From porridge balls stuck to armpits and crushed carob pods rubbed into the skin, humans have always been creative when attempting to find the best deodorant to mask their natural scents.

Ancient Egyptians reportedly mixed ostrich eggs, nuts, tamarisk, and ground tortoiseshell into a paste using fat so as to disguise their bodily odours, whilst others tried perfumes, oils and salts for the job.

Nowadays, we’re lucky enough to be able to enjoy a range of deodorants and antiperspirants when it comes to staying fresh throughout the day. There are balms, sprays, roll-ons, creams, and more and while having a choice is great, it can be a tad confusing and overwhelming.

Below we’ve handpicked what we consider to be the best deodorants for women, with a particular focus on natural, and aluminium-free options to suit all budgets.

Best deodorant for women UK

1. Proverb Natural Deodorant  – from £12
2. GoBo Natural Deodorant – £9.99
3. Aesop Natural Deodorant – £23
4. Fussy Deodorant – from £13
5. Salt of the Earth Deodorant – from £6.49
6. SANS– Deodorant – from £25
7. Mio Skincare Pit Proof Deodorant – £12
8. Wild Deodorant – from £12
9. AKT London: The Natural Deodorant Balm  – £16.15  
10. Drunk Elephant: Sweet Pitti Deodorant Cream – £13

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Editor’s Pick: Proverb Natural Deodorant 

£15 (or £12 per month) | Buy now

Proverb

Why we love it: For months, Wild’s subscription service has been our favorite deodorant yet it was recently usurped by Proverb and its range of plant-based, vegan, aluminum-free refills. Not only do Proverb deodorants not contain aerosol gases, petroleum or parabens, but their 70g refills are the largest on the market, meaning a single stick will last you a minimum of around eight weeks.

However, we’ve been using ours for six months and counting and it’s still going strong, making Proverb superb value for money.

There are two formulations – Core and Active – and they each come in three scents: Wild Mint and Eucalyptus, Coconut and Tonka, and sensitive and unfragranced. The scents last all day and allow you to sweat without overdrying the skin, but without making you feel uncomfortable. What’s more, you only need a small amount to keep you dry – which explains why it lasts so long.

A starter pack, which includes the case and a refill, costs £15, or £12 on a subscription. Two scents and a case cost £30. Individual refills cost £15 as a one-off purchase, or £12 for a subscription. Replacement cases then cost a fiver each in either yellow, white, black or grey.

mamabella readers get free shipping when ordered via this link

Buy now from Proverb

Budget Buy: GoBo Natural Deodorant

£9.99 | Buy now

GoBo

Why we love it: Available from just £9.99, you would be forgiven for thinking GoBo’s deodorant is nothing more than functional, but its economic pricing actually encompasses a whole range of plus points that make it extraordinarily good value for money.

Both vegan and cruelty-free, the natural AHA deodorant is also free from aluminium, alcohol and essential oils, making it ideal for those with more sensitive skin. It comes in a range of 100% natural floral water options (both scented and unscented) including: Orange Blossom, Rose, Jasmin, Original, and For Men. You can read more about this in our best deodorant for men guide.

In addition to its range of fabulous fragrances, GoBo helps correct pigmentation and prevents ingrown hairs, so it’s no wonder Good Housekeeping voted it their 2021 #1 Natural Deodorant. These reasons, coupled with its fantastic price point mean we couldn’t recommend a better deodorant that’s both natural and affordable.

FURTHER READING: The truth about the acids lurking in your skincare – from hyaluronic, to glycolic, lactic and salicylic

Buy now from GoBo

Luxury Buy: Aesop

£23 | Buy now

Aesop

Why we love it: Aesops’ products have long been renowned for their simple elegance, uncomplicated design, and technologically backed cultivation – and this deodorant is no different. In keeping with the brands’ complementary combination of beauty and practicality, the deodorant lives up to its name, earning cult status with its irresistible coupling of nature and technology and equally irresistible scent. 

Offering a delightfully fresh, botanical aroma that is at once herbal and clean, Aesop’s deodorant can be worn by all genders.

