Ashton Hall

The cold-plunge mechanism is real: cold exposure triggers an acute rise in noradrenaline and dopamine, with reported effects on alertness and mood — but that comes from small, short studies, not robust trials on this specific morning ritual. A dermatologist quoted by Today confirms a plausible skin mechanism too: cold constricts blood vessels and can temporarily reduce puffiness, a real but short-lived effect. Rubbing a banana peel on the face, though, has zero research behind it according to a Cornell dermatologist in the same piece — the peel's nutrients don't meaningfully cross the skin barrier. The specific water brand obviously has no demonstrated skin benefit over tap water. The bones of the ritual — waking early, moving your body, cold on the face — hold up a little; the viral packaging (banana, branded bottles, performed productivity) has nothing scientific behind it.