The 12 Best Ice Globes of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

You likely began ice rolling after seeing your favorite beauty guru gliding their face with the cooling tool. Dr. Heidi Prather, M.D., tells InStyle the practice “makes sense and works.” Also called ice globes, they’re easy to use, portable, and a quick fix for de-puffing, firming, and soothing skin whenever you’re in need. The ice roller may be the least complex facial tool to add to your skincare routine. Just chill it in the refrigerator or freezer and glide the tool on your skin, covering the areas where you notice more irritation, redness, and puffiness. Using ice rollers provides an invigorating experience, resulting in sculpted, radiant, and glowing skin. 

To assess the efficacy of ice globes, we tested 20 over four weeks for  300 hours. We enlisted 20 editors with different skin types to participate in our test, scoring the ice globes by ease of use, effectiveness, quality, and overall results.

Our Top Picks

What We Love: We loved that it had two ends: one for the under-eye and nose area, and one for the jawline and cheekbones.

What We Don’t Love: We found that it provided short-term results only.

This small but mighty cryo roller sculpted our face, de-puffed skin, and tightened our pores. We kept it in the freezer and used it in the mornings to wake our skin up and even in the afternoon for a midday pick-me-up. We noticed our skin looked flushed and glowing after each use, and it diminished any puffiness immensely. It truly felt like an at-home spa treatment that we couldn’t wait to receive every day. When we applied pressure during our rolling sessions, it felt equivalent to a mini massage—which was incredible around our jawlines and at the base of our neck—especially when we had headaches or any tension. 

The tool was very sturdy and easy to incorporate into our skincare routine. It wasn’t heavy, but felt super durable and like it would last for a pretty long time. Our favorite part was that there were two ends to the ice roller. The small end was perfect to use around our eyes and nose, while the larger part worked well along our jawline and cheekbones. The results are pretty immediate, although we can’t really speak to any long-term effects, just yet. Stay tuned, because this is a practice we love so much, it will be easy to keep up with. 

Best for: Sculpting | Material: Stainless Steel | Freezable? Yes

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  InStyle / Kate Donovan

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  InStyle / Kate Donovan

What We Love: We noticed it de-puffed our skin each time we used it.

What We Don’t Love: It didn’t stay cold for extended use.

We’re here to debunk the myth that only the most expensive skincare tools provide results—case in point: the Maange Ice Roller is not only effective, it’s super affordable. At just $10, this pretty pink ice roller with a stainless steel head helps with many of your skincare woes, mostly with depuffing. 

We used this ice roller all over our face and it reduced puffiness each time we used it. It was also really easy to use, its handle felt comfortable as we glided it across our skin, and the head helped our under-eye puffiness disappear each morning. Further, we appreciated how soothing it felt and how easily it could calm our skin. 

During the time we used the ice roller, our skin felt completely refreshed and calm. It didn’t stay cold for very long, making it less effective at  sculpting than other options on our list, but if you’re looking to try out ice rolling and don’t want to invest in the practice, this option is a great place to start. 

Best for: De-puffing | Material: Stainless steel | Freezable? Yes

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  InStyle / Courtney Thompson

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  InStyle / Courtney Thompson

What We Love: We loved how the large size of the globes delivered an instant cooling effect.

What We Don’t Love: It took some time getting used to handling the large-sized globes.

Most ice globes need to be chilled before taking effect, however with this model, no pre-chilling is necessary. In fact, the coolness from the large glass globes was a shock at first, but as we got used to it, it felt incredible on our skin, especially around our sinus area. Within minutes of use our skin felt tighter and more awake, and then we started noticing how it helped with some puffiness around our eyes and cheeks. We enjoyed how sturdy the glass ice globes felt, and while dropping them was always in the back of our mind, since they were so comfortable to hold, that luckily didn’t occur. 

We saw some subtle differences with increased definition of our jaw and cheekbones, and loved using them to massage serums further into our skin. Ultimately, with some practice we got used to handling the wide globes, and loved being able to cover so much of our face with a few strokes. These are an exceptional pick for keeping stashed in your purse if you’re on-the-go since they don’t need to be pre-chilled.

Best for: Tightening | Material: Glass | Freezable? No

What We Love: We love the style of the cryo set and how they de-puffed our skin.

What We Don’t Love: At times it felt a little too cold to use on our skin.

If we’re going to splurge on any skincare tool, it’s going to be this Cryo Facial Set from celeb facialist, Angela Caglia. These gold cryo tools are worth your time and money because they’re foolproof to use. We loved the arrows that show you where to put the tools on your skin and which direction to move them. The handles were super easy to hold, too: not too big, not too small, just right.

Our skin felt very tight and radiant after each use, and we noticed that it had a healthy glow to it. We applied our go-to serum and moisturizer to our skin while using the globes, which was an invigorating experience we loved recreating every day.

While the cold feeling of the cryo facial set resulted in noticeable skin enhancements, at times, we thought they felt a tad too cold. We recommend taking short breaks between rolls, and gradually working yourself up so you can embrace the chilling sensation. 

