Even though it became a bit of a fad last year, I wasn’t that interested in cryotherapy as an anti-ageing tool. I thought it was just a temporary measure to de-puff tired eyes.
We all know that old skool trick of holding ice-cold spoons from the fridge over eye sockets to help depuff tired eyes. It’s physics, coldness makes the blood vessels contract around the eyes and reduces the puffiness.
What I didn’t know was that cryotherapy can also stimulate collagen production and can help boost antioxidant levels in the blood and reduce inflammation.
Whole-body cryo-chambers are used by elite athletes to speed up muscle recovery and reduce inflammation after training and celebrities to help combat ageing. Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore, Jessica Alba are all noted fans of this ice-cold therapy. For a mere £95.00 you can have the pleasure of dancing around in your knickers (to keep warm) at -90c for three minutes at Harrods 111Skin Cryo Chamber.
Here are some of the most popular cold therapy at-home devices and skincare – and a few cheaper alternatives. I’ve tried to find the best (current) price offers for each one.
I’m going to start with what I feel is the crème de la crème of cryotherapy and skincare innovation, 111Skin.
Founded by plastic surgeon Dr. Yannis Alexandrides and named after his clinic at 111 Harley Street (of course), he brought the first electrically cooled Cryotherapy chamber to the UK.
111 Skin CRYO DE-PUFFING EDIT £125.00 111SKIN *
Inspired by the benefits of Cryotherapy, The Cryo De-Puffing Edit is a collection of our regenerative eye and face favourites with a pair of complimentary Cryo Sculpting Tools.
When combined with the three products offered, these cooling metal definers, made from surgical stainless steel, work to alleviate the appearance of redness, encourage circulation, reduce puffiness and temporarily tighten the skin.
THE EDIT KIT
- 1x Sub-Zero De-Puffing Energy Facial Mask – 23ml
- 1x Sub-Zero De-Puffing Eye Mask – 6ml
- 1x Sub-Zero De-Puffing Eye Duo – 20ml
- 1x Cryo Sculpting Tools
I love 111Skin face and eye masks. At first, they seem like a luxury indulgence because they’re just single-use hydrogel masks and cost a fortune, but you can rely on them to deliver results every single time.
The blue Sub-Zero De-Puffing Energy Facial Mask is a super-fast solution for calming down a puffy face. It’s an instant result. Ideal for a special event, particularly if you’re hot and bothered getting ready, you can whack it on after a shower knowing that it will adhere nicely (give it five minutes and it almost locks into skin) and you won’t have any gloop running down your face.
The best-selling Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Hydrogel Mask brings moisture and brightness back to the skin but also leaves a really nice glow – not pinkness, just glow, which looks great under makeup.
I get these whenever they’re on sale and always have 3 on the go. They’re cheaper to buy in packs of 5 which brings the price down to a mere £17.00 per single-use mask.
Annoyingly, there’s never quite enough serum leftover for the next day, so smooth whatever is left in the sachet over your neck and chest.
Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Hydrogel Masks 5 pack £85.00 Look Fantastic *
The Sub-Zero De-Puffing Eye Duo is a two-step applicator with 10ml of serum to be used in conjunction with 10ml of cream. The standalone price is £75.00
I’m torn between the 111Skin Cryo sticks and these ones from Oliviere Wilson.
OLIVIEREWILSON Cryo Ice Sticks Was £90.00 Now (19/3/22) £72.00 CurrentBody *
Designed to lift, sculpt and tighten the skin, these OLIVIEREWILSON Cryo Ice Sticks are filled with cooling liquid.
Ergonomically designed, simply glide them across the face, body and neck. Morning or night, these must-have beauty tools can be used directly on the skin, over a mask or after moisturiser.
They’re also ideal for use after cosmetic procedures including micro needling, skin peels and laser treatments.
Oliviere Wilson is a health and beauty brand offering Advanced Light Therapy LED, Microneedling and Cryotherapy.
