'Tried-and-true face mask hack soothes my puffy hay fever eyes in seconds'

No matter how much you're enjoying the heat, a stuffy summer night in the UK is never a comfortable one, so finding ways to relieve yourself of the heat are key for getting through. While blasting your fan on max cold can do the trick, there's one handy hack that I always turn to - and it just so happens to double as a skincare treat too.

My tried-and-true method involves putting my favourite sheet mask from the Garnier Sheet Masks Self-Care Collection into the fridge or freezer for 10-15 minutes before using it. Then, when it's time to apply the mask, it offers an immediate cooling effect.

I've always learned that, in the long term, face masks should be kept in the fridge, hence why a mini skincare fridge like the StylPro Beauty Fridge is a great option to keep in your room. But your kitchen fridge is fine too, so long as you're okay with keeping your Garnier Sheet Mask next to your avocados.

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This TikTok-approved skincare hack is loved by industry professionals too. Strictly Come Dancing makeup artist and and Witch Skincare ambassador Ariane Young tells The Mirror that the hack offers "instant relief" in the hot summer months and can benefits your skin too.

She says: "On hot evenings, applying a chilled face mask — like the Witch Don’t Stress Face Mask — can help cool the skin, reduce puffiness, and calm irritation caused by heat or humidity. The cold temperature works to tighten pores and soothe the skin, making it a perfect pre-makeup prep or post-cleansing treat."

Young adds that those with oily or combination skin can reap even more benefits as the cooling effect helps to regulate excess oil. "It’s a small step that makes a big difference in how your skin looks and feels during the warmer months," she says.

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Longevita’s London-based medical aesthetician, Dr Gizem Seymenoglu, clarifies that putting your face mask in the fridge won't make the ingredients work any better, but the refreshing feeling can be just what the doctor ordered if you're suffering from inflamed skin or puffy eyes.

"If your skin is inflamed, for instance, a chilled face mask can help calm redness. Similarly, it can help if your skin is irritated," she tells us. "You can also use this trick to treat puffy eyes and under-eye bags since it constricts the blood vessels and reduces swelling."

Dr Seymenoglu warns that you must check the storage instructions on the packaging first to find what conditions the product is best stored at. For example, if it says 'best used around 20°C,' then it shouldn’t be stored in the fridge.

"That’s because certain ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, retinol and even artificial fragrances, as well as astringents, can degrade in cold temperatures. So, essentially, it can alter the composition of the face mask and compromise its integrity," Dr Seymenoglu explains.

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