Best for: Sculpting | Material: Gold plated | Freezable? Yes

What We Love: The roller piece was removable, making it easy to wash and place in the freezer.

What We Don’t Love: It was a little too cold at times and would stick to our skin.

We can’t help but rave about this tool. While it’s more of a minimal design, it effectively de-puffs skin for a tighter look. Plus—it gets the job done at an affordable price.

Using this ice roller was very pleasant, and our favorite part about it was that we could detach the roller piece out to wash it or even store it in a freezer with little room to spare. It was also surprisingly easy to glide around our face. We saw a decrease in inflammation in our blemishes as we continued to use it, as well as an immediate all-over radiance. However, the roller would get so cold that it stuck to our skin. Ultimately, this isn’t a dealbreaker, especially at the price. We do recommend using it with an oil or serum to prevent this happening as you roll. 

Best for: De-puffing | Material: Plastic | Freezable? Yes

What We Love: The stainless steel prevents bacterial breakouts and is easy to keep clean. 

What We Don’t Love: We didn’t visibly notice any differences after using it.

Kitsch’s Ice Roller is a no-brainer for one reason: it’s made with stainless steel, an easy to clean material that prevents the buildup of bacteria on your skin. We fully trusted this roller to not give us breakouts, and it didn’t let us down. 

We placed the roller in the freezer upon receiving it, and placed it back in after using it. While it definitely felt cold on our skin, it was also very refreshing. As expected, it was also really easy to clean. There’s no denying that this ice roller felt incredible on your skin, but other than a slight glow and radiance, it wasn’t as effective at reducing puffiness compared to other options we tested, but if you have acne-prone skin, we wouldn’t trust our complexion to any other type of roller.

Best for: Soothing | Material: Stainless steel | Freezable? Yes

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  InStyle / Sheila Tong

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  InStyle / Sheila Tong

What We Love: A removable head makes it easy to keep clean.

What We Don't Love: This pick is less effective at tightening or contouring skin.

There’s absolutely no learning curve with this tool, and it’s easy to care for, even if you’ve never used any type of facial tool. There are instructions to explain how to take the head on and off, allowing us to thoroughly clean it after each use. We noticed that our skin looked calmer after one use, and with zero redness, which makes it an excellent choice for those with broken capillaries or rosacea. The refreshing feeling post-use was lovely, making it easy to incorporate into our skincare ritual. Because there’s so little redness associated with their use, these are an excellent choice for facial massage to help stimulate circulation. 

Best for: Circulation | Material: Plastic | Freezable? Yes

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  InStyle / Dera Burreson

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  InStyle / Dera Burreson

What We Love: The cooling tools made our skin feel refreshed.

What We Don’t Love: Divots make sculpting the cheek area tricky at first.

Let’s face it, glass skincare tools can be intimidating, but these were easy enough to handle that we immediately got over the fear of potentially dropping them (which we didn't, whew!). The shape of the cool globes are a bit different than the others we tested out, with circular-shaped indentations that were super effective under the eye area. The divots made sculpting around the cheekbones a bit more difficult, but once you get used to maneuvering them, it gets easier. The set was excellent at providing our skin with a cooling sensation, which was meditative and made our entire body feel calm and ready to tackle the day ahead. 

Best for: Cooling | Material: Glass | Freezable? No

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  InStyle / Kathleen Tenefrancia

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  InStyle / Kathleen Tenefrancia

What We Love: Real ice in these rollers delivers transformative results for tightening the skin.

What We Don’t Love: Once the ice melts, the rollers get difficult to use.

What better way to de-puff, sculpt, and tighten your skin than using literal ice? Take your skin through the ultimate workout with the CryoRoll Ice Facia by SkinGym for instant results. This facial tool is a relatively simple idea that’s absolutely genius. 

We filled the silicone container with water, froze it for up to 15 minutes and often overnight, and then proceeded to glide it across our skin. It was definitely a shock to the system at first, but we noticed instant benefits after each use: decrease in puffiness, tighter, and smoother skin. We even saw our acne diminish and add a lasting glow to our skin.

It’s safe to say we were greatly impressed with the CyroRoll’s short- and long-term results, however, one downside we experienced was that it began to melt shortly after coming in contact with our skin. This was expected, so we made sure to use the ice roller over a sink or towel to prevent any drippage on our clothes. 

Best for: Tightening | Material: Silicone handle | Freezable? Yes

What We Love: It soothed our skin instantly. 

What We Don’t Love: Our skin looked red from the cold roller.

This is our new go-to for targeting specific areas of our face like our cheekbones, jaw, and under-eyes. Our favorite aspect is the silicone cap that protects the egg-shaped rolling barrel. Just knowing that the part that we’ll be using on our skin was covered and not accumulating bacteria was very reassuring. The roller was very sturdy and solid, for that reason, we felt like we were in the spa getting a massage—it was phenomenal. 

