I Applied a Bella Hadid- and Hailey Bieber-Inspired Ice Bath Facial Daily for Two Weeks—The Results Speak for Themselves

      There I was, mentally drifting away at Jess Bowers's facial studio, a private, speakeasy-like haven in the West Village. After my much-anticipated hour with the aesthetician—which felt utterly dreamy—I chatted with Bowers about the products and treatments she’s currently enthusiastic about. Her response? A gentle exfoliating jelly (which I promptly added to my cart) and a straightforward at-home technique that doesn’t involve any fancy tools. “Honestly, ice bath facials will completely transform your skin,” she advised. “Try it for two weeks, and you won’t even believe the results.” It was as if she had tapped into a trend, as I noticed at-home ice bath facials everywhere. They were highlighted in Hailey Bieber's preparations for the Met Gala, featured in Bella Hadid's beauty routine on set, and all over my TikTok feed, prompting me to finally try Bowers's two-week challenge. True to her words, I am amazed by how my skin has responded. Scroll down to see the effects and every detail endorsed by celebrities.

      What Is an Ice Bath Facial? An ice bath facial is just what it sounds like: immersing your face in ice water. It’s akin to a cold plunge, but specifically for your face. Instead of putting on a swimsuit and finding a tub for your entire body, you simply dip your face into a large bowl for a few seconds at a time. It’s quick and relatively straightforward, offering similar skin benefits to a full plunge. (More on that later!)

      To clarify, I am not suggesting that Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber created the ice water facial. Aestheticians and makeup artists have endorsed this practice for years, praising its effectiveness in reducing puffiness and inflammation while tightening the skin. Psychologists have also recognized it as a quick dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) technique due to its natural ability to lower heart rate and provide a calming effect on the body. Additionally, cold water immersion is an age-old practice with roots in various cultures.

      Dipping your face in ice water is by no means a "new" or "trendy" habit, but it has recently gained traction on my TikTok feed as a form of skin preparation, becoming even more popular with each celebrity endorsement. While I have been aware of ice bath facials for quite some time, Hadid, Bieber, and Bowers motivated me to finally give it a shot.

      Bella Hadid doing an ice water facial.

      Benefits for Skin First and foremost, ice water reduces inflammation, redness, and puffiness. It achieves this by activating a process called vasoconstriction, which constricts blood vessels to decrease blood flow and, consequently, swelling. This logic is similar to applying ice to an injury: reducing blood flow generally minimizes inflammation and pain. Even if your face isn’t experiencing acute inflammation, the cold temperature helps alleviate any lingering puffiness. “This can vary based on your diet,” Bowers pointed out. “For example, if you consume a lot of salty foods or alcohol, you may notice quicker results in de-puffing the skin.”

      According to Bowers, the ice bath also tightens pores and brightens the skin as blood circulation improves. “It wakes you up,” she added. Nothing compares to an ice-cold dip to shake off any morning grogginess!

      Jamie Schneider doing an ice water facial.

      How It Works While ice bath facials are designed to be very simple (just dunk and go, right?), a few key details can enhance your results. First is the setup. You’ll need a large mixing bowl (“One that can comfortably fit your whole face,” Bowers suggested), a good amount of ice (two trays should suffice, according to Bowers), and a soft washcloth or towel to dry your face afterward. A headband to keep your hair back might also be helpful if you have longer hair.

      Fill the bowl with ice and add water until it reaches two to three inches from the rim. Slowly immerse your face in the water and hold it there for 10 to 15 seconds. “I count slowly to 10 in my head,” said Bowers. Lift your face out of the bowl, dry off, then repeat the process two to three more times. “However, I space it out over three to five minutes to allow blood flow to recirculate,” Bowers noted. On days when I was pressed for time, I opted for three quick, consecutive immersions, totaling around 60 seconds, but ideally, if you can wait a few minutes between dips for your skin to return to a warmer temperature, that’s best.

      In terms of timing, you can perform an ice bath facial whenever it suits you, but Bowers prefers to do it in the morning. “It’s perfect to reduce puffiness from the food or alcohol consumed the previous night,” she explained. “It’s