It’s also aluminium-free and, if you’re an Aesop fan, it will look wonderfully chic alongside your other bathroom products. A must-try for a deliciously scented, luxury deodorant that will complete any collection of stylishly designed toiletries. 

FURTHER READING: Best beauty subscription boxes UK: From Lookfantastic to Cohorted, which beauty boxes are worth your money?

Buy now from Aesop

Fussy Natural Deodorant for B.O

From £13 | Buy now

Fussy

Another natural deodorant stick that recently soared in popularity thanks to its founders appearing on Dragon’s Den (and getting investment from two of the Dragons), is Fussy.

A monthly subscription costs £13 for a case plus one refill and then £15 for three refills once every three months. Alternatively, you can buy the case and two refills at a one-off purchase, for £20, while a case and four refills cost £32.

All of the refills are made using natural ingredients and are free of parabens, and aluminum.

They’re also vegan and cruelty-free. Fussy cases are made from recycled plastic, and the refills are all compostable.

The cases come in six colours – Midnight, Mint Green, Ocean Blue, Burnt Orange, Blush and Lilac colours – and there are then seven refill scents to choose from:

• Tropic Tonic: Lime, Basil and Mandarin
• Wide-Eyed Citrus: Mandarin, grapefruit and black pepper
• Wavy Days: Eucalyptus, Sage and Peppermint
• Cloud Nine: Cotton, Sandalwood and Vetiver
• Night Tales: Cedar, Cinnamon and Patchouli
• Sun Drunk: Vanilla, Ylang Ylang and Star Anise
• Bare All: Unscented

What sets Fussy apart from other natural deodorant offerings is that it’s what’s known as a probiotic deodorant. Each of us has our own microbiome which means our skin is teeming with bacteria that live in a delicate balance.

When we wash too much, use harsh chemicals, have showers that are too hot and more, we can disrupt this balance. This means the good bacteria are replaced by bad bacteria and this is what causes us to smell – especially our armpits.

To restore this balance, Fussy contains a bacteria called Lactobacillus, found in yogurt and milk, which helps inhibit the growth of bad, odour-causing bacteria. This makes it a particularly great women’s deodorant for B.O.

Buy now from Fussy

Salt of the Earth Deodorant

From £6.49 | Buy now

Salt of the Earth

Made in the UK, affordable, vegan, and cruelty-free – the Salt of the Earth deodorant range ticks a lot of boxes.

Available in a wide range of forms, including a spray, roll-on, stick, balm, and a crystal version, as well as a range of scents, this natural deodorant was one of the first to launch way back in 1993.

In that time, it’s become vegan-certified by The Vegan Society and certified 100% natural by COSMOS.

It’s also cruelty-free, long-lasting, and won’t leave white marks on your clothes.

What’s more, you can buy large bottles of refills.

They don’t come cheap (around £20) but they allow you to refill your deodorant up to 10 times, which is a marked saving compared to buying the deodorants separately.

Plus, you’re helping save the planet by using less plastic.

Salt of the Earth’s deodorising power comes from the use of mineral salts, called potassium alum.

When you spray or apply this deodorant to your skin, it leaves a thin layer of these mineral salts that kills the odour-causing bacteria and leave you feeling and smelling fresh.

Once you’ve decided which type of deodorant you want, you then choose from a range of scents, including:

• Neroli & Orange Blossom
• Ocean & Coconut
• Lavender & Vanilla
• Melon & Cucumber
• Amber & Sandalwood
• Sweet Strawberry
• Peony Blossom
• Vetiver & Citrus
• Ginger & Jasmine

Buy now from Amazon

SANS– Deodorant

£25 for Starter Kit on subscription, £15 for refills | Buy now

SANS–

Why we love it: SANS– is a homegrown British deodorant brand built with sustainability and performance at its core.

Its natural deodorant refills are aluminium-, phthalates-, PEGs- and paraben-free. They’re also vegan and cruelty-free with SANS– being an approved PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies and Vegan Society licencee.

