How to Use Cryo-Facial Tools: I Used These Tips and Had Instantly Glowier Skin (2025)

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Original image by Catharine Malzahn

If you’ve been waking up and feel like your face is looking puffy, learning how to use cryo-facial tools at home could be a game-changing step in your morning skin care routine. After only a few minutes of using these cooling tools, for example, I noticed that my face immediately de-puffed. (Seriously, I couldn’t believe the results after just one use.)

At-home cryo-facial tools are inspired by cryotherapy, which “involves harnessing cold temperatures in contact with skin as a way to treat various dermatological concerns,” says Alicia Zalka, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University, and the founder of Surface Deep. “The temperature and duration of cryotherapy in contact with the skin surface determines how strong and penetrating the treatment will be.”

At-home tools are less intense than their in-office counterparts while still focusing on benefits like de-puffing, soothing redness, and lifting the skin. From ice globes to ice rollers to even frozen toner pods, there are plenty of options for all your skin-soothing needs.

Ahead, we get the lowdown from Dr. Zalka as well as Kristyn Smith, esthetician and founder of Practise NYC, to find out everything you need to know about how to use cryo-facial tools at home, the benefits of cryotherapy, and the best at-home cryo tools to get the job done. Plus, I tried a variety of the tools myself and share exactly how it went.

The best at-home cryo-facial tools, at a glance

• Best Kit: 111Skin Cryo Sculpting Kit, $135

• Best Ice Roller: The Skinny Confidential Ice Roller, $79

• Best Ice Globes: Sonage Baby Frioz Ice Globes, $54

• Best Cryo Face Mask: Dr. Jart+ Cryo Rubber Firming Face Mask, $16

What is cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy refers to in-office treatments that are common at dermatologists’ offices. They “use subfreezing cryotherapy afforded by liquid nitrogen(-320.8°F), which can be used to remove growths from the skin and even as a method to treat superficial precancerous lesions,” says Dr. Zalka. “In my office, when I use cryotherapy for direct treatment to remove things like warts and other growths, the subfreezing cold is kept in contact for a period of time on a specificsite.”

These ultracold treatments are available only professionally: “When employing such ultra-freezing, strong methods of cryotherapy, great caution and user experience is key to avoid causingdeep skin damageand even scarring,” says Dr. Zalka. “This is why such professional devices are not readily availablefor home use.”

The Best Ice Globes and Cryotherapy Tools to Depuff and Soothe Skin

Dermstore Collection Set of Two Ice Globes

$30.00, Dermstore

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Fraîcheur Ice Globes Massager

$69.00, Fraîcheur Paris

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Joy Glow Labs Facial Ice Globes

$18.00, Amazon

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Allegra M. France Baby Magic Globes

$32.00, Amazon

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KiraMoon Moon Globes Freezable Facial Massagers

$42.00, ASOS

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Fourth Ray Beauty Cooling Facial Globes

$22.00, Colourpop

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BeautyBio Cryo Skin Icing Dual-Ended Roller

$85.00, Nordstrom

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Sonia Kashuk Facial Ice Roller

$10.00, Target

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Flawless by Finishing Touch Flawless Ice Roller

$10.00, Amazon

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Vanity Planet Face & Body Ice Roller

$15.00, Target

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StackedSkincare Cryo Sculpting Roller

$75.00, StackedSkincare

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Michael Todd Beauty Sonic Sculpt Sonic Facial Contouring Ice & Heat Roller

$69.00, Verishop

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Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Lifting Face Mask

$55.00, Nordstrom

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Angela Caglia Gold Cryo Facial Set

$125.00, Violet Grey

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Jenny Patinkin Cryo Glow Globes

$70.00, Dermstore

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Georgia Louise Cryo Freeze Tools

$130.00, Violet Grey

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Velvette Ice Globes Facial Tool Set

$40.00, Amazon

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Nurse Jamie Super-Cryo Massaging Orb

$50.00, Amazon

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Houdini Ice Sphere Tray

$12.00, Target

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What are at-home cryotherapy-facial tools?

