By Rachel Hawkins, licensed esthetician, 25+ years · Updated November 2026
Icing is one of the simplest tricks I've used in spas for decades, and it costs almost nothing.
What icing can do
- Smoother-looking skin. Cold tightens and tones the surface for a while.
- Makeup prep. Pores look smaller and foundation goes on smoother.
- Less puffiness. Great on a puffy morning.
- Calms redness. A minute of cold on an angry blemish makes it look less red and swollen.
- A fresh glow. As skin warms back up, circulation returns and you get a healthy flush.
- Better product layering. Cool, calm skin is a nice base for the rest of your routine.
- A moment of calm. It's a 60-second reset.
✨ Ask Rae: Always wrap the ice in a soft cloth and keep it moving, about one minute is plenty.
How to ice safely
- Cleanse first.
- Wrap an ice cube in a soft, clean cloth. Never put bare ice directly on skin for long.
- Glide it in small circles for about one minute. Don't hold it still in one spot.
- Follow with your toner, clarifying step or moisturizer.
- Stop if it feels uncomfortable.
FAQ
How often can I ice? Once a day is plenty.
Is icing safe for sensitive skin? Keep the cloth between the ice and your skin, and keep sessions short.
Want a full routine to go with it? Take the Kage skin quiz.
Ask Rae: take the skin quiz and get matched to the right Kage products for your skin, the same way Rachel would in her treatment room.