These are the most prestigious and well-regarded standards in the vegan and cruelty-free sectors and they both guarantee that SANS– products are never tested on animals, nor do they contain any animal byproducts.

Elsewhere, the packaging for its deodorant is made from FSC-certified cardboard, meaning it can be recycled after use. SANS– has aditionally partnered with an charity called 1% for the Planet and commits to donating 1% of all of its profits to sustainable initiatives and rewilding schemes globally.

In terms of fragrances, SANS– deodorants don’t offer as many as some other brands in this list but what they do offer is suitable for both men and women. These fragrances include:

• 18th Orchard – grapefruit, orange and rosemary
• Pinacea – rose, mandarin, cedarwood and geranium
• Twig & Blossom – bergamot, lemon, petitgrain, neroli, cardamom

This deodorant slides on well. In fact, it glides on even easier than other aluminium-free deodorants we’ve tried – namely Wild – and despite the fact it’s much smaller and compact in size, it means it lasts longer than we expected. We finished a capsule in just over a month, when used daily and it kept us feeling fresh and didn’t rub off on our clothes as other deodorants do.

Buy now from SANS–

Mio Skincare Pit Proof deodorant 

£12 | Buy now

Mio Skincare

Mio’s Pit Proof Natural Deodorant is an aluminium-free balm made from minerals that naturally reduce moisture. Its sugar shield technology then uses the sugars found naturally in the ingredients in its formula to create a protective layer over the skin on your armpits.

This not only stops bacteria from getting in, but it also helps control body odour because it’s the bacteria that cause the smell. Not sweat.

Fragrance-wise, this Pit Proof deodorant contains eucalyptus and Siberian pine essential oils to give it a fresh, natural scent. These oils are complemented by Indian Fig extract, Monk’s Pepper Berry, and Sweet Almond Oil.

The latter in particular makes this deodorant great for sensitive or broken skin. Elsewhere, it also contains a naturally deodorising active called Lichen Extract.

Buy now from Mio Skincare

Wild Deodorant 

From £12 | Buy now

Wild

Why we love it: Effective, sustainable, and conveniently practical, Wild’s natural deodorant is as good for our planet as it is for our armpits – and it’s small enough to fit through your letterbox with zero fuss!

Wild’s soap-bar-sized deodorants come packaged in a reusable and elegantly simple case that’s both plastic-free and compostable, and the range of fragrances available is sure to set your mouth-watering even if you can’t actually give them a nibble.

You can choose from Fresh Cotton and Sea Salt, Rhubarb and Raspberry, Orange and Neroli, Jasmine and Mandarin Blossom, Bergamot and Grapefruit, Coconut and Vanilla, Mint and Eucalyptus or Sandalwood and Patchouli when picking your scent – a range that’s sure to include something for every mood, occasion, and preference.

With an ethos of ‘Arms up, waste down’, what’s not to love?

FURTHER READING: Wild deodorant review: Can this vegan, aluminium-free natural deodorant really keep us fresh all day long?

Buy now from Wild

AKT London: The Natural Deodorant Balm  

From £16.15 | Buy now

AKT London

Why we love it: It’s easy to pick out products for a standalone winning feature, less so to find one that has the whole package. With AKT’s Deodorant Balm, we think we’ve got one that comes pretty close.

Vegan, cruelty- and aluminium salt-free, it’s a deodorant balm that’s good for both animals and our bodies; 100% plastic-free and recyclable, it’s also good for the planet.

Impressed? The balm additionally leaves no marks on clothes, meaning the underarms of your shirts and jackets will remain stain-free. Really impressed? It can also be applied to any areas that might need protection, so we’re not just talking about underarms, think feet, forehead, chest, and so on.

Its moisturising formula comes in Orange Grove, containing a combination of petitgrain, mandarin and neroli; After Thunder, containing cedar, eucalyptus and orange; or The Onsen, which contains vetiver, lavandin and citrus. All three promise to keep you dry throughout the day and are suitable for all genders. 

FURTHER READING: Clean beauty: What are clean beauty products and how can I shop more consciously?