At-home cryotherapy, while still very cold, is much milder than the liquid nitrogen used at the doctor’s office. At-home cryo-facial tools are items like ice globes, cryotherapy masks, ice rollers, or ice-massage sticks, and they typically start in the refrigerator or freezer to get that satisfying cooling effect. “Home application relies mostly on rolling a cold applicator on the skin or using cool masks and other devices, but not at subfreezing temperatures,” says Dr. Zalka.

And unlike in-office cryotherapy, which focuses on specific targeted areas, “rollers and globes tend to have smooth and friction-free surfaces or applicators to allow for use on wide swaths of the skin surface, making it more of an all-over superficial treatment that does not penetrate to deeper tissues,” says Dr. Zalka. The good news for all of us: This also means “a nonprofessional can do in the comfort of their own home,” she says.

Immediately after removing your go-to tool from the fridge or freezer, you can “place the product on the skin, usually over a serum or cream (or the applicator is in the form of a gel or silicone mask) to allow a gentle glide of cold on the skin instead of direct freeze on bare skin,” says Dr. Zalka. “The cold, much like you would find from using an ice pack on a wound, can offer a way to reduce inflammation.”

There are plenty of cryo-facial tools out there, but if you’re in a pinch, you can grab an ice cube from the freezer, wrap it in a towel or paper towel, and rub it all over your skin to get a similar effect. Or, to de-puff eyes, you can put a metal spoon in the freezer (30 seconds to a few minutes will do the trick—it’s that fast!) and place it on your undereyes.

What are the benefits of using at-home cryo-facial tools?

There is a plethora of benefits to using at-home cryo-facial tools, which is likely why they’re so popular. “The cold temperatures also temporarily tighten the skin and may even appear to lift the skin,” says Dr. Zalka. However, “this is temporary and as the skin warmsup, most, if not all, of those changes are lost.”

As for the most common benefits, “I love these tools for calming the skin and reducing puffiness,” says Smith. According to Dr. Zalka, they can also help temporarily reduce signs of redness and uneven texture on inflamed acne-prone skin, calm skin post-laser or post-peel, de-puff eyes, help soothe sunburn, cool and refresh skin after a hot and humid day, massage serums deeply into the skin, and even just provide relaxation.

9 Best Face Rollers for Reducing Puffiness, Recommended by Editors

Lanshin Lady Nephrite Gua Sha Beginner Tool

$69.00, Lanshin

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Herbivore Jade Facial Roller

$30.00, Nordstrom

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Dermstore Collection Set of Two Ice Globes

$18.00, Dermstore

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Pause Well-Aging Fascia Stimulating Tool

$115.00, Nordstrom

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Jillian Dempsey Gold Sculpting Bar

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Skin Gym Face Sculptor

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Sarah Chapman Skinesis The Facialift

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Bfasu Ice Roller

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Daily Habits Green Jade Gua Sha Stone

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Are there any side effects of using at-home cryo-facial tools?

“Overall, the cryotherapy home treatments I am aware of are quite safe,” says Dr. Zalka. However, it’s important to use these tools the right way. “One word of caution is to be careful not to fall asleep while applying cryotherapy, as leaving it in place on a single area for an extended period of time could cause a freeze burn on the skin,” she says. For example, “if you place an ice cube directly on the skin, it will stick and likely cause some localized damage if done for too long.” Side effects may vary by the type of device and how you use it, so following directions provided by the brand is key.

“Recently, a client of mine experienced post-inflammatory pigmentation after using a frozen cryo tool incorrectly—proving that, while these tools are effective, they aren’t risk-free,” adds Smith. “This is especially important to consider for clients with deeper skin tones, who may be more prone to pigmentation changes from cold burns. Proper technique and temperature control are critical.” Talk to your doctor or skin care expert before use to ensure it’s safe on your skin.

