As skincare enthusiasts, we're always on the hunt for the next game-changing product or technique that promises a radiant, flawless complexion. While exploring exotic ingredients and innovative technologies, we often overlook one simple, age-old trick that has been part of beauty rituals around the world: using cold water or ice on the face. In this blog post, we're diving into the cool world of cryotherapy for skin.
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Why Cold Water or Ice?
When it comes to skincare, cold water or ice can work wonders for your skin. A blast of cold can reduce puffiness, boost circulation, and even tighten your skin. All these benefits lead to a brighter, rejuvenated complexion. And the best part? Itβs affordable and accessible for everyone.
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Benefits of Cold Water and Ice on Your Skin
Reduces Puffiness: The cold temperature can constrict blood vessels, which reduces swelling and inflammation. This is particularly helpful for treating under-eye bags after a long night or calming irritated skin.
Tightens Skin: Cold water or ice has a tightening effect on the skin. It helps to shrink pores, creating a smoother complexion. It also provides an immediate lifting effect, making your skin appear more youthful and firm.
Boosts Circulation: Cold stimulates blood flow, which increases the supply of oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells. This can result in a naturally rosy and radiant complexion.
Soothes Sunburn: If you've spent a little too much time in the sun, cold water or ice can help soothe sunburn. The cold temperature can reduce inflammation and relieve the burning sensation associated with sunburn. It's a natural and immediate way to provide comfort to your skin.
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How to Incorporate Cold Water or Ice into Your Skincare Routine
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Morning splash: Start your day with a splash of cold water on your face. It not only awakens your skin but also tightens pores, prepping your skin for the skincare products to follow.
Ice massage: For a more intense cold treatment, try an ice massage. Wrap a couple of ice cubes in a clean cloth and gently massage it over your face, paying special attention to areas where your skin tends to get puffy or where your pores are enlarged.
But remember, while an ice massage can be refreshing and beneficial for your skin, it's important not to apply ice directly onto your skin. This could potentially cause frostbite or damage capillaries.
Tips to Maximize the Effects of Cold Water or Ice
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Make ice cubes using green tea or chamomile tea for added skin benefits: Green tea is rich in antioxidants, specifically catechins, which fight against cell damage and reduce inflammation. When used as an ice cube, it not only helps soothe your skin but also provides anti-aging benefits. On the other hand, chamomile tea is known for its soothing and calming properties. When frozen and applied to your skin, it can help to reduce redness and irritation, making it perfect for those with sensitive skin. To do this, simply brew your chosen tea, let it cool, then pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze.
Use an ice massage to counteract puffiness after a night out or a salty meal: Consuming alcohol or salty food can lead to water retention and bloating, which often manifests as puffiness in the face, particularly around the eyes. Cold water or ice has a constricting effect on blood vessels, which can help to reduce this puffiness. For an ice massage, wrap an ice cube in a clean cloth and gently massage the puffy areas. Remember not to apply the ice directly onto your skin.
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Apply moisturizer after an ice massage to lock in hydration
While cold water and ice can offer numerous benefits for your skin, they can also potentially dry out your skin. To counteract this, it's important to apply a good moisturizer after an ice massage. This will hydrate your skin and create a barrier to lock in moisture.Β That's where our superSupple Prebiotic Face Moisturizer comes into play. Specially formulated to nourish your skin, this moisturizer goes beyond simple hydration. The prebiotics in our moisturizer help to balance the skin's natural microbiome, promoting healthy skin.
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After ice massage, pat your skin dry, take a small amount of superSupple Prebiotic Face Moisturizerand gently massage it into your skin using upward strokes. Its lightweight formula absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue, making it perfect for use after an ice treatment.
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Using cold water or ice on your skin is an easy and cost-effective way to enhance your skincare routine. Not only will you feel refreshed and invigorated, but your skin will thank you for the radiant glow. So why not give this chilling skincare secret a try?
Stay tuned for more skincare tips and tricks to keep your complexion at its best!
If youβre in your 40s or 50s and thinking: βWhy is my skin suddenly so dry?β
Β βWhy does everything sting now?β
Β βWhy did my old moisturiser stop working?β
β¦thatβs a real shift, and itβs common.
During perimenopause and menopause, skin often becomes drier and more reactive, which can make the barrier feel like itβs constantly βon edge.β In these phases, your skin does not need more actives - it need more resilience.