These are the ones used by makeup artist Caroline Barnes. Her YouTube channel is called Caroline Barnes Speed Beauty which I highly recommend if you’re over 30, but especially if you’re over 40.
The idea behind the channel is to offer beauty shortcuts and tips without gimmicks or clickbait titles. Solid advice from a real person who just happens to be an International makeup artist working on the red carpet, magazine editorials and making up the likes of Emma Watson (love her makeup style) and Kylie.
She’s also very relatable to me as we have the same colouring and I love that she starts off with a ‘raw’ face. She demonstrated using the Oliviere Wilson Ice Sticks and I was impressed how her quick little routine really opened up her eyes.
I’m really torn between these and the 111Skin ones. Actually, I want everything from the 111Skin line.
Fraîcheur Paris Ice Globes – Artic Blue Glitter £95.00 CurrentBody *
If you’ve heard of cryotherapy, chances are you’ve also heard of this French brand that is leading the pack with these colourful glass globes filled with anti-freeze liquid.
The word fraÎcheur, meaning freshness, is perfectly apt for these globes which give you a healthy glow that’s similar to that post-gym complexion.
Our testers said their morning puffiness reduced considerably after 15 minutes of using these globes and tightness around the jaw was eased. Their skin felt plumper, and their wrinkles ironed out – especially on the forehead.
These are fancy schmancy.
They’re Instagram pretty so no wonder they’re popular. Obviously, they work and would make a gorgeous, indulgent present.
But, glass?
Glass?
Do I trust myself with glass?
Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Face Mask £49.00 Feel Unique *
Inspired by the high-performance ice-tech of cryo-therapy and the ancient art of facial acupressure techniques, this unique, reusable mask works in synergy with Charlotte’s research-powered skincare to create the appearance of lifted, firmer, refreshed and revived skin.
10-minute ice-power shrink & lift-effect facial mask inspired by the ice-tech of cryotherapy and facial acupressure.
This science is certainly sound and I can see this fits part of the neck, but what someone needs to do is devise a cryo mask solely for the neck and one for the chest.
Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum 15ml £45.00 Feel Unique *
Instant Eye-Awakening Serum charged with ICEAWAKE™ and caffeine (good old caffeine, it’s everywhere again) with a skin-cooling applicator tip (ie it’s metal) for eyes that appear depuffed, smoothed and brighter.
This cools, depuffs and awakens the look of eyes, whilst targeting fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles.
Charlotte, you cheeky minx, you’re only labelling it cryo because of the metal-tipped applicator.
Still, there are some impressive reviews and of course, it will instantly depuff. The selling point here is that it contains a host of innovative skincare benefits and absorbs easily without leaving any residue. Essential when applying makeup. I’m trying to remember the eye cream I used that melted my unmeltable MAC eyeliner.
I feel I want it, rather than need it.
Comfort Zone Body Strategist Cryo Leg Gel 200ml £36.00 Look Fantastic *
The innovative formula includes a potent yet gentle cocktail of Aescin, Menthol and Hesperidin that creates a cooling sensation as soon as it is applied, reducing the look of swelling and heaviness.
This moisturising gel locks in hydration, absorbing fast to eliminate the risk of greasy, sticky residue, leaving skin that is smooth and baby-soft to the touch.
The ingenious active ingredients work to encourage the appearance of the drainage of excess fluids.
I’m only including this because my mum uses it as she suffers from ‘heavy legs’ at night along with cramping and this gel alleviates that.
It’s quite pricey and I know there must be other are similar, much cheaper, gels that do the same thing, but she says this absorbs without feeling greasy and the menthol fragrance doesn’t overpower the room. Yeah, we’re looking at you, eyewatering Elemis Aching Muscle Super Soak.
Nurse Jamie Super-Cryo Massaging Orb Mini £14.00 Large £36.00 Look Fantastic *
The Nurse Jamie Super-Cryo Massaging Orb works to tone and firm the skin, helping to improve skin tone. The orb features a cold temperature inspired by the powers of cryotherapy, helping to promote a healthier-looking complexion.