Buy now from AKT

Drunk Elephant: Sweet Pitti Cream

£13 | Buy now

Drunk Elephant

Why we love it: Gentle, soothing, and highly effective, we love this deodorant cream for simple reasons. It’s fragrance-free and formulated to be suitable for sensitive skin types, meaning it’s also free from baking soda, essential oils, and aluminium-derived ingredients.

Applied once a day to clean, dried skin it will leave you smelling fresh and odour-free as you go about your daily activities. So, if you’re looking for a dependable, soft deodorant cream that comes in attractive packaging at an affordable price, look no further.

Buy now from Cult Beauty

How do deodorants and antiperspirants work? 

Deodorants work to combat odours by masking them with their own scent. Antiperspirants aim to reduce the amount of sweat produced in the first place.

Deodorants fall under the cosmetics category and antiperspirants alternatively classify as a ‘drug’, being regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Both deodorants and antiperspirants work to keep you smelling clean throughout your day so you can go about your normal business without the awkward embarrassment of a pongy pit.

READ NEXT: How to layer your skincare: Knowing the best skincare order will help make the most of your products

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Lara Webster

After earning a 2.1 in BA English and Classical Literature from the University of Bristol, Lara went onto online proofreading and SEO courses. Over the past five years, she has worked in PR (creating newsletters, press releases, and articles for media distribution), while moonlighting as a Social Media Specialist and Lead Content Writer where she has respectively written articles and guides, and created and scheduled various social media calendars. She is now a Content Writer for a sustainable beauty brand, working alongside PR and Marketing team to strategise and create content. You can find more of her work here.

The post Best deodorant for women UK: 10 of the best smelling, most effective deodorants and antiperspirants for women  appeared first on mamabella.

Consumers no longer want to settle for a “one-size-fits-all approach” and most of us want personalised skincare, makeup, and haircare that meets our individual needs.

Plus, with the science behind tailored formulations and their developments becoming more accessible, the beauty industry has seen a rise in the number of brands offering personalised services.

Below we take a look at the best ways to get hold of customised beauty products. We also list the best skincare builders – these are sites that don’t offer individually personalised products, but help you create personalised routines.

FURTHER READING: How to get free skincare samples in the UK online and in stores | How to get free foundation samples online

Customised Beauty

From online skincare consultations to hair quizzes promising to determine your ultimate routine, there are now readily available options for customising your beauty products and finding treatments, products, and services tailored to your own unique needs.

︎ Skincare

Get customised skincare products sent through the post.

Skin + Me

Take the Skin+Me skincare test

JOANA GAUER/Skin+Me

What is it?: Skin + Me enables you to skip the dermatologist appointment whilst still benefiting from scientifically proven, prescription-strength ingredients

Price: From £19.99 a month.

What customised beauty services does it offer?: Skin +Me‘s subscriptions are shipped monthly to your door and all products come in packaging made from infinitely recyclable aluminum and card from FSC-registered forests. You can read more about this in our recycle logo quiz.

As these shipments are made-to-order, it means your Skin + Me prescriptions allow you to avoid retail markups as well as wasted products and packaging. With tailored ingredients suited to your skin type and its ever-changing needs, Skin + Me’s treatment plan also adapts and evolves in line with your skin’s requirements, with a promise to reformulate your cream for free if anything changes with your skin.

What quizzes or consultations do you need to do?: To receive your informed, tailored skincare treatment, you must complete Skin + Me’s online consultation.

This comes in the form of a multiple choice quiz, where you advise of your skin goals (to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve brightness and elasticity, combat rosacea, etc.), your age and gender, skin sensitivity, skin type (oily, dry combination, etc.) and, based on the Fitzpatrick scale, your skin colouring too!

In addition to this, the consultation asks you to submit responses relating to your lifestyle, skin confidence, and any other prescription treatments or medication you might be taking. Following this, you’re asked to create an account and away you go.

What you get sent and how often: If you prove to be eligible for a prescription, Skin + Me will send you a monthly ‘Daily Doser’ containing your personalised cream solution, that can be cancelled, paused, or restarted at any time.