Thatβs where triple lipid barrier repair moisturisers come in (also called lipid replacement or barrier lipid therapy). The idea is simple:
Replenish the skinβs natural lipids in a balanced way so it can hold water, stay calm, and tolerate your routine again.
As formulators, this is the exact reason we built superSupple - not as a βresults overnightβ product, but as a daily barrier stabiliser. Weβll reference it as a real-world example (without turning this into a sales pitch), and you can use this guide to evaluate any product.
In a Hurry? Start Here⦠The 4 Things To Look For
If youβre in perimenopause/menopause and your skin is suddenlyΒ tight, flaky, stingy, or βreacting to everything,β youβre not doing anything wrong. Your skin is just asking for barrier support, not more actives
Hereβs the simple checklist Iβd use:
Step 1: Look for the βBarrier Trioβ - Ceramides + Cholesterol + Fatty Acids (this is what βtriple lipidβ really means)
Step 2: Add hydration that lasts - If youβre stuck in the βmoisturisedβ¦ then dry againβ loop, look for PGA (polyglutamic acid) + saccharide isomerate (they help hydration feel steadier on sensitive skin)
Step 3: Stop the daily triggers (for now) - Pause the stuff that keeps your barrier stressed: over-exfoliating, stacking actives, harsh cleansing, hot water, fragranceΒ
Step 4: Keep your routine simple and consistent for 2 weeks
Β Β Β - Gentle cleanse β barrier moisturiser β SPF (AM)
Β Β Β - Gentle cleanse β barrier moisturiser (PM)
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The Longer Story (Worth It)
Why perimenopause and menopause can make skin drier (and more sensitive)
Hormone shifts can change how skin behaves - especially its ability to:
retain moisture
feel comfortable day-to-day
reover after stress (actives, weather, cleansing, heat)
The result often looks like: tightness, flaking, redness, stinging, and βmy skin canβt tolerate what it used to.β Even people who were oily for decades can become oily-but-dehydrated (surface dryness + uncomfortable shine).
This is why βbarrier-firstβ becomes such a powerful strategy in midlife: when the barrier is supported, everything else becomes easier.
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What is the skin barrier, really?
Think of the outermost layer like a brick wall:
Bricks = skin cells
Mortar = lipids (fats) that hold everything together
When the βmortarβ is depleted or out of balance, water escapes and irritants get in. You may notice:
products stinging that never used to sting
dry patches that donβt respond to basic moisturisers
tightness after cleansing
redness or βflushy heatβ
makeup sitting worse than usual
βmoisturised for an hourΒ β dry againβ
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The 3 barrier lipids (Triple Lipid) your skin actually uses
1) Ceramides - the βsealantsβ:Β Ceramides help reduce water loss and support the barrierβs structure.
Low-ceramide vibes: dryness that returns quickly, rough patches, sensitivity spikes
2) Cholesterol -the βorganiserβ :Β Cholesterol supports flexibility and repair - a barrier canβt function well if itβs brittle.
Low-cholesterol vibes: tightness, reactivity, βmy skin canβt bounce backβ
3) Free fatty acids -the βsmoothersβ :Β Fatty acids support barrier integrity and comfort, improving softness and resilience.
Low-fatty-acid vibes: flaking, dullness, uncomfortable dryness, rough texture
Hereβs the simple but important distinction:Β Hydration fills the tank. Lipids fix the tank.
Many moisturisers hydrate well, but when midlife skin becomes sensitive, it often needs lipids to actually hold onto hydration and remain calm.
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Whatβs with ratios like β2:4:2β?
You might see ratios describing the balance of ceramides : cholesterol : fatty acids.
The takeaway isnβt βhunt for a perfect ratio.β Itβs:
Balance matters
Consistent tolerance matters more than chasing a trend
If your skin is reactive, the βbestβ triple lipid is the one you can use daily without stinging.
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In midlife, βhydration styleβ matters as much as hydration amount
A big frustration in perimenopause/menopause dryness is that hydration can feel:
great for 30β60 minutesβ¦ then gone
or worse: βhydratingβ products can sting because the barrier is stressed
Thatβs why we like pairing barrier lipids with long-wear hydration that feels steady.
PGA (Polyglutamic Acid) / Glycerine / Hyaluronic acid
A humectant that helps hold water at the surface and gives a cushiony comfort feel - especially when skin feels tight or sensitised.
