What is a Jade Roller?
You’ve likely seen the jade roller all over your social feeds, with estheticians and beauty bloggers raving about its skincare benefits. But what exactly is it? And how do you use it? We tapped the expertise of skincare brand owner and Chinese medicine doctor Mari Monet, aesthetician Kim Peirano, as well as dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, to get the lowdown on all things jade roller. Read ahead for the scoop on the tool’s biggest benefits, step-by-step instructions on how to use it and a list of some of the best jade rollers on the market.
The face roller, also called a “crystal roller,” is essentially a small piece of semi-precious stone that’s been smoothed and attached to a handle for convenient at-home use. The roller is meant to be used on the face and neck for a soothing skin massage, loosening tense muscles and boosting circulation for a brighter complexion. And while it’s often referred to as a “jade” roller because that’s typically what’s used, many are actually made of rose quartz, amethyst or other stones.
People who use jade rollers tout the tool’s ability to help with lymphatic drainage, which helps remove water and toxins from cells throughout your body. And since the skin on your face is thinner, the increased blood flow from jade rolling can also de-puff puffy areas and reduce fine lines, wrinkles or uneven tone.
The calming properties of the stone and its cooling effect also make it ideal for sensitive skin, which means you’re less likely to experience any irritation from using the tool than if you were just using your bare fingers. Plus, the stone is nonporous, so it doesn’t harbor any bacteria that might irritate your skin or cause breakouts.
To reap the full benefits of a jade roller, you should always apply your favorite serum or face cream before gliding it across your skin. Ideally, the product should be one that contains hyaluronic acid or niacinamide for hydration and anti-aging. “Avoid products that contain retinol or AHAs with the jade roller because they will increase your sensitivity and may cause inflammation,” says Engelman.
Another thing to keep in mind is that it’s important to gently glide the roller across your face, rather than rubbing it, says Tavernise. If you’re rolling your face or neck, start in the middle of your chin and roll out toward your jaw and up towards your ear, then move to the side of your mouth and repeat. Then, use your smaller roller for the under-eye area to help reduce dark circles and under-eye bags.
For the rest of your body, you can even out your complexion by using a larger jade roller with spikes (like this one from Rouleau) on your shoulders and chest to get rid of that pillow face or water retention. Just be sure to roll upwards on areas below your heart, like the hips, since that’s the natural direction for lymphatic drainage. Jade roller