If you have seen "cryotherapy" or "cold therapy" showing up next to skincare products lately, you are not imagining the trend. In skincare, "cryotherapy" or "cold therapy" generally refers to using a cooling mask, roller, tool, or chilled formula as part of a skincare routine. It is designed to give skin a refreshed, cooled feel rather than to change anything below the surface.
This guide covers what cryotherapy for skin actually means, how it is typically used, and what to look for if you are adding a cold therapy step to your own routine.
How Cold Therapy Fits Into a Skincare Routine
Cryotherapy in skincare is less about clinical cold exposure and more about a cooling sensory experience layered onto an existing step. A few common formats include:
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Cooling hydrogel masks, which are worn for a set amount of time and are designed to feel cool to the touch throughout wear
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Chilled rollers or globes, cooled according to the tool's instructions and rolled across the face
Cooling hydrogel masks are the most routine-friendly of these formats, since they layer serum delivery and a cooling feel into one step, similar to how a traditional sheet mask works, but with a gel base designed to stay in closer contact with skin for the full wear time. If you want a broader comparison of mask formats before picking one, our guide to different types of face masks breaks down how hydrogel, sheet, and clay formats compare.
What Cryotherapy Skincare Can Help With
A cooling step is generally used for skin that looks or feels overheated, stressed, or in need of a reset. Depending on the format, a cold therapy step may help support:
- A calmer look for skin that appears flushed or overheated
- A refreshed, cooled feel after a long day, a workout, or travel
- A plumper-looking appearance when the cooling format is combined with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid
If your skin tends to flush easily, our post on choosing the best face mask for redness goes deeper into which formats and ingredients tend to work well for reactive-looking skin.
Who Cryotherapy Skincare Is a Good Fit For
Some cooling skincare formats may work well for sensitive skin, particularly when paired with a gentle, fragrance-free formula. As with any new product, the full ingredient list and method of use matter. Since cold therapy skincare relies on temperature and hydration rather than active exfoliation, it pairs well with a gentle, fragrance-free routine. If you are unsure whether your skin qualifies as sensitive or want a fuller checklist before choosing a mask, our guide to face masks for sensitive skin walks through what to look for.
If your skin barrier feels compromised, knowing what to expect matters. Our post on how long it takes to repair your skin barrier breaks down what a stressed barrier can look like and gentler steps that may help during that time.
Rael's Approach to Cooling Hydrogel Masks
Rael's Cryo + Soothing Hydrogel Mask is built on the same anti-slip hydrogel platform used across the line, with a proprietary embossed design made to better conform to facial contours, addressing one of the most common complaints with sheet masks: slippage during wear.
It delivers a cooling, refreshed feel in a single hydrogel step, using the same anti-slip platform as Rael's Collagen + PDRN mask. It's part of a four-mask hydrogel lineup that also includes Glutathione Brightening and Blemish Recovery formulas.
If you want to explore the full hydrogel format before deciding which mask fits your routine, our Korean hydrogel sheet masks collection page is a good next stop.
How to Add a Cryo Hydrogel Mask to Your Routine
- Cleanse skin so the mask has a clean surface to work with.
- Apply the mask according to the wear time listed on the packaging.
- Leave on for the recommended wear time, then remove.
- Follow with a moisturizer or barrier cream to help lock in hydration.
- Use a few times a week, or anytime skin looks like it needs a reset.
FAQs
Is cryotherapy for skin the same as whole-body cryotherapy?
No. Whole-body cryotherapy involves brief exposure to very cold air in a specialized chamber. Cryotherapy for skin refers to a much milder cooling step, usually through a mask, roller, or chilled formula, used as part of a skincare routine.
How often can I use a cooling hydrogel mask?
Most cooling hydrogel masks are designed for a few uses a week, or anytime skin looks like it could use a refreshed, calmer feel. Check your specific product's packaging for wear time and frequency guidance.
Does cold therapy skincare work for sensitive skin?
Some cooling skincare formats may work well for sensitive skin, particularly when paired with a gentle, fragrance-free formula. Check the full ingredient list and patch test any new product before applying it to your full face.
Do I need to refrigerate a cryo hydrogel mask?
It depends on the product. Some cooling hydrogel masks are formulated to deliver a cooling feel without refrigeration, while other cold therapy tools, like rollers or globes, are designed to be chilled beforehand. Check your product's instructions to confirm.
Can I use a cooling mask with other skincare steps?
Yes. A cooling hydrogel mask can typically be layered into an existing routine, either as a standalone reset a few times a week or alongside other steps like cleansing and moisturizing.
Are the effects of cryotherapy for skin permanent?
No. At-home cold therapy is generally used for a temporary cooling, refreshed look and feel. How noticeable the effect is and how long it lasts can vary by person and by the type of cooling product or tool used.