Saccharide Isomerate (prebiotic-style hydrator)
A sugar-derived hydrator known for long-lasting moisture, helpful if you get the βdry again in two hoursβ cycle. Itβs often positioned as microbiome-friendly and sustained release of hydrator keeping moisture in for 72 hours.
These donβt replace lipids - they support comfort while the barrier rebuilds.
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What a βmidlife barrier repairβ formula looks like (example)
A lot of βbarrier creamsβ rely mainly on heavy occlusion. That can feel soothing, but a midlife barrier-support formula often works best as a system:
Example (our approach inΒ superSupple):
β’ A balanced tri-lipid system (ceramide + cholesterol + free fatty acids)
β’ Hydration supporters like glycerin + propanediol
β’ Panthenol for comfort support
β’ Ectoin for βoverstimulated skinβ phases
β’ PGA for cushiony water-holding feel
β’ Saccharide isomerate for long-wear hydration between applications
Why this matters: triple lipids help rebuild the βmortar,β while PGA + saccharide isomerate help midlife dryness feel less relentless day-to-day.
(Not a requirement to choose superSupple β use this as a blueprint for what to look for.)
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Who benefits most from triple lipids in perimenopause/menopause?
Youβre a strong candidate if:
β’ your skin became drier and more sensitive in your 40s/50s
β’ you get stinging from products you used to tolerate
β’ you reapply moisturiser constantly
β’ your skin feels raw after cleansing
β’ youβre using retinoids/exfoliants but canβt tolerate them anymore
β’ you feel stuck in βcalm for a day β flare againβ
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The most common mistake: adding barrier products but keeping barrier stress
If youβre rebuilding sensitivity-prone midlife skin, youβll usually do better by temporarily reducing:
β’ frequent exfoliation (AHA/BHA stacks)
β’ βactive cocktailsβ in one routine (vit C + retinoid + acids)
β’ harsh cleansing, hot water, long cleansing routines
β’ fragranced products / essential oilsΒ
Barrier repair works best when skin isnβt being re-triggered daily.
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A barrier-repair routine for perimenopause/menopause dryness (AM/PM)
Morning (steady + protective)
1. Gentle cleanse (or rinse if very dry)
2. Triple lipid moisturiser (thin layer)
3. Sunscreen
Night (repair-focused)
1. Gentle cleanse
2. Triple lipid moisturiser
3. Optional: add a simple oil on top if youβre very dry
If youβre using retinoids: Try the βsandwichβ: moisturiser β retinoid β moisturiser, and lower frequency before increasing strength.
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FAQs
Q: My skin is suddenly dry and reactive in perimenopause - what moisturizer should I use?
A: Perimenopause can make skin feel βsuddenlyβ drier and more reactive because hormonal shifts can reduce natural oils and slow barrier recovery. The best place to start is a barrier-repair moisturizer that does two things:
Replaces missing skin lipids: look for ceramides + cholesterol + fatty acids (a βtriple lipidβ blend).
Limits irritation: choose fragrance-free, no essential oils, and no βtinglyβ actives if youβre sensitized.
If your skin is flaring, keep the routine boring for 2β3 weeks: a gentle cleanser, one barrier moisturizer, and daily sunscreen. Once your skin feels calm again, you can reintroduce actives slowly.
Quick rule: If your moisturizer stings on application, your barrier likely needs support first.
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Q: How do I know if my skin barrier is "damaged vs just dry?β
A: Dry skin and a damaged barrier overlap, but there are tell-tale differences.
It might be βjust dryβ if:
Tightness improves quickly after moisturizer
You donβt get stinging/itching from basic products
Flaking is mild and predictable (like winter dryness)
It might be barrier-impaired if you notice:
Stinging/burning when applying products (even ones youβve used before)
Redness, itchiness, or rashy patches
Skin feels dry again within hours, no matter what you apply
Youβve recently increased exfoliants/retinoids or over-cleansed
Makeup suddenly sits weird, pills, or highlights texture
Simple at-home test: Apply a plain, fragrance-free moisturizer to slightly damp skin. If it stings or your face feels βhot,β prioritize barrier repair before adding actives.
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Q:Β What ingredients actually repair the barrier?