The morning was the best time to use this tool. It de-puffed our skin and tightened and contoured the areas we used it on instantly, seemingly helping with lymphatic drainage. Our journey with this product was pretty smooth sailing, although it may be too cold for those starting out with cold therapy practices, which is why we suggest its use for only one portion of your face at a time. However, the intense cooling effect makes this product excellent for visibly snatching your features. 

Best for: Contouring | Material: Stainless steel | Freezable? Yes

What We Love: It covered a larger area of our skin at once, minimizing the amount of time we needed to use it to see results. 

What We Don’t Love: It was almost too cold for comfort at times.

The “it” girl of ice rollers, this model is all over your social feed. There was absolutely no learning curve as soon as we popped it out of the freezer and rolled it on our skin. It is a bit bulkier than others, but that didn't affect how easy it was to use. Its handle is made from silicone, so it was really comfortable to grip for a controlled roll. 

It easily de-puffed our skin within a minute of using it. Since it is a larger ice roller, we liked how it covered a wider area of skin at once, which was great when we wanted to minimize redness and swelling in a pinch. Do note that when you use it directly on skin out of the freezer, expect to feel a little bit of discomfort until you’re used to the sensation.  

Best for: De-puffing | Material: Aluminum head, silicone base | Freezable? Yes

What We Love: The rectangular shape of the rollers make these ideal for all areas of the face. 

What We Don’t Love: It warmed up pretty quickly. 

The first thing we noticed when using these was how quickly they de-puffed the under-eye area. It was as effective at chiseling the jawline and sculpting cheekbones. There was zero tugging or pulling of the skin while gliding the ice rollers over our skin. In fact, their coldness was invigorating and very much welcomed each morning. With that being said, they didn’t stay cold for long, and warmed up within minutes of use. Ultimately, this wasn’t a dealbreaker, because you can cover your entire face during this period; we just wouldn’t recommend it for an extended cold massage. 

Best for: De-puffing | Material: Plastic handle, stainless steel roller| Freezable? Yes

Our Testing Process

First, we scoured the internet for the top-rated ice rollers that provide benefits for any and all skin types and concerns. Then, we selected the top 20 ice rollers and had 20 editors test them out over the span of four weeks. The editors implemented the ice rollers into their daily routine, and rated their product based on attributes such as their ease of use to determine things like how easily the tool handled. In testing the tool’s effectiveness, we considered how well it worked to de-puff, sculpt, and soothe skin. We took into account any sensitivity or effects prior to use, and also how long each tool stayed cool. Collectively, our editors spent about 310 hours testing the tools and monitoring daily and long-term results before narrowing our list down to the top 12 best ice rollers. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does ice rolling do?

  “Ice rolling is a pretty simple concept, and it does many things for your skin,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nazanin Saedi, M.D. says. The technique involves using a cold facial roller on the skin, providing a cooling effect, which helps with reducing facial lines, eye puffiness, tightening of the pores, improved blood circulation, and soothing or irritated skin. It can also help relieve headaches and migraines.

  Dr. Saedi says ice rolling helps to reduce puffiness while minimizing redness by “causing the blood vessels to contract,” and said that the act in combination with the cold roller “also helps with lymphatic drainage to help reduce swelling.”

  When it comes to lymphatic drainage, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Prather says, “Light directional massage can help open the valves of the lymphatic system and encourage flow and drainage to not only improve circulation but also decrease swelling and puffiness.” 

  It can be super helpful for under the eyes, too. Since the lymphatic drainage there is slow. “People tend to have puffiness develop under their eyes,” Dr. Saedi says. “Ice rolling in the direction away from the center of the face will help with puffiness and lymphatic drainage under the eyes.” 

• When is the best time to ice roll your face?

  “This is great to do first thing in the morning and before bed,” Dr. Prather explains. In the morning, since our face tends to be a bit puffier than normal from retaining fluid overnight, it could be more beneficial to start your day with a nice ice rolling session. 

  
  The soothing feeling that an ice roller delivers can have a de-puffing effect. Board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Marisa Garshick, M.D., FAAD shares that using the product in the morning can help to “tighten the overall appearance of the skin,” while also acting as a calming factor for “redness” and to assist in reducing inflammation “as it helps to constrict the blood vessels.” 

  
  Dr. Garshick adds that in addition to the cold, “the added roller benefit helps to facilitate lymphatic drainage to reduce additional puffiness.” 

  
  However, you can really use an ice roller on your skin whenever you want to. “If you have time during your lunch break and your skin feels fatigued, this is another great time to splash on some hydrating serums and ice roll for a few minutes,” Dr. Prather suggests.

Why Shop With Us

Sydney Wingfield has been a beauty writer for five years, and has worked with various beauty brands for just as long. She has tested and reviewed a multitude of skincare products and tools, including all types of ice rollers and globes throughout her career. For this article, she interviewed board-certified dermatologists Dr. Heidi Prather, M.D., FAAD, Dr. Nazanin Saed, M.D., and Dr. Marisa Garshick, M.D., FAAD to help determine the best ice rollers for your skin type and concerns. 

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