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Beauty / Skin Care
By Mary Honkus, CNN Underscored
Published 10:21 AM EST, Fri January 3, 2025
What's in this guide
- Benefits of ice rollers for your face
- What to look for in an ice roller
- When to use an ice roller
- Best ice rollers
- FAQs
- Meet our experts
- Why trust CNN Underscored
Ice roller quick picks
Favorite ice roller: StackedSkincare Ice Roller
Celebrity-loved ice roller: Esarora Ice Roller
Full-face ice roller: BeautyBio Cryo Skin Ice Roller
With the temperatures venturing into single digits, whipping out an ice roller might be the last thing you want to do, but there are plenty of reasons to embrace the skin chill this winter and beyond. Ice rollers and cryotherapy tools are an easy way to depuff at home — and they’re much more affordable than the high-tech skin care devices that have taken the beauty industry by storm, all while offering similar benefits.
If you’ve ever woken up feeling puffy (why does this always happen after a few glasses of wine?), introducing a flash of coldness can make a major difference. Trust me, I’ve been doing this long before it was cool (heh). When I was younger, I always stored a spoon in the freezer for this exact scenario: Placing the chilled metal on my under-eyes would drain any retained water almost instantly. I wouldn’t recommend using a spoon today — it’s not the most sanitary — but having a designated ice roller has continued to make a difference in my skin care routine.
Benefits of ice rollers for your face
“Ice rollers and cryotherapy tools work to stimulate blood circulation and deliver more oxygen to the skin cells, which then reduces puffiness, redness, wrinkles and inflammation,” says Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at the Shafer Clinic in New York City. “These tools promote collagen production to improve skin elasticity for increased tightening and firmness.”
What to look for in an ice roller
The two main characteristics you want to consider before purchasing an ice roller are the material it’s made of and the size. Certain materials retain frigidity better than others — namely stainless steel and gel. Even though your inherent body temperature will eventually warm these two components, they can stay cold for up to 15 minutes (a significant chunk of time for an ice-rolling session). Other common ice roller materials include aluminum, ceramic and sometimes stones like rose quartz or jade.
You’ll also want to take the size into account. “Ice roller tools are best used all across the face, but the main areas to target are forehead, under-eyes, cheeks and even the jawline for a contoured appearance,” Engelman says. Think about where you want to experience the most significant depuffing and sculpting benefits. Larger tools can cover more surface area and are easier to roll along your cheekbones and jawline; however, the bigger the tool, the less comfortable it will be to glide near your eyes, an area prone to puffiness. If you’re most concerned about puffy eyes, there are smaller tools designed specifically for the delicate orbital area.
When to use an ice roller
Our experts suggest using your ice roller daily after cleansing your face either in the morning or at night, though you can even use it midday if that’s when you find the time or simply need a refreshing pick-me-up.
Regardless of when you choose to roll, Dr. Rachel Westbay, a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City, recommends using your tool of choice for five to 10 minutes at most. “It is also important not to hold the ice in any one place for too long. It’s best to keep it moving,” she says. “To optimize lymphatic drainage, move in upward motions. For instance, move the tool along the underside of the jawline from chin to ear, trace the orbital bone from its innermost portion outward, work upwards on the cheeks and speed over the forehead to finish.”
Best ice rollers
I’ve spent years trying the best ice rollers and have found quite a few picks that put my trusty spoon to shame. Discover my definitive list — which also includes dermatologist and facialist favorites — below. Get ready to ice, ice baby.
Editor Favorite
Favorite for depuffing
Westbay says small details make this luxe ice roller standout from the rest. “It’s made from stainless steel, which doesn’t harbor bacteria and stays cold for longer, and it’s designed with a slim, ergonomic handle to make it easier to roll,” she says. I can attest that swiping this along my face feels like icy magic. It’s been a consistent part of my morning routine for the past four years because of how it quickly depuffs, awakens tired eyes and invigorates my complexion.
Favorite full-face roller
Larger tools aren’t conducive for swiping along the crevices of your face, while smaller tools simply don’t cover enough area. You might think getting two ice rollers is the only workaround, but Westbay has a better solution: BeautyBio’s dual-ended tool. “The small side is perfect to use around your eyes and nose, while the larger end works well along the jawline and cheekbones,” she says.
Reader Favorite
Most popular ice roller
With over 17,000 5-star ratings on Amazon, editor and celebrity approval, the Esarora Ice Roller has become a favorite among Underscored staff and readers alike. The under-$20 tool is generously sized and effortlessly glides along the face to calm puffiness and inflammation, and even ease headaches and other pains throughout the body.
Read our review
Favorite for cheeks
Sure, you could technically run an ice cube along your face to experience the benefits of cryotherapy, but that can get real messy, real quick. (Not to mention, the sharp edges on ice cubes can hurt!) Westbay says this “genius” tool takes your DIY ice roller game to the next level: “You fill the silicone container with water, freeze it and then glide it across skin.” It’s the perfect shape for sculpting cheekbones too.
Favorite for body
Are your arms or legs craving frosted relief? Ice rolling isn’t just reserved for your face. For a full-body refresh, Engelman suggests this roller because of its size. The design is big enough to comfortably cover large sections of your face (like your cheekbones and jawline) as well as your chest, legs and arms. Since it’s made from gel rather than stainless steel, it’s also a tad softer and more gentle, making it a great pick for those with sensitive skin.
