If you’re a mom like me, you know that mornings are chaos. Between packing lunches, chasing toddlers, and trying to remember where the heck I put the diaper cream, let’s just say skincare isn’t always a priority. But recently, I kept seeing this new trend all over my feed: people dunking their face into bowls of ice water like it’s the secret to glowing, puff-free skin.

Naturally, I had to try it. (Because who doesn’t want to look less tired than they actually are?)
Does Dunking Your Face in Ice Water Work?
Surprisingly, yes, and not just for waking you up. After just a few days, I noticed my skin felt tighter, my pores looked a bit smaller, and my under-eye bags weren’t quite as dramatic. The cold rush gives you that instant refreshed look, kind of like hitting the reset button on your face. I started doing it every morning, right between sips of coffee and “Mom, where’s my sock?!” chaos.
Beyond the obvious “wake-up call,” cold water immersion helps reduce inflammation, soothes puffiness, and can temporarily boost circulation — which means a brighter, healthier glow without any fancy products. Some dermatologists even suggest that it can calm acne flare-ups and strengthen the skin barrier over time by triggering vasoconstriction (tightening of blood vessels), followed by vasodilation (reopening), which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the skin.
But here’s the honest truth: It’s messy. It’s uncomfortable.
After a few days, my sensitive skin started to feel tight and irritated. While the effects were noticeable, they didn’t last long—usually fading within a couple of hours. I couldn’t help but wonder if there is a smarter, more skin-friendly way to get all these benefits without feeling like I’m torturing myself at 7 a.m.?
The Problem with DIY Cold Plunges
I didn’t realize this at first: while cold water can help tighten pores and reduce puffiness, it also closes them. This means that if you apply skincare right after, your products aren’t absorbing as well as they could.
And don’t even get me started on the downsides if you have:
- Rosacea or sensitive skin: ice plunges can trigger flare-ups.
- Dryness: my face started feeling tight and a little irritated.
- Zero time to spare: the setup and clean-up just isn’t it on a busy morning.
As I mentioned, I have experienced all those drawbacks firsthand. Therefore, I sought a safer and more convenient cold plunge routine.
That’s when I came across a new project called the Frosteam.
Then I Found The Frosteam, And I’m Kinda Obsessed
While searching for a better alternative, I came across the Frosteam, and I was instantly intrigued. It’s this sleek, all-in-one skincare device that basically takes the cold plunge trend and upgrades it into something that actually fits into a mom’s routine.
Here’s what makes it amazing:
- Cold Bath Chamber: Think of it like a gentle cold plunge, without the risk of frostbite or flare-ups.
- Nano-Ionic Steam: Opens your pores before the cold, so your skin is prepped to actually absorb your favorite products.
- Aromatherapy Diffuser: Total spa moment. (I use lavender when the house is chaotic — which is… always.)
It gives you all the glow of the ice water trend, minus the mess, discomfort, and questionable skin side effects.
And Here’s the Really Exciting Part…
Frosteam officially launches on Kickstarter this May 15, and if you’re even a little bit into skincare, this is one you’ll want to jump on before everyone else. Early backers who sign up at thefrosteam.com before launch get $150 off their order, which is kind of incredible considering how powerful (and pretty) this thing is.
Let’s be real: I love a good hack as much as the next mom, but at this stage in life, I want skincare that actually works, and doesn’t involve dunking my head in the same bowl I use to toss salad.
So if you’re tired of chasing viral trends and ready for something that feels smart, effective, and a little luxurious, Frosteam might just be your new skincare sidekick.