If you’re new to at-home cryo tools or concerned about how cold they may be, Dr. Zalka also recommends “testing the temperature by using cold from the refrigerator first before choosing to use a productfrom the freezer to see how your skin reacts. Start with a test area first on your wrist or in front of your ear before using the treatment all over the face for the first time.”

Is there anyone who should avoid using these? Dr. Zalka says those with the following conditions or concerns might wish to speak with a dermatologist before embarking on home cryotherapy: pigmentary problems, Raynaud’s syndrome/Raynaud’s phenomenon, cryoglobulinemia, flushing, cold urticaria, or pernio/chilblains/frostbite.

How do you use at-home cryo-facial tools?

Wondering how to use ice globes? Smith breaks down exactly how to use the at-home cryo-facial tools for the best results. “Keep the globes moving continuously to avoid overstimulation or surface trauma,” she says. Below, her steps for a successful at-home cryo-facial experience:

• Step 1: Store the globes in the refrigerator—not the freezer—to achieve a safe, cooling temperature.

• Step 2: Apply a hydrating serum, mask, face oil, or other slippery product to the face to allow smooth movement and protect the skin.

• Step 3: Start at the center of the forehead, gliding outward toward the temples using light pressure.

• Step 4: Move the globes under the eyes toward the ears, then from the cheeks toward the hairline, always working outward.

• Step 5: You may pause briefly over areas of puffiness or heat (like undereyes or breakouts) for a few seconds to spot-treat.

“I also do like ice rollers, ice-massage sticks, and the Therabody TheraFace Depuffing Wand, which provides consistent, regulated cooling without refrigeration, making it a safer choice for pigmentation-prone skin and ideal for spot-treating puffiness,” says Smith.

When using ice rollers and ice-massage sticks, she recommends the same technique as outlined above, just slightly adjusting for the shape and function of each tool. “Ice rollers are ideal for larger surface areas or quicker treatments,” she says, while ice-massage sticks “work well for slow, targeted lifting along the jawline or cheekbones.”

Therabody TheraFace Depuffing Wand

$170.00, Amazon

ESW Beauty Ice Globes

$15.00, ESW Beauty

My review on using at-home cryo-facial tools

During some of my favorite facials, the esthetician incorporates cooled ice globes to de-puff and energize my skin, also reducing redness and boosting glowiness. But even though I was already a fan, I didn’t really use any at home. After testing a slew of cooling skin care products, however, I’ve gotta be honest: I’ve added some to my everyday morning routine. I even travel with my Sonage Baby Frioz Mini Icy Globes (the little size is so travel-friendly!) and pop them in the fridge so I can always de-puff. (If you’re in a hotel without a mini fridge, you can also place them in an ice bucket for the same effect.)

My skin looks way healthier after my three- to five-minute cryo-facial-tool routine. Not only am I less puffy, but my skin looks glowier, less red, and overall just way more vitalized. Not to mention, it’s also so relaxing and a great way to start the day. I love that this is such a quick yet effective addition to my morning; I wake up with a lot of puffiness, especially around my eyes, when I’m up early. I saw the biggest change in undereye puffiness when I used the 111Skin Cryo Sculpting Kit, and though you can also buy cryo masks individually, I definitely recommend using ice globes or massage sticks in combination, as well, for maximum results.

Shop some of our favorite at-home cryo-facial tools here:

The Skinny Confidential Hot Mess Ice Roller

$69.00, Nordstrom

Skin Gym Cryo-Ice Massage Sticks

$49.00, Amazon

Sonage Baby Frioz Facial Ice Globes

$54.00, Amazon

Sofie Pavitt Face Nice Ice Frozen Toner Pods

$48.00, Sephora

111Skin Cryo Sculpting Kit

$135.00, 111Skin

Dr. Jart+ Cryo Rubber Firming Face Mask

$16.00, Sephora

Catharine Malzahn is the contributing associate beauty editor at Glamour.

Originally Appeared on Glamour