In Good Health // The benefits of ice baths and FIR saunas for your skin

Extreme temperature skincare solutions – they’ve been a hot topic recently.

Likely, you’ll have read about the benefits of ice baths in boosting performance, enhancing sleep, aiding athletic recovery. And at the other end of the spectrum, far infrared saunas. Both are gaining traction as hacks that boast not just an immediate effect but more sustained benefits too; refreshing in the short term, and enhancing tone further down the line.

But can freezing or sweating really make much of a difference to our skin?

Skin is the biggest organ in the body, and let’s be honest, the one we tend to have most concerns about. People have been doing pretty much whatever it takes to make their skin beautiful (and supple, glowing, dewy, youthful, glass-like…) since time immemorial. Now, though, in the most technically advanced era of skincare, people are seeking out methods of skin care - for health, and for beauty - that are as natural as they are effective. We’re seeing the trend move away from using product after product to cover up and alter our appearance. Now, it’s all about looking like yourself - but better.

So even if you’re familiar with the usual uses of ice baths, ice facials, and far infrared saunas read on: you might be surprised at not only their benefits for skin, but also by the wealth of research backing this up. We’ll give you the documented, science-backed data on how deep heat and freezing baths can give you that inner (and outer) glow.

Face it: Cold water works

Ice facials, a beauty treatment involving immersing your face in ice-cold water, went TikTok viral when celebs Gigi Hadid and Kate Hudson told the online world they’re huge fans of this morning ritual. Like many facets of ice baths, this is one that’s been traditionally known for millennia, and just recently backed up by science. It’s a simple yet effective technique that can significantly reduce puffiness and swelling by constricting blood vessels, tightening the skin and giving it a firmer, more toned appearance. The cold water improves circulation, providing your skin with a natural glow. And for those with sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea, ice facials can soothe irritation and reduce redness.

Ice Baths: A full body facial?

While ice baths are well-known for muscle recovery, their benefits for skin health are just as impressive. Cold water immersion enhances blood flow, and that speeds up the delivery of essential nutrients and oxygen to the skin, while flushing out toxins. And that leads to a healthier and more radiant complexion overall. Regular ice baths also stimulate the production of antioxidants like glutathione, which is another buzzworthy skin-loving substance; it combats oxidative stress and promotes skin health. And just like the ice facial, ice baths can reduce inflammation and redness, but head to toe.

Far Infrared Saunas for deep skin detox

The science-elevated version of the traditional sauna, far infrared saunas penetrate the skin more deeply than regular ones, and offer an even wider range of skin benefits as a result. The deep heating induces sweating, which helps detoxify the skin by flushing out impurities and heavy metals. Skin clarity improves, and breakouts and blemishes become far less common.

The increased circulation from the heat also enhances skin tone and texture, giving you a more youthful and healthy appearance. And the crucial difference: regular use of far infrared saunas can stimulate collagen production. As you’ll know, that’s crucial for maintaining skin elasticity and reducing wrinkles, and it sets the FIR sauna apart in terms of effective, longer-term skin benefits​. In short, far infrared saunas are a perfect marriage of traditional wellness wisdom and technical innovation - and they work.

Heat and cold: a hot combination for your skin

Spectrum-wise, we’ve looked at cold and we’ve looked at hot. Both great options, but combining ice baths or facials with far infrared saunas can create an even more powerful skin health regimen. Start with an ice facial or ice bath to tighten the skin and reduce inflammation. 

Follow it up with a session in the far infrared sauna to detoxify and boost circulation. This combo can significantly enhance your skin’s overall health and appearance.

Better go bare: the dangers of topical products

A word about your skincare products. While it’s always super important to be cautious about what you use topically, that’s especially true when incorporating heat and cold therapies. Skin creams laden with certain chemicals can become more potent - and potentially harmful - when exposed to the skin’s increased permeability during saunas and ice baths. Chemicals like phthalates can act as transdermal agents, meaning they enter your bloodstream through the skin, which could cause toxic stress. Opt for natural and clean skincare products to avoid these risks and maximise the benefits of your skin wellness routine.

Incorporating ice facials, ice baths, and far infrared saunas into your skincare routine can offer a holistic approach to achieving radiant and healthy skin. They’re a great alternative to layers of product, and with so many other benefits from metabolism to better sleep, what are you waiting for? Let’s get glowing.

// Joe Hanney, co-founder of Recovery On Demand, a rental company for ice baths and far infrared saunas.