Find out more

Dermatica

Take the Dermatica skincare test

Dermatica

What is it?: Similarly to Skin + Me, Dermatica offers tailored skincare prescriptions suited to your individual skin goals and requirements.

Price: £19.99 per 28 days

What customised beauty services does it offer?: With a mission to make expert dermatology both accessible and affordable, Dermatica pairs its monthly prescription treatments with a support platform where customers are able to build relationships with Dermatica’s medical professionals, manage their treatments, and receive informed advice and guidance.

Its skincare subscription package promises personalised skincare solutions, evidence-based prescription medicines and ongoing expert support. In addition to its personalised subscription packages, Dermatica also offers a selection of ready-made products, including a Purifying Cleansing Gel, Ultralight Recovery Moisturiser, and Azelaic Acid 20%.

What quizzes or consultations do you need to do?: To get up and running with Dermatica, you must complete a five-step online consultation that includes providing information on your skin concerns, your health and medical background, activating an account, uploading photos of your skin concerns for progress tracking, and an analysis from the dermatology team to create the optimal formula suited to your needs.

What you get and how often: Dermatica sends you a custom formula consisting of proven prescription ingredients. This customised treatment plan is carefully moderated and adjusted over time in line with your skin’s changing needs. In addition to this, the subscription package includes easy delivery and ongoing, free dermatology consultations.

Find out more

Function of Beauty skincare

Take the Function of Beauty skincare quiz

Function of Beauty

What is it?: Function of Beauty started out as a customisable haircare brand – you can read more about their haircare quiz and range below – but it recently entered the world of skincare.  Similarly to Skin + Me and Dermatica, it offers tailored skincare suited to your goals and needs.

Price: £19 (cleanser); £44 (serum); £29 (moisturiser)

What customised beauty services does it offer?: At the time of writing, Function of Beauty offers a personalised cleanser, serum and moisturiser service.

What quizzes or consultations do you need to do?: To get your personalised Function of Beauty skincare, you need to take its Skin Serum Quiz. Questions range from asking what your skin type is, how often you wear makeup, and if your skin is sensitive. You’re then asked to pick your skin goals, and as you select them you’re shown the ingredients in the Function of Beauty serum that are designed to help with those concerns.

What you get and how often: If you sign up for a subscription, you’ll be charged £44 and sent a new bottle of serum every three months. If you subscribe, you’ll get free shipping. However, if you don’t want to subscribe, you can buy a one-off bottle. You’ll just need to pay £5 for shipping.

Find out more

︎ Haircare 

Get customised haircare products sent through the post.

Function of Beauty

Function of Beauty

What is it?: Function of Beauty provides customised shampoo and conditioner, promising to help you reach your hair goals.

What customised beauty services does it offer?: It formulates haircare products using ingredients that are selected to suit your hair structure, type, and moisture level, whilst also being suitable for your unique hair needs (fragrance-free, dye-free etc.). Function of Beauty also offers customised skincare and body products.

Price: £39 for a membership, with the order being resent every six months. As a new subscriber, receive a 20% discount and make your first purchase for £31.20.

What quizzes or consultations do you need to do?: Take a short online hair quiz to clarify what type of hair you have (curly, short, etc.), what your hair goals are (to volumize, straighten, brighten, strengthen, etc.)

Select a fragrance (or opt for fragrance-free), customise your products with a name and colour, and finally choose the size of your set, whether you want both shampoo and conditioner (or just one of either). You can also select whether you’d like to subscribe or purchase as a one-off.

What you get and how often: When you sign up to Function of Beauty with a Benefits’ membership, you receive 20% off your first 160oz hair set, early access to products, free shipping, and exclusive colours and fragrances.

Your order will automatically be replenished every six months and you are able to delay, pause or cancel the subscription at any time. Alternatively, you can purchase as a one-off and pay an additional £5 for the delivery costs.

Find out more

Prose

Take the Prose quiz (US only)

Prose

What is it?: This US-only brand combines natural ingredients with lab innovation and a track record for creating personalised hair products that work, offering you the chance to customise every product in your hair routine, from shampoos and conditioners right through to hair supplements and dry shampoos.

