‘Summer House:’ Does Paige DeSorbo’s Ice Facial Actually Work?

How does the cast of Summer House look so fresh and fabulous after a booze-fueled evening? Of course, youth plays a part in being able to rebound from too many Fireball shots.

However, Paige DeSorbo may have dropped a hint about how she reduces bothersome facial swelling after too many cocktails. After one of the Summer House epic evenings of drinking, DeSorbo is seen immersing her entire face in a bowl of ice water.

Meanwhile, Carl Radke who was smitten with DeSorbo wanders into the room and decides to give it a go as well. “It actually feels amazing,” Radke exclaims. So does the ice facial actually do the job? And are there any other uses for a facial ice bath other than to chill swelling after a few too many cocktails?

This blogger tried it

Sara Farrell Baker from Scary Mommy put the ice bath facial to the test. In true form, Baker didn’t hold back on what she actually experienced. “First, an ice bath facial is exactly what it sounds like,” she wrote. “It’s a bath made of ice for your face. You take a large bowl and fill it with ice water.”

She describes how the ice bath reduces swelling. “The icy cold water is meant to constrict the capillaries in the face to reduce swelling and puffiness, with the desired result of looking awake and refreshed.”

So did she dig it? Not really. “My face looked awake, alright. But it didn’t look so much refreshed as it looked enraged.” Makeup went on easily and her skin felt smoother and brighter. But, Baker said the treatment was not pleasant.

How else could an ice bath facial help?

In addition to reducing facial swelling, an ice bath facial can be used to manage other issues. Vogue investigated helpful uses for a facial ice bath, plus tips on how users can enhance the effects.

Dealing with painful cystic acne? Dermatologist Dr. Francesca Fusco told Vogue an ice bath can combat inflammation.  “This stimulates circulation, allowing the body’s immune system to calm down and clear out blemishes and cysts,” she said.

You can also use a similar approach to under eye bags too. “Use a cold compress made out of cotton and chamomile tea and rest it on your eyes for a few minutes,” celebrity facialist Joanna Czech told Vogue. “Or, wrap ice cubes in gauze and slide the cubes from the inner eye corners up towards the brow in a circular motion.” Another idea is to freeze iced coffee squares to decrease swelling. The compounds in caffeine actually help, along with the ice.

And if you just want to look extra fresh, use this hack before you ice down your face. “If you apply a serum to the skin and put ice on it afterwards, the capillaries restrict and it creates a pulling effect that helps ingredients penetrate deeper,” aesthetician Renée Rouleau told Vogue.

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