The Chilling Truth About Cryo Facials: How Cold Water Therapy Calms Your Skin and Nervous System
If you’ve scrolled TikTok or Instagram lately, chances are you’ve seen a glowing face emerge from a bowl of icy water. It’s not a skincare stunt—it’s a cryo facial, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most beloved rituals for radiant skin and nervous system reset. But what if we told you this beauty trend goes more than skin deep?
At Facial Impressions Avalon, we’re always looking at holistic, evidence-based treatments that support skin health from within—and Face Dunk® cryo rituals are leading the charge. In this article, we’ll explore how cold facial immersion not only tightens pores and boosts glow but also plays a vital role in regulating your sympathetic nervous system for a calmer, more energised you.
❄️ What is a Cryo Facial?
A cryo facial involves immersing your face into ice-cold water or applying cold via tools, ice rollers, or devices. The goal? Reduce inflammation, stimulate circulation, and bring an immediate glow to the skin. At-home cryo rituals like Face Dunk® make this easy and mess-free with a purpose-built cryo bowl and skin-boosting Glow Drops infused with prebiotics, postbiotics, and active ingredients.
🧠 How Cryo Activates the Vagus Nerve & Calms the Nervous System
The science behind cold-water therapy isn’t just skincare hype—it’s rooted in real physiology.
When your face is submerged in cold water, it activates the vagus nerve, a key part of the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for rest, digestion, and repair. This sudden stimulation temporarily shifts your body out of “fight or flight” and into a rest-and-digest state, reducing stress hormones like cortisol and increasing calming neurotransmitters like acetylcholine.
🧬 According to a 2022 study in Scientific Reports, regular cold exposure can improve nervous system resilience, mood regulation, and sleep quality—all of which benefit skin health and overall wellbeing.
💡 The Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic Nervous System
System - Function - Cryo Facial Effect
Sympathetic- Fight or flight (stress, alertness) - Calms over activity
Parasympathetic - Rest and digest (healing, calm) - Activates during cryo
By dunking your face in cold water, you stimulate the diving reflex, slowing your heart rate and calming your breath. This is especially helpful if you’re experiencing burnout, anxiety, or skin flaring from stress (think: rosacea, eczema, breakouts).
💧 Benefits for Skin and Mind
Reduces Puffiness: Cold constricts blood vessels, reducing inflammation and swelling.
Tightens Pores: Cryo helps refine skin texture and minimise the appearance of pores.
Boosts Glow: Rebound circulation brings oxygen and nutrients to the skin’s surface.
Soothes Inflammation: Ideal post-treatment or for sensitive skin types.
Resets Stress Response: Supports nervous system regulation and stress reduction.
🌿 Make It a Ritual with Face Dunk®
The Face Dunk® Bowl is ergonomically designed to cradle every face shape, providing full, comfortable immersion without spills. Add your favourite Glow Drops to infuse your ice bath with microbiome-balancing actives like Kakadu Plum, Tasmanian Kelp, and Hyaluronic Acid.
Choose your ritual:
Hydrating Glow Drops – For dry or sensitive skin
Brightening Glow Drops – For dullness and uneven tone
Collagen Glow Drops – For lifting, firming, and ageing concerns
🛒 Shop the Face Dunk® Collection
Bring calm, clarity, and radiance into your daily ritual. Whether it’s a 30-second morning dunk or a full cryo-glow reset after a long day, this skincare-meets-nervous-system therapy is here to support your inner and outer glow.
👉 Shop Face Dunk®:
👉 Explore Pro Kits, Glow Drops & Bowls
👉 Visit us in Avalon Beach or browse online for nationwide shipping
References
Harvard Health: Benefits of cold water therapy