Price: The price varies depending on the product, but you will receive a 15% discount on each product when you subscribe as opposed to purchasing one-off items.

What customised beauty services does it offer?: Prose does this by factoring in everything from your hair type and goals, to your lifestyle, exercise routine, and even the weather in your hometown, continually combining your feedback with their R&D lab’s ingredients and formulation developments.

In addition to this, Prose is a certified B corporation, meaning that every time you shop with them, you’ll be buying from the first and only carbon-neutral custom beauty brand – exciting stuff!

What quizzes and consultations do you need to do: Complete an online hair consultation to submit your hair type, lifestyle, and hair goals. This includes everything from your age and hair concerns, hair washing, hair styling and exercise routine, to your diet, preference for vegan or silicone-free ingredients and favourite fragrances.

From this information, Prose creates a list of ingredients best suited to your tailored needs, and in turn, recommends a range of suitable products.

Depending on your results and answers, these products range from shampoo and scalp masks to leave-in conditioners, hair supplements, dry shampoos, and more.

What you get and how often: You can opt to buy any individual product as a one-off, or subscribe to receive this product more frequently. The subscription options include ordering 1, 2, or 3 of the products, once a month, once every two months, or once every three months.

Find out more

︎ Customised beauty: Makeup

Get customised makeup sent through the post.

Dcypher

Dcypher

What is it?: Dcypher creates foundation products that make battling to find the perfect foundation match a thing of the past.

What customised beauty services does it offer?: Paraben, sulphate, and cruelty-free, not to mention vegan, Dcypher’s foundation shades have been designed to match your unique skin shade.

In addition to finding a shade that actually matches your skin, Dcypher’s foundations can be customised to match your required moisture level, texture, and finish too.

As every one of their formulations is made within their lab, there are no set templates or uniform ingredients, meaning each foundation is entirely unique and personal to the customer. On top of this, Dcypher’s so confident you’ll love your match, they’ll give you your money back if you’re not totally satisfied.

What quizzes and consultations do you need to do: Dcypher’s one-minute online consultation entails a skin tone analysis before it customises your formula and shares your results. You are then able to select your products.

To analyse your skin tone, Dcypher requires that you submit make-up-free pictures of yourself taken in natural light, with no face shadows or glasses on. Three photos are taken to optimise your results, before you’re asked to enter your skin type (oily, balanced, or dry etc.), coverage preference (ultra sheer, sheer, medium, or full), and what finish you’re looking for (matte, natural, or radiant).

Finally, input your preferred undertone (warm to neutral, cool etc.), and you’re all set to review your formula.

What you get and how often: Upon completion of your online skin consultation, you’ll receive a custom foundation with a free trial foundation sample included. At checkout, you’ll have the option to add custom high drops and a professional complexion brush set to your order.

Price: A customised foundation costs £28, while a customised bottle of high-coverage drops cost £25. You can purchase a professional complexion brush set for £25 too. When you purchase a combination of items, you’ll receive a discount.

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Lara Webster

After earning a 2.1 in BA English and Classical Literature from the University of Bristol, Lara went onto online proofreading and SEO courses. Over the past five years, she has worked in PR (creating newsletters, press releases, and articles for media distribution), while moonlighting as a Social Media Specialist and Lead Content Writer where she has respectively written articles and guides, and created and scheduled various social media calendars. She is now a Content Writer for a sustainable beauty brand, working alongside PR and Marketing team to strategise and create content. You can find more of her work here.

The post Customised beauty: How to get personalised skincare, makeup and hair products tailored to YOU appeared first on mamabella.

Derived from the Greek ‘cryo’, meaning cold, and ‘therapia’ (therapy or cure), the treatment involves the use of extremely cold temperatures.  It can help remove and destroy abnormal tissue, or bring on what’s known as vasoconstriction – a fancy name for the narrowing of blood vessels under the skin.

