higher-end tool, this is for you.

5 / 5

Best for: Hard-to-reach areas

BeautyBio Cryo Skin Icing Dual-Ended Roller ($85)

This double-sided option is ideal for use on both face and body. Because its stainless-steel rollers are naturally cold on their own, you can stash it on your vanity for quick access (though chilling it will boost your results).

It's Personal

At NewBeauty, we get the most trusted information from the beauty authority delivered right to your inbox

hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: "8806970", formId: "a8aef9b2-6178-4dad-9e2a-98b7661febc2" }); Find a Doctor

Find a NewBeauty "Top Beauty Doctor" Near you

Select a state State AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC FL GA HI IA IL IN KY LA MA MD MI MN MO NC NE NJ NV NY OH OR PA SC TN TX UT VA WA WI Select a state Specialty Cosmetic Dentist Dermatologist Facial Plastic Surgeon Hair Restoration Specialist Oculoplastic Surgeon Periodontist Plastic Surgeon Prosthodontist Vein Specialist Select a state Treatment Abdominal thread lifts Accent your Body Acne Treatments Alexandrite Laser Arm Lift Asclera Bellafill Belotero Blue Light Body Body Lift Botox Botox Browlift Brachioplasty Brazilian Butt Lift Breast Augmentation Breast Augmentation with Fat Grafting Breast Implants Breast Implants with Saline Breast Implants with Silicone Breast Lift Breast Lift with Implants Breast Reconstruction Breast Reduction Browlift Butt Enhancement Carboxytherapy Cellulite Treatment Cheek Augmentation Cheek Augmentation with Fat Grafting Cheek Implants Cheek Lift Chemical Peels Chin Augmentation CO2 lasers Cool Lipo CoolSculpting CoolTone Crowns Dental Bonding Dental Implants Dimpleplasty Diode Laser Dysport embrace Active Scar Defense Emsculpt Endermologie Endoscopic Browlift Endoscopic Facelift Endoscopic Tummy Tuck Erbium Lasers Exilis Ultra 360 Eyelift Eyelift with Fat Grafting Face Facelift Facelift with Fat Grafting FaceTite Fat Melters and Fat Reducers Fat Transfer Forma Fractional CO2 lasers Fractional Resurfacing Lasers Fractora Glycolic Peels Glytone Enhanced Brightening Cream Gum Dermabrasion Gum Lift Hair Hair Removal Hair Transplant Hair-Loss Treatment Injectables & Fillers for Cheek Augmentation Injectables & Fillers for Eyelift Injectables & Fillers for Lip Enhancement Injectables And Fillers Injectables and Fillers with Fat Grafting Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Invisalign Isolaz Juvéderm Juvéderm Volbella Juvéderm Voluma Kybella Lactic Acid Peels Laser Liposuction Lasers Lateral Tension Tummy Tuck Limited Incision Facelift Lip Enhancement Lip Enhancement with Fat Grafting Lip Implant Lip Lift Liposculpture Liposuction Liquid Facelift Long Pulsed N: Yag laser Lower Blepharoplasty Lower Body Lift Lower eyelid surgery Lower Facelift MACS Lift Mandelic Peels Microdermabrasion Microinjection Microneedling Microwave Laser Treatment Mini Tummy Tuck Mini-Facelift Mommy Makeover Nd: Yag Neck Liposuction Necklift Nonsurgical Facelift Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty Obagi Blue Peel Otoplasty Perlane Phenol Peels Photobiomodulation Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Photofacial PiQo4 Plasma Resurfacing Lasers Power Assisted Liposuction Prevelle Pulsed Dye Radiesse Radio Frequency with Microneedling Radio Frequency-Assisted Lipolysis Red Light Restylane Restylane Defyne Restylane Lyft Restylane Refyne Restylane Silk Revision Rhinoplasty Rhinoplasty Salicylic Peels SculpSure Sculptra Aesthetic Selphyl Silhouette Instalift Skin Skin Tighteners Skin Treatments Slim Lipo Smart Lipo SMAS facelift Smile Smile Makeover Smoothshapes Straightening Stretch Mark Treatments TCA Chemical Peels Teeth Whitening Thermage ThermiTight Thigh Lift Titan Tooth Contouring Traditional Facelift Tumescent Liposuction Tummy Tuck Ulthera Ultherapy Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction Umbilicoplasty Upper Blepharoplasty Upper eyelid surgery Vanquish ME VASER Lipo Vein Treatments Velashape Velasmooth Veneers Xeomin Search