Additional Coverage:
- I attempted to dunk my face in ice-cold water like Ashton Hall for a week. It did nothing but make me dread getting out of bed. (businessinsider.com)
Wellness Influencer’s Icy Face Plunge: A Refreshing Trend or Too Cool for School?
A Miami-based fitness influencer’s morning routine recently went viral, featuring face plunges into ice water using Saratoga spring water. Intrigued, I decided to test this unusual practice for myself. Could it really banish morning grogginess and energize my day?
The influencer, a former college athlete, follows an elaborate five-hour routine, including workouts, meditation, journaling, and even rubbing banana peels on his face. The ice water plunge, a technique sometimes used by athletes for muscle recovery, was the element that caught my attention. While some dermatologists and celebrities have touted potential benefits like improved blood flow and reduced puffiness, I was skeptical.
My five-day experiment began with a hefty investment in Saratoga water. At nearly three dollars per bottle, the cost quickly added up.
Setting up each morning felt intimidating. Submerging my face in the icy water was a shock to the system, leaving my skin red and tingling.
While there was a temporary smoothing effect, I suspected it was due to the loss of sensation in my face rather than any real skin benefit.
The initial plunge did provide a jolt of energy, but the experience was far from pleasant. By day two, I dreaded the process.
Switching things up on day three, I tried the ice plunge after a workout. The cooling effect was more welcome after exercising, but still not something I’d incorporate daily.
On day four, I attempted to integrate the face plunge into my regular skincare routine. No luck.
The intense cold was still too much to bear. Finally, on day five, I admitted defeat.
Instead of another icy dunk, I simply drank the Saratoga water. It was a far more enjoyable, and considerably less expensive, way to start the day.
While the icy face plunge might work for some, it ultimately wasn’t for me. I found no lasting benefits to my skin or mood, and the initial energy boost faded quickly. For now, I’ll stick to more conventional methods of waking up.