The reason cryotherapy has become popular in the beauty world is that it has been linked with boosting metabolic rates and helping with weight loss. It’s also said to be great for treating the signs of ageing, inflammation, boosting energy, and immunity, helping you get better sleep, and can even have an impact on your mood.

Below we explain where the cryotherapy trend originated and the best ways to get all the benefits of the treatment either at home, or via a professional.

FURTHER READING: How to do facial massage at home – and why it could make or break your skincare routine

Cryotherapy: When and where did it come from? 

Whilst WBC (Whole Body Cryotherapy) as we know it was first put to use in 1978 by Dr Yamaguchi in Japan, the ancient Egyptians reportedly used cold therapy to treat injuries and inflammation as early as 2500 BC.

It wasn’t until 1845 however that Dr. James Arnott discovered that it was an effective treatment for migraines. It was even found that tumors can shrink when in contact with the cold. Since then, cryotherapy has been commercialised to help with a wide variety of aesthetic and physical ailments.

How does cryotherapy work?

When our skin is exposed to extreme cold, the sub-zero temperatures ‘shock’ our muscles into vasoconstriction.

During this process, the muscles surrounding our blood vessels contract. This tightens the space within our blood vessels and means less blood can flow through towards our skin. This, in turn, causes us to lose heat.

As the body works to conserve heat around our vital organs, the blood vessels in our extremities get cooler. This causes the white blood cells in our body to work faster in an attempt to protect us.

As the muscles in our extremities then open again – a process known as vasodilation – blood starts flowing towards them, causing a rise in temperature in our fingers and toes. This then prompts a new wave of vasoconstriction and the process continues. This is known as The Lewis Hunting Reaction, or hunting response.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

During this process, Ada Ooi, facialist and founder of 001 Skincare, notes that the cold shock sends “fresher blood to the targeted area… (and) more blood means more oxygen, and a richer nutrient delivery, which flushes away toxins and reduces water retention.” The result? A fresher, plumper, more rejuvenated complexion.

The physical reaction triggered by extreme cold can additionally prompt an increase in our collagen and elastin levels, two proteins that are essential for helping maintain skin’s structure and elasticity, and help reduce signs of aging.

As a result, cryotherapy can improve epidermal (the surface of the skin’s) firmness whilst the increased nutrient circulation within the blood helps enhance the complexion.

What’s more, the increased oxygen uptake, coupled with the surge of adrenaline and endorphins that come from the ‘cold shock’, can also help reduce fatigue and muscular pain. Many also find that the extreme cold helps clear the mind, jolting away ‘brain fog’, whilst their improved melatonin and serotonin hormone balance leads to better sleep quality after a session as well.

All while boosting the conversion of white fat cells into brown fat cells. Brown fat cells can be more easily broken down and so cryotherapy has been linked with weight loss, too!

FURTHER READING: How to prevent wrinkles, according to the experts – and why your phone may be making you look old

What do professional cryotherapy facials involve? 

In short, a cryotherapy facial involves freezing the skin by using a machine-operated device to spread liquid nitrogen over the face. While different clinics may adopt varying procedures, the treatment generally follows the following pattern:

Before treatment:

1. Your skin is cleaned thoroughly and massaged to encourage lymphatic drainage, the removal of toxins, and to help relax your facial muscles.
2. Your face might be exposed to steam where any subsequent breakouts are treated with a quick session of microdermabrasion.
3. You might be exposed to different light frequencies to assist with the skin’s repair and to help boost the production of collagen.

During treatment:

1. Your eyes will be covered with protective goggles.
2. Skin is exposed to subzero temperatures where liquid nitrogen is pumped over the face using a tube attached to a cryotherapy machine. The tube’s nozzle is covered with lasers to help monitor the skin’s temperature throughout this process.
3. The tube is moved continuously across your face to ensure no single area becomes too cold.

The treatment typically lasts for 2-3 minutes and is often followed by further facial treatments.

FURTHER READING: Skin serum, facial oil or moisturiser: What’s the difference and which one do you need?

How do at-home cryotherapy facials differ?

