Ice cubes have a cooling, soothing and refreshing, effect on our skin and have long been used to rejuvenate and de- stress the skin. Massaging the face with ice cubes not only adds to skin glow, but most importantly promotes blood circulation which is essential to keep the signs of ageing in check.
While we have traditionally been using plain water ice cubes, freezing some fresh herbs with water is a wonderful way to double the beneficial effects of using ice cubes on the skin. Here are some herbs that you can freeze to make these herbal ice cubes. These are easy to prepare with natural ingredients and will be fresh for at least 10-12 days in the freezer. Make sure to rub ice cubes only after properly washing your face.
- Neem Ice Cubes
Neem has been known from ancient times for its antibacterial and antifungal qualities. Take a handful of neem leaves and boil them in some fresh water. Once the liquid cools off, strain the water and pour it in an ice tray. Neem Ice Cubes will also help control excessive oil production and works great for acne prone skin.
- Green Tea Ice Cubes
Take half a cup of green tea and pour it in an ice tray and put in the freezer. Once the ice cubes are formed, you can rub it on your pimples and all over the face,neck and back. Green Tea cubes will reduce the redness, swelling and inflammation of pimples. It also helps in improving blood circulation to the pimple affected area, and in tightening the skin pores as well as removing dirt and oil accumulated on the skin.
- Aloe Vera Ice Cubes
Aloe Vera has antimicrobial properties, making it ideal to treat acne and pimples. Take a fresh aloe vera leave and slice it open. Scoop out the gel and make a fine paste in a mixer. Freeze this paste in ice cubes. You can apply these ice cubes on your face before stepping out in the sun, to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Rub an ice cube before bedtime to relax your skin.
- Cucumber Ice Cubes
The astringent properties of cucumber juice helps nourish the skin, imparting a natural glow, making it soft and smooth. Squeeze the juice of cucumber and freeze it. Massage your skin gently with these ice cubes anytime after washing your face. This will purify the skin and helps in preventing clogging and greasing, thereby deeply cleansing and soothing the skin.
- Mint Lemon Ice Cubes
Mint locks moisture in your skin by tightening the skin pores. This herb works great for both dry and oily skin. Take a handful of mint leaves and boil them in some fresh water. Once the liquid cools off, strain the water and pour it in an ice tray and add 4-5 drops of lime juice in every section and put it in the freezer. Rub 1-2 ice cubes everyday on your face, neck and back for best results.
- Potato Ice Cubes
Potato juice works as an effective face toner due to its excellent astringent and bleaching properties. Rubbing potato ice cubes on the face and neck removes the buildup of dead skin cells and helps to get rid of skin imperfections like dark spots, blemishes and acne scars. Simply, squeeze the juice of a potato and freeze it. Massage your skin gently with these ice cubes anytime after washing your face.
Regularly applying herbal ice can do wonders for the skin. However, you should be careful while massaging the skin with ice and make sure you do this gently and for not more than 5-7 minutes as there are delicate and fragile capillaries under the skin layers which can easily break after getting numb. For people with sensitive skin, make sure you wrap the ice in a clean cotton cloth and then gently rub it on your skin.
Happy Icing!