Skin Icing: A Trend with Risks – What You Should Know About Using Water

Skin icing is currently one of the hottest (or coldest) beauty trends on social media and in the world of skincare. Whether on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube – everywhere you look, you see glowing faces being treated with ice cubes, frozen tools, or cryo-sticks. The idea behind it is simple and tempting: the cold is supposed to refine pores, tighten the skin, reduce puffiness, and even help with acne. And indeed, in the short term, skin icing can have exactly this effect – the skin appears fresher, plumper, and clearer.

However, as much as the hype is growing, there is little discussion about the potential risks that arise, particularly when the skin is treated with frozen tap or drinking water. What may seem like a natural and harmless beauty ritual at first glance can do more harm than good with regular use – especially due to impurities in the water, limescale deposits, and a pH level unsuitable for the skin.

What exactly is skin icing?

"Skin icing" refers to the application of ice in the form of ice cubes, ice water, or facial ice cubes. The cooling effect is intended to stimulate blood circulation, "close" pores, soothe inflammation, and overall provide a more awake and healthier complexion. Morning facial massages using ice cubes or specialized facial ice cubes are particularly popular – sometimes used pure, sometimes with frozen serums or teas.

However, what many fail to consider is that water on the skin in this form can be a major problem.

The invisible danger: Impurities in tap water

While tap water in Germany is considered drinkable and is strictly controlled, "drinkable" does not automatically mean "skin-friendly." Tap water often contains:

• Limescale (hard water) – can dry out the skin and damage the skin barrier

• Heavy metals from old pipes

• Microorganisms and bacteria that can accumulate in the ice if handled improperly

• Chlorine residues or residues from cleaning agents used in water treatment

These substances do not disappear when water is frozen. They are preserved in the ice and reach sensitive skin layers again upon direct contact. Especially for skin that is already irritated, sensitive, or prone to blemishes, this can lead to irritation, impurities, and, in the long term, a deterioration of the complexion.

pH level: The silent skin stressor

Furthermore, the pH level of water is not suitable for skincare. The skin has a natural protective layer, the so-called hydrolipid film, with a slightly acidic pH of about 4.5 to 5.5. This is crucial for a healthy skin barrier, maintaining the balance of the microflora, and protecting against external influences such as germs, environmental pollutants, and moisture loss.

• Tap water, on the other hand, usually has a pH between 6.5 and 8.5, meaning it is neutral to slightly alkaline.

• Drinking water (mineral water) can even be between 7.5 and 9.5, making it significantly more alkaline.

What does this mean for the skin?

Contact with alkaline water disrupts the natural acid mantle, which weakens the skin barrier and increases the risk of irritation, dryness, and blemishes. If this process is regularly repeated through daily skin icing with frozen tap or drinking water, it can lead to a long-term deterioration of the skin's appearance in sensitive, dry, or acne-prone skin. But even unproblematic skin can be negatively affected, thrown out of balance, become dehydrated, or develop blemishes and premature aging due to a compromised skin barrier.

A pH level that is too high can additionally:

• Impair the effectiveness of added active ingredients

• Damage the skin barrier

• Disrupt the (microbiome) balance of the skin

Even if the highest-quality serums are added, the water impairs their effect before they can even penetrate the skin.

Dead ends: Why "water enriched with active ingredients" is also not a solution

Some users turn to supposedly "more advanced" alternatives, freezing water enriched with serums, special active ingredient products, hydrolats, or toners rather than pure tap or drinking water, in the hope of combining care and cooling. But this method also offers no benefits for the skin. On the contrary: it can even be counterproductive.

This is because most serums or care essences are formulated for application at room temperature – their stability and effectiveness suffer significantly from freezing. Furthermore, in most cases, these are highly diluted mixtures where:

• The active ingredient content drops significantly

• The pH levels rise into a range that is not skin-friendly

• No targeted care effect is achieved anymore

Freezing and diluting the serums has the exact opposite effect: the pH level of such frozen mixed solutions is often above 7.0, which is well outside the skin-physiological range. Here, too, the skin's acid mantle is disrupted, and no lasting care effect is achieved.

Serums or care essences advertised for skin icing – diluted with water – that can also be applied purely contradict themselves. Either the product must be highly concentrated and formulated exactly for dilution with a specific amount of water, or it must be tailored in terms of active ingredient concentration, overall formulation, and pH level for pure application; both cannot work. Either the pure application poses a risk of overdose and an overly acidic environment, or the essence remains ineffective after being diluted with water.

Study-based effectiveness: The advantage of Love it Pure Cryo Treatments

The effect of Love it Pure Cryo Treatments is based on comprehensive, scientifically sound in-vivo studies concerning the entire treatment, as well as the Cryo-Elixirs and their application. These studies were conducted independently and offer reliable results regarding effectiveness.

In comparison, many other companies work only with user surveys or studies on individual ingredients. However, these studies do not prove the effect of the entire product, especially not in combination with water or when frozen. It is crucial that the formulation and application of the product are examined in their entirety to understand the actual effectiveness.

The results of the Love it Pure Cryo Treatment studies are impressive:

• Reduction in wrinkle depth by up to 60 %*

• 82 % fewer blemishes after 28 days*

• 38 % reduction in cellulite within just 28 days**

• Increase in skin hydration by 35 % within 28 days**

*In-vivo study, 28 days, 27 participants; **In-vivo study, 28 days of application, 25 participants

Conclusion: Love it Pure is not skin icing

In conclusion, Love it Pure is not skin icing. Love it Pure's Cryo-Elixirs were developed specifically for cryotherapy, with a formulation perfectly tailored for use at low temperatures. The effectiveness of the Cryo Treatment is scientifically proven, and the elixirs are not designed for contact with water or dilution. Unlike DIY variants, where serums are diluted or combined with water, the Love it Pure Cryo-Elixir remains in its original, stable formulation and is filled entirely into the Cryoball. No drop of water, no rapid melting as with water – the specially developed consistency ensures a precise and long-lasting effect that avoids the risk of skin irritation and barrier damage. For maximum efficacy and optimal results. Also safe for use on sensitive skin.

Skin icing may be a trend, but to achieve the best possible results from cryotherapy, it is crucial to rely on specially developed products that are not only skin-friendly but also scientifically sound. Love it Pure offers exactly that.