At first, I thought, what an awkward shape, but then I realised it might be easier to handle for some people who want to roll it over areas instead of using handles, plus it wouldn’t feel cold in your hand.
CURRENTBODY Skin Cryo Roller £30.00 CurrentBody *
After storing in the freezer, roll over the face and body to effortlessly sculpt, depuff and brighten your appearance.
Made from stainless steel, the roller delivers ice-cold temperatures to the skin, increasing circulation, stimulating collagen production and flushing out toxins.
Cryotherapy also constricts your pores for a more even skin texture and can even help to control excess oil production, it shocks the skin cells into sending blood and nutrients to that particular area. This fresh delivery of nutrients helps to flush away toxins, and reduce water retention – meaning goodbye puffiness and hello radiant skin!
This increase in activity underneath the surface also encourages collagen production, and with continued use, you’ll notice a more sculpted and toned complexion.
I can’t see the dimensions anywhere, but judging from online photos against faces, it looks about 8-9cm wide.
Lancôme Rose Sorbet Cryo-Mask 50ml £27.00 £20.00 at John Lewis * PRICE DROP
This cooling mask helps to tighten the pores to create a more refined complexion. Salicylic Acid penetrates into the pores to exfoliate congestion, helping to prevent breakouts and dullness.
Rose Water helps to tone and soften the skin for a smoother, brighter finish, while Sunflower Seed Oil helps to hydrate and illuminate for a naturally radiant effect.
Treat your skin to the irresistibly cooling sorbet texture, inspired by cryo-facial technology to help reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and refresh the complexion. Dull, tired and congested skin is revitalised in just five minutes for a rosy glow.
Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage 15ml £24.00 Now £22.52 Boots * PRICE DROP
Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage delivers intense hydration to transform tired eyes.
Suitable for all skin types, its oil-free formula is infused with a powerful blend of caffeine, antioxidants and soothing botanicals to awaken and refresh skin, whilst remaining gentle to the delicate eye area.
With a roll-on design, the treatment glides effortlessly onto skin for an instant cooling and brightening effect, reducing puffiness and dark circles on contact.
I don’t think it reduces dark circles on contact, that’s a bit too bold. However, I do think everyone has got or used this serum. It’s an old staple for instantly depuffing the under-eye area. It was also one of the first ‘cryo’ eye-rollers out there. I bet Clinique wish they labelled it Cryo Serum now.
Pfefe Ice Globes Facial Skin Care Tools £23.99 Amazon UK
The Cryo Sticks can make skin blood vessels contract diastole rhythmically that eliminate fine lines, shrink pores, reduce puffiness, improve skin elasticity.
This Cryo Stick is made of 304 Stainless steel and filled with a non-toxic cooling gel, it is durable and safe that will not break and leak easily like Glass Globes.
Light (oh oh) and super portable.
Obviously, these are cheap knock offs, but if you can get around the criticisms – handles are too small and not long enough to hold to stabilise, then these aren’t terrible.
I don’t want to link to Amazon, but if you’re still interested, just put Pfefe Ice Globes Facial Skin Care Tools for Women Face Eyes, Stainless Steel Face Beauty Cryo Sticks for Girls Ladies, Cooling Spa Globes with Storage Case into search.
Kitsch Ice Roller £14.50 Boots *
Kitsch Ice Roller is your new at-home facial! Made with high quality surgical stainless steel, it helps calm inflammation, increase blood circulation and alleviate sore muscles, tension & headaches. Recommended daily use for the best results.
It’s an obvious copy of the CurrentBody one – at half the price.
FOREO Bulgarian Rose UFO Moisture-Boosting Face Mask (6 Pack) Look Fantastic RRP: £18.99 £14.24 Look Fantastic * PRICE DROP
Infused with pure rose water, this Bulgarian Rose mask is your SOS for dehydrated, dull skin. Hydrating and invigorating, this rose mask will replenish essential moisture in any skin type and give your face that coveted glow.
