Ice is often seen as a way to cool or preserve drinks, but did you know there are other ways to utilize them apart from the obvious? Cubed ice, for instance, can be used in different ways, going against what you might know about it.
Read on to discover three ways you can use cubed ice at home and outdoors, from keeping your skin healthy to easing pain.
Facial Exfoliation and Cooling
One surprising way to use cubed ice is by incorporating them into your skincare routine. When the scorching sun dehydrates your skin, the flakiness might lead to clogged pores, which can cause breakouts. These breakouts can slowly cause skin discoloration, with the UV rays making it worse.
But it doesn't have to be that way. Instead, use your ice cubes as a tool for exfoliation and cooling. Simply wrap a few cubes in a clean cloth and use it to gently exfoliate your face. This helps remove any flakes and other impurities from your skin while cooling it down at the same time.
You can even apply almond oil, aloe vera gel, or rose water to the cubes before application for added moisture and benefits. Rub the cubes on your face gently in circular motions for a few minutes to help your skin absorb the oil.
Soothe Injuries and Ease Pain
It's often said that ice cures everything, and this statement proves correct. When you've got pain, inflammation, or injury in your body, cubed ice can be of great help.
Rubbing your injury with an ice cube helps decrease inflammation, soothe pain, and provide comfort. Ice cubes help reduce any swelling that might be present in the area due to injury and also cause the muscles in the region to contract. This helps give relief from pain and eases movement.
Moreover, ice cubes can help lessen the risk of any further damage to the area due to strain or pressure, allowing you to carry on with your day normally. So whether it's a slight graze, an exercise injury, or post-workout soreness, ice can work wonders. For optimal results, wrap the ice cube in a cloth and place it gently on the affected area.
Hydrate and Quench Thirst
Cubed ice in drinks helps quench your thirst and provides an excellent way to rehydrate on a hot day. The ice cools the drinks without watering down their flavor, making sure that every sip is as refreshing as the first.
This is especially beneficial during the summer when all you want to do is lie in the shade and sip away. Plus, the added cubes help make drinks last longer, and sipping on the ice as it melts helps maintain hydration levels, especially when out on a hiking trip or at outdoor events.
Apart from drinks, there are other ways that you can utilize ice cubes. You can pop them in your salads or smoothies to give them an extra cooling effect, use them to keep food items such as fruits and vegetables fresh for a longer time, or add them to your baths during the summer.