Preparation
Whether you are searching for ways to help your skin withstand the dog days of summer or are simply hoping for a solution to your incessantly inflamed visage, cooling products deserve your attention. While most people immediately jump to menthol-laden pain relievers or old-school aloe vera when thinking of temperature-lowering skin care products, the category is much more encompassing these days: Cooling moisturizers, masks, and eye creams are at the ready. Of course, it helps to know what to look for.
“Ingredients such as menthol, cucumber, peppermint, aloe vera, and yogurt all provide a cooling effect when applied to the skin,” says board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. While these agents don’t actually change the temperature of your face, Dr. Green explains that they interact with our cellular receptors, producing a cooling sensation. “They obstruct the calcium current along the nerves which is responsible for detecting temperature,” she adds, noting that the nerve endings then receive a temporary signal that the skin is less hot.
The best part about cooling skin care products—apart from their chilly nature—is that they are universal. Anyone can enjoy their soothing benefits. That said, Dr. Green recommends them especially for those with sensitive skin (or, more specifically, those dealing with puffiness, redness, irritation, and general sensitivity). Now that you’re up to speed on the how and why of cooling skin care, let’s talk about the what. Ahead, discover several highly-rated formulas to reach for this summer and beyond.
Ole Henriksen “Cold Plunge” Pore MaskDr. Brandt “Cool Biotic” Prebiotic Redness Relief CreamSkyn Iceland “The ANTIDOTE” Cooling Daily LotionClarins “Hydra-Essentiel” Cooling GelStriVectin “Supergreens Soother” Cooling Gel Mask
