ARCTIC ROSE FACIAL CUBES
Morning rituals greatly impact how we effectively start our day. Maybe it is reading the news while enjoying a hot cup of coffee or running miles while breathing the sweet morning dew — no matter what our morning routine looks like, there is something undeniably powerful in how we begin each day with intention.
I recently added facial icing to my morning regimen, and it is certainly here to stay. The treatment is an instant pick-me-up that not only positively impacts my skin’s appearance, but also brings attention and focus to my well-being. Facial icing is simply applying ice in the form of an ice cube to the skin, decreasing blood flow to the affected area. This in turn can reduce inflammation, pain, and may decrease swelling. Additionally, when ice is applied to the skin, the blood vessels in that area constrict, minimizing the appearance of pores. Because of this pore-shrinking effect, it is best to perform facial icing on clean skin to prevent locking debris or dirt in our pores.
Lightly applying ice to the face is fabulous for combatting puffy eyes as well as mitigating symptoms associated with blemishes. I certainly go through phases where I battle with breakouts and have found notable relief using ice cubes for both tenderness and inflammation relating to those skin disturbances.
MAKING ARCTIC ROSE FACIAL CUBES
Fill a tea infuser with 2 tablespoons of organic dried rose petals and place in a heat-safe bowl or cup. Pour 1 1/2 cups of boiling water over the tea, cover (I use a large plate), and steep until the water has cooled to room temperature. Remove the tea infuser and pour the rose tea into a silicone or stainless steel ice tray and place in the freezer. Once the rose tea cubes have frozen, remove them from the tray and store in a freezer bag; I like using an environmentally friendly silicone bag. You can also simply keep the cubes in the tray and remove them as you use them.
UNDERSTANDING THE INGREDIENTS
ORGANIC ROSE PETALS
Although basic ice is wonderful on its own, I like to craft my facial ice cubes using rose tea made from organic dried rose petals. Roses contain vitamins A, C, and E — all of which are excellent for promoting healthy skin. Furthermore, the aroma of rose can be incredibly calming and has been acknowledged for its support in reducing anxiety and stress.
Note: Those with an allergy to the rose plant should avoid rose tea facial cubes.
DIY ARCTIC ROSE FACIAL CUBES
Ingredients
2 tablespoons organic dried rose petals
1 1/2 cups water: boiled
Materials
tea infuser
heat-safe bowl or cup
plate
ice cube tray
silicone freezer bag
Instructions
Fill a tea infuser with 2 tablespoons of organic dried rose petals and place in a heat-safe bowl or cup.
Pour 1 1/2 cups of boiling water over the tea, cover (I use a large plate), and steep until the water has cooled to room temperature.
Remove the tea infuser and pour the rose tea into a silicone or stainless steel ice tray and place in the freezer.
Once the rose tea cubes have frozen, remove them from the tray and store in a freezer bag; I like using an environmentally friendly silicone bag. You can also simply keep the cubes in the tray and remove them as you use them.
How to Use
After cleansing and moisturizing the face, gently rub a rose tea cube over your face and neck in circular motions. Focus on areas of the skin that are dull, irritated, puffy, or tense. Move the ice cube from forehead to the cheeks and nose, then to the lips, chin, jawline, and finish at the neck. Once the rose tea has dried on your skin, wash your face and neck with cold water and pat dry with a towel. I recommend applying additional moisturizer following the icing facial treatment.
