Does Frozen Cucumber Belong In Your Skincare Regimen? Here’s What Experts Say
On TikTok, creators are using frozen cucumbers in place of ice rollers, and say the vegetable can provide added skincare benefits.
Experts said cucumbers could lead to short-term hydrating or skin-soothing benefits.
But experts don’t recommend using frozen cucumber on the face, as it could cause inflammation, allergic reactions, dehydration, or ice burns.
Whether it’s the quintessential spa treatment of sliced cucumbers over the eyes or the latest TikTok hack, cucumbers have long been associated with skincare. But is the vegetable actually helpful for your skin?
On TikTok, creators are finding new ways to incorporate cucumbers into their skincare regiments—in particular, many people say freezing them can lead to a host of benefits.
In a viral video posted last month, creator Addie Beckman explained she uses the blunt end of a frozen cucumber to help make her skin look “glowy and beautiful.”
“It has a ton of added benefits that normal ice or ice rollers don’t have,” she explained. These perks, according to Beckman, include added hydration, a cooling effect, and a reduction in inflammation.
Fellow TikToker Selina da Silva posted a video in which she rubbed a frozen cucumber on her face, calling it a “natural gua sha.” Since it was posted in May, the video has garnered over 10 million views.
Though the low cost and simplicity may tempt people to give this skincare hack a try, experts warn that frozen cucumbers may not actually improve your skin.
“Cucumbers can offer hydration, but there can be irritating side effects, too,” Kim Chang, an aesthetician at the Baylor College of Medicine, told Health.
How Does the Frozen Cucumber Hack Work?
While there’s no official process, this frozen cucumber hack is fairly straightforward—most people simply slice off one end of a cucumber, place it in the freezer, then rub the flat end of the cucumber on their face, as if they were using an ice roller.
There is some variation, however. Some creators put the frozen cucumber on their skin in short bursts, while others recommend leaving the vegetable on for longer periods of time.
Other creators freeze slices of cucumber and then place them on their faces, almost akin to using silicone patches.
Whether it’s whole or in slices, frozen cucumber has garnered a lot of attention online for its alleged skincare benefits. Most commonly, people claim the vegetable can reduce puffiness, reduce signs of aging, soothe sunburn, prevent acne, hydrate skin, and tamp down on hyperpigmentation.
Can Cucumbers Really Do Anything for Your Skin?
It is true that cucumbers could have some positive effects on the skin, explained Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
“Cucumbers have a high water content, which is why they are commonly applied to the skin to hydrate and soothe,” Zeichner told Health. “When taken directly from the fridge, the cooling sensation also helps constrict blood vessels and improve puffiness.”
Using something cold to constrict blood vessels can help “the skin calm down from workouts and heat,” said Chang. Also, this blood vessel narrowing, or vasoconstriction effect, may make the skin look tighter, said Doris Day, MD, author and clinical associate professor of dermatology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
However, the hype around applying cucumbers to your skin is largely just that, experts agreed.
Any hydrating or cooling effects a person might get from placing a frozen cucumber on their skin they could also get from an ice cube, Zeichner said.
Something else to consider: This hack’s impact doesn’t last, Day told Health. Any skin-tightening a person sees from the cool cucumber is only temporary, she explained.
And though cucumbers do have natural soothing elements such as antioxidants and vitamins, the skin may not even be able to absorb them, Chang warned.
“Products used on top of the skin will need some type of delivery mechanism to aid in the penetration process,” she said.
Add Cucumber to Your Diet, Not Your Skincare Regimen
Placing cucumbers on your skin could lead to some short-term skincare benefits, however, experts cautioned that people should stay away from this hack—in fact, using cucumber on your face could even make your skin health worse.
For one, cucumbers can cause skin inflammation, especially for people with conditions such as eczema, acne, or psoriasis, said Chang.
Another big concern is the risk of ice burns, said Day.
“Short contact with cold temperatures should not be problematic,” Zeichner added. “But extended exposures can actually be damaging, leading to conditions like frostnip, frostbite, or even the break down of fat under the skin.”
Day noted that leaving room-temperature cucumbers on your skin could be an issue, too. Despite cucumbers’ reputation for being hydrating, leaving them on for too long could actually dehydrate your skin, she said.
“As the water from the cucumber dries off the skin, it will pull water off of your skin and will end up drying it out further,” said Day.
There’s also a risk that cucumbers could carry bacteria that could irritate the skin, especially around sensitive areas such as the eyes or mouth, Chang said.
“There have been many cases where patients have come into the clinic due to an allergic reaction from rubbing cucumbers on their face and placing it over their eyes,” she explained.
Ultimately, experts agree that this beauty hack isn’t really worth your time.
To reap the hydrating and cooling benefits of frozen cucumber, Zeichner recommended people stick with traditional cold metal or stone face rollers. These don’t tend to get as cold as cucumbers “and are likely a safer option for the face,” he said.
And if the promise of additional antioxidants and vitamins from cucumber skincare is appealing, it’s best to simply get these perks from eating the vegetable.
“The best way to use a cucumber for skin health is to eat it or mix it into your smoothie,” Chang said.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