Favorite for the eye area
If you struggle with eye puffiness or bags, Vee Mistry, celebrity facialist and founder of SkinbyVee, recommends this dainty tool that specifically targets the area. The tiny roller efficiently stimulates orbital circulation and encourages lymphatic drainage for a more bright-eyed, enlivened effect. From my experience, running it along the contours of my eyes is just as effective as a morning cup of joe. I look like I got a full night’s sleep after using this, even if that’s far from reality.
Favorite multitasker
Combine the benefits of gua sha and cryotherapy with this facialist-developed tool. “Gua sha helps sculpt, lift and contour, while cryotherapy tools cool and calm the skin,” Mistry says. These sticks from her brand combine both therapies into one easy-to-use instrument to give you snatched, glowing features. While pricey, these are designed to stay colder (and feel significantly colder than other tools) for longer due to the pairing of stainless steel with interior gel padding, so you can get up to 15 minutes of frosty tranquility.
Favorite for the jawline
For a jawline so sharp it could cut glass, you’ll want this ice roller in your beauty arsenal. Another favorite of Mistry’s, this aluminum roller stays cold just as long as stainless steel options without the weight, making it more comfortable to hold and roll during your cryo sessions. The wide shape beautifully hugs the jawline and instantly reduces puffiness for a sculpted appearance.
Favorite affordable ice roller
While many skin care tools can feel like an investment, ice rollers are relatively affordable. For those on a budget, Engelman says few compare to this stainless steel pick. It maintains an icy coolness for a substantial amount of time, quickly soothes irritation and fits snugly in your hand, thanks to the curved handle.
Favorite for sculpting
These whimsical ice globes don’t just look pretty; they deliver an exhilarating dose of coolness to your face that makes an immediate difference in puffiness. Designed to promote lymphatic drainage, tone the face and boost circulation, these globes can be used alone on bare skin or paired with a serum for a full on facial experience from the comfort of your home.
Editor Favorite
Favorite cryo mask
Sometimes ice rolling can feel like a workout. On the days when you want the depuffing and circulation-boosting benefits without lifting a finger, you can just strap this flexible mask on your face and relax. The dual-acting design is filled with glycerin beads, which can be chilled for a cryo experience or briefly thrown in the microwave for a calming heated session. Underscored's beauty editor Sophie Shaw loves using the cooling mask to calm the skin after waxing, laser treatments or microneedling.
FAQs
The following FAQs have been answered by board-certified dermatologists Dr. Dendy Engleman and Dr. Rachel Westbay, as well as celebrity facialist Vee Mistry.
When it comes to ice rollers, there are two materials that naturally stay cold for extended periods of time: stainless steel and gel. “Stainless steel ice rollers are excellent at retaining cold because the metal conducts and maintains low temperatures effectively,” Westbay says. Gel might sound surprising, however, many ice rollers are filled with freezable gel because of its ability to stay frosty. “The gel inside the roller absorbs and holds the cold better than solid materials, making [it] another top choice,” she adds. Some tools, like the SkinbyVee Gua Sha Cryo Sticks have a dual-layer construction of stainless steel and gel for a more long-lasting chill.
While both tools can reduce puffiness, improve circulation and stimulate blood flow, the technique in which you use them and their materials differ. “Gua sha is commonly used for lymphatic drainage, reducing puffiness and sculpting facial contours,” Engelman says. “Ice rollers, on the other hand, reduce puffiness by cooling the skin and calming inflammation.”
Taking things a step further, Westbay says that “gua sha tools are typically made of smooth stones like jade, rose quartz or stainless steel. They are flat, handheld and shaped to contour to the face and body. Ice rollers are usually made of stainless steel, gel-filled plastic or silicone; are cylindrical; and are designed to roll over the skin, often pre-cooled for a chilling effect.”
“The technique of gua sha involves scraping the tool along the skin in upward and outward strokes and requires much more pressure and specific techniques,” Westbay adds. “In contrast, ice rollers are gently rolled across the face in a back-and-forth or up-and-down motion and focus more on soothing and calming the skin without requiring specific techniques.”
“Most people prefer to gua sha first, then ice roller, as it follows the natural progression of stimulating and then calming the skin,” Westbay says. However, Engelman recommends taking your goals and concerns into account to curate the best routine. Start with an ice roller if you want to reduce puffiness, but if your main priority is to sculpt your face and/or relieve tension, use a gua sha first.
There’s no definitive “best time” to ice roll. You’ll experience the benefits regardless if you choose to complete a treatment morning, afternoon or night. That said, because skin is typically the puffiest when you wake up, Engelman suggests incorporating it into your morning routine. “This will help wake up your skin, open your pores and allow the moisturizer to penetrate more deeply,” she says.
Both Engelman and Westbay suggest using your ice roller on freshly cleansed skin before applying your serums and moisturizers.
Ice rollers won’t necessarily get rid of deep lines, but they can briefly plump and tighten skin to minimize their appearance. “It’s not Botox in a tool,” Mistry says. “What you’re gonna get is some plumping and lifting to superficial lines and wrinkles.”
Engelman adds that consistent use does offer some preventative benefits by “slowing the development of wrinkles and reducing skin damage caused by inflammation.”
Meet our experts
For this article, we consulted the following skin care experts for their professional insights on ice rollers and to get their recommendations:
- Dr. Dendy Engelman, board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at the Shafer Clinic in New York City
- Vee Mistry, Toronto-based celebrity facialist and founder of SkinbyVee
- Dr. Rachel Westbay, board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City
Why trust CNN Underscored
CNN Underscored has a skilled team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when it makes sense to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this article, contributing beauty writer Mary Honkus shared her favorite depuffing ice rollers she’s tested and consulted three skin experts to learn about the benefits of cryotherapy for the face.
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Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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