A: When we say βbarrier repair,β we mean helping the outer layer of skin (stratum corneum) rebuild its protective structureβoften described asΒ βbricks and mortar.β The βmortarβ is largely lipids, and the most important ones to replenish are:
Ceramides: help seal gaps and reduce water loss
Cholesterol: supports flexibility and barrier organization
Fatty acids: help complete the lipid matrix and strengthen barrier function
Thatβs why ceramides + cholesterol + fatty acids together is such a powerful combo (often called triple lipid support).
Other barrier-supportive helpers (especially for sensitive midlife skin):
Humectants (glycerin, propanediol, polyglutamic acid) to pull water into skin
Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) to soothe and support recovery
Ectoin (often used to reduce stress/inflammation feeling in reactive skin)
Prebiotics (like saccharide isomerate) to support a balanced, comfortable skin environment
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Q: Whatβs a good fragrance-free moisturizer for eczema-prone or very sensitive skin?
A: If youβre eczema-prone or extremely sensitive, aim forΒ fragrance-free, barrier-first formulas and avoid common irritants.
Look for:
Fragrance-free (and no essential oils)
Triple-lipid support (ceramides + cholesterol + fatty acids)
Soothing, low-irritation ingredients (panthenol, ectoin, gentle humectants)
A texture that feels comfortingβnot βactiveβ or tingly
Be cautious with:
Strong botanical fragrance components (lavender, citrus oils)
Overuse of exfoliants/retinoids during flares
Too many new products at once (introduce one at a time)
Pro tip: Patch test behind the ear or on the jawline for 2β3 nights, especially if your skin is currently reactive.
(And as alwaysβif you have true eczema flares or broken skin, itβs worth checking in with a dermatologist.)
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Q:Β How can I use tretinoin / retinol without irritation? Whatβs the sandwich method?
A: Barrier support is often the missing piece for people using tretinoin (or retinoids) who feel dry, irritated, or flaky.
The sandwich method is a simple way to reduce irritation:
Apply a thin layer of moisturizer on clean, dry skin
Apply a pea-sized amount of tretinoin (avoid corners of nose, mouth, and eyelids)
Finish with another thin layer of moisturizer
Two important details:
Start slow: 2β3 nights/week, then increase only if your skin is calm.
Wait until skin is dry before tretinoin if youβre sensitiveβapplying on damp skin can increase irritation.
If youβre still peeling or stinging: cut frequency, simplify everything else, and use a barrier-repair moisturizer daily until your skin feels steady again.
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Q: How long does barrier repair take?Β What to avoid during a barrier βresetβ?
A: Firstly AVOIDΒ strong exfoliating acids, harsh scrubs, high-fragrance products, and stacking too many actives at once to start barrier repair
You'll notice improvement
In 3β7 days: many people notice less tightness, less βsting,β and skin feels calmer if they stop irritants and simplify the routine.
In 2β4 weeks: flaking and rough texture often improve, and your skin holds moisture better.
In 4β8+ weeks: deeper resilience buildsβskin is less reactive to products and environmental triggers.
Signs youβre healing: products sting less, redness reduces, makeup sits better, dryness doesnβt come back within a few hours.
Simple βbarrier resetβ for 2 weeks: gentle cleanser β barrier-repair moisturizer (AM/PM) β sunscreen (AM). Once your skin feels stable, reintroduce actives slowly (every 3rd night β every other night, etc.).
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If youβre rebuilding your barrier, choose one triple lipid moisturiser and commit to it for a couple of weeks while you simplify everything else.
If you want a sanity check, write to us at welcome@pureandcimple.com with:
your top 3 symptoms (tightness? sting? flakes? heat?)
whether youβre using retinoids/exfoliants
your current AM/PM routine
Weβll suggest a simple barrier-first routine - even if that means using what you already own.
During menopause, skin loses up to 30% of its collagen in just 5 years. Peptides are the gentle, science-backed solution that stimulates collagen production without the irritation of retinolβperfect for sensitive, mature skin experiencing hormonal changes.
Your favorite moisturizer burns. Water stings. Even your gentlest cleanser leaves you red and angry.
If this sounds familiar, you're not suddenly "allergic to everything"βyour skin barrier is damaged, and there's a critical difference between this and normal dry or sensitive skin. For women over 40, hormonal changes make barrier damage more likely yet harder to identify, leading many to treat the problem incorrectly for months.
Understanding this distinction could be the key to finally getting your skin back on track. Damaged barriers require a completely different approach than typical dryness, and using the wrong strategy will only make the problem worse.
Ready to decode what your skin is really telling you?