Without professional equipment and experts on-hand to oversee the use of liquid nitrogen, you’re unlikely to achieve quite the same results from an at-home cryotherapy facial.

That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy an at-home session though.

There are a variety of at-home cryotherapy kits available that tend to involve small, cooled objects. You typically have to roll or wrap these items over and around your skin yourself, but on the plus side, you can do this from the comfort of your own home, in a controlled environment, and whenever you see fit.

Such at-home kits have been shown to “reduce inflammation, tighten pores, and remove the stagnant lymphatic fluid that can cause puffiness, a fuller face, and bags under the eyes,” according to Rachael Lee Lozina, licensed esthetician and founder of Blue Water Spa & Boutique in Oyster Bay.

FURTHER READING: Gua Sha: What are the skincare stones and Chinese massage tools taking over the web?

Best cryotherapy products

With a plethora of gizmos and gadgets available, we thought we’d help narrow down your cryotherapy selections with these top at-home facial suggestions.

︎ Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Facial Duo

£89 | Buy now

Why we love it: Marketed as ‘ice-gym for the skin’, Charlotte Tilbury’s at-home cryo-therapy facial kit involves all of the results with none of the effort, making it just the kind of workout everyone dreams of.

The kit contains a flexible, reusable silicone Cryo-Recovery Face Mask that combines a cooling sensation with acupressure beads to prompt a more sculpted, firmer, and brighter complexion. It also contains a Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum that works to brighten and energise the eyes.

Simply pop the mask on for 10 minutes and let it work its magic before removing and applying the Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum to enjoy visibly reduced puffiness, dark circles, and a major boost in hydration. Combining all of the high-performance technology of traditional cryotherapy methods with the ancient skill of acupressure, this is an at-home facial we can get behind.

Both of these products can be bought separately if you’re not interested in the kit.

Buy now

︎ Dr Jart+ Cyro Rubber Face Mask 

£10 | Buy now

Dr Jart

Why we love it: Hyaluronic acid is the master hydrator, and this is what Dr Jart+’s Cryo Rubber Face Mask offers in abundance. Particularly suitable for those with dry skin, the moisture-locking, cooling Cryo Rubber Mask secures the product’s serum, helping improve absorption for a radiantly hydrated complexion.

While this product is single-use, at £10 a pop we think it’s a pretty great buy for what makes for an efficient, deeply hydrating, soothing at-home cryo-facial.

Buy now

︎ Fraîcheur Paris Ice Globes

£59.99 | Buy now

Fraîcheur

Why we love it: Designed for freshness and built for luxury, Fraîcheur’s Ice Globes do not disappoint.

The solid glass structures come filled with anti-freeze liquid to deliver cold, soothing temperatures when rolled across skin.

Not only effective at improving blood circulation to tighten the complexion, but they also stay cooler much longer than your average ice cubes wrapped in a towel, remain drip-free, and look delightfully elegant to boot.

Simply store in the freezer for 20 minutes before use for optimal, chilling, complexion-boosting results – yes please!

Buy now

︎ Amara Cryo Press

£148 | Buy now

Amara

Why we love it: Inspired by clinical cryo-therapy, Amara’s Cryo Press kit contains a 001 Skincare CRYOpress and Alpha Glow Flash facial serum.

Simply massage the sleek ice-roller over skin to improve blood circulation and encourage lymphatic drainage before coating in the ultra-hydrating serum to combat pigmentation, wrinkles, and dehydration.

User-friendly, vegan and cruelty-free, and oh-so pleasant to look at, we love how this set of two offers completely holistic TLC for the skin with just two items.

Buy now

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Lara Webster

After earning a 2.1 in BA English and Classical Literature from the University of Bristol, Lara went onto online proofreading and SEO courses. Over the past five years, she has worked in PR (creating newsletters, press releases, and articles for media distribution), while moonlighting as a Social Media Specialist and Lead Content Writer where she has respectively written articles and guides, and created and scheduled various social media calendars. She is now a Content Writer for a sustainable beauty brand, working alongside PR and Marketing team to strategise and create content. You can find more of her work here.

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