This rose mask along with Youth Junkie and Glow Addict are the three most popular masks. I’ve mentioned in my review below that my skin is always noticeably better after using my UFO device. It’s the one thing I DO use regularly.
There’s a sale on these at the moment, the UFO2 is down to £186.75 from £249.99 Look Fantastic * PRICE DROP
CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW FOR REVIEW
The results really do mimic a full-on facial. However, I’m going to note again that Matte Maniac is the only dud in the masking lineup.
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR REVIEW
The natural rose fragrance is gorgeous. The mask itself is made from slightly thicker material than the others and the serum also feels slightly denser.
I use rose masks when my face feels dry and irritated. Skin feels soothed afterwards and looks calmer, less red and irritated.
Of course, now I realise it’s because of the cold (cryo) shot in the treatment. 30 seconds of pleasant warmth followed by a 20-second shock of coldness – and it really is icy-cold. Another 40 seconds of OK-ness then a final 10-second blast of cold. But it works, not my favourite to use, but my favourite for results.
Dr. Jart+ Cryo Rubber Mask with Moisturising Hyaluronic Acid 44g £10.00 Now £8.50 Boots * PRICE DROP
This intensely hydrating, innovative two-step moisturising treatment mask is for dry skin. Dr.Jart+ combines a highly concentrated Hyaluronic Acid ampoule with a cooling, moisture-locking Cryo Rubber™ mask to help boost the absorption of the potent gel-like serum.
The highly concentrated ampoule serum is packed with active ingredients to recharge your radiance. Enriched with must-have skincare ingredient, Hyaluronic Acid, the formula draws and locks moisture into the skin to provide long-lasting hydration.
Uniquely designed, the rubber material fuses with the skin, creating a seal to ensure maximum absorption of the ingredients. Cryo technology offers a refreshing, cooling effect to leave your skin feeling invigorated.
The packaging! This has always creeped me out, it looks like a baby coming up for air because they’re smothering in a pool of blue gunk.
Actually, it’s a two-part rubbery face mask (with eye holes, phew) applied on top of serum which is mainly hyaluronic acid. I’m intrigued and as it’s on offer, will grab one. I will avert my eyes from the packaging though as I’m of a delicate disposition.
Nivea Cellular Elasticity Cryo Sheet Face Mask With Hyaluronic Acid £4.99 Boots * PRICE DROP
Face care inspired by dermatological Cryo-Facial treatments it uses the cold to gently yet effectively treat the signs of ageing. Cryo-Facial is the latest trend and is known for tightening the skin, filling wrinkles and smoothing the skin, just like a sheet mask.
The tissue is infused with 20ml of serum enriched with Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen and Elastin Booster and offers a perfect fit for optimal delivery of ingredients. It activates the skin cells to produce their own hyaluron, collagen and elastin*.
After 10 minutes the face contour is remodelled, wrinkles are visibly reduced with the skin feeling firmer, plumped up with moisture, and 24hour hydrated.
I’m sold, in my basket you go. Admittedly, I thought there were 3 masks…
L’Oreal Paris Hyaluronic Acid Cooling Eye Serum-Mask 11g £4.99 Feel Unique *
Introducing the L’Oreal Paris Hyaluronic Acid Cooling Eye Serum-Mask formulated with 1% Hyaluronic acid + caffeine. Giving full eye coverage, each tissue mask contains ½ bottle of eye serum in quantity, and has a cooling cryo effect, helping reveal revived looking eyes
Carefully formulated, this fresh alginate gel mask, has a cooling cryo effect of up to -5°C on the area.
Each mask is designed for 15 minutes of wear. After only one mask skin feels intensely hydrated and eyes look more awakened. After 3 masks eye bags appear reduced and eye contours and visibly smoother.
You can’t go too wrong with twin anti-ageing superheroes hyaluronic acid and caffeine, now can you?
*Affiliate links
Prices correct at 19th March 2022
