Facial rollers seem to be everywhere right now and are taking social media by storm thanks to bloggers and influencers alike. They are typically made from materials such as jade, rose quartz, or some other fashionably colored crystal and definitely make for a beautiful photo. So it’s no wonder facial rollers have drastically increased in popularity over the past year. The simple concept of rolling some jade over your face seems easy enough, but do facial rollers "really" work? In truth, facial roller benefits seem a little too good to be true. How can something so simple provide such incredible results? However, at its worst, facial rolling would simply be ineffective, not damaging, so adding this as a step to your regular skincare routine can’t hurt. At best, you may see subtle improvements that get you closer to your skin goals.
Do Face Rollers Work?
The benefits of facial rollers will vary depending on what corner of the internet you are on. But the claims mainly consist of improved blood circulation, skin tone, and resiliency of the skin; reduced puffiness, wrinkles, and dark under eye circles; minimized presence of toxins in the skin; and tighter pores [1] And while that’s a lot to accomplish for what is basically a polished, rounded crystal attached to a stick, the technique is more formally known as lymphatic face massage, or lymphatic drainage massage, which gently drains fluid from the skin and muscle tissue in your face. The idea is that by rolling the crystal across your skin while applying light pressure, you prompt oxygen-rich blood to the surface of the skin and this increased circulation and blood flow helps the skin release toxins and reduce inflammation [2].
Here is how lymphatic massage works… As we age, our body’s ability to remove excess fluid from our lymphatic system deteriorates and is not as effective. So promoting lymphatic flow with some gentle roller massage and stimulation can result in some of the benefits listed above [3]. However, the efficacy of lymphatic massage and facial rolling generally varies from person to person though you can generally expect to see noticeable improvements in the appearance of dark eye circles and puffiness throughout your face.
Types of Face Rollers
If you have ever searched for a facial roller on Google, you were likely bombarded with a number of options in material and style, each with a price ranging from around $25 to upwards of $60. So how do you know which one to choose? From amethyst to quartz, discovering which material is right for you is similar to choosing a crystal for any other purpose. As for your facial roller, it is more about understanding the individual properties each type of crystal has and selecting the one that aligns with your desires and calls to you most.
Rose Quartz
Often beheld as the ultimate beauty crystal, rose quartz is thought to purify and open the heart at all levels while promoting inner healing. As an 'emotional healer' rose quartz may help reduce and release any impurities or stress being held in the skin. Proponents of this crystal sometimes refer to it as the Crystal of Venus, goddess of love and beauty, and believe it is best for detoxing the skin, lifting and softening fine lines or wrinkles, and releasing negativity.
Jade
One of the most commonly seen materials used for facial rolling, jade is thought to improve the immunity of the skin and increasing skin growth. It is primarily suggested for those who wish to address wrinkles and loose skin and is believed to help elevate your skin’s resiliency and prevent future wrinkles from developing, acting as an anti-aging roller. As a crystal, jade is best known for its calming properties making it a great choice for those with irritated or sensitive skin conditions as well. Read more about how to reduce eye wrinkles in our related blog post.
Clear Quartz
Another common crystal to be used, clear quartz is more commonly known as the Master Healer due to its ability to pair with other crystals to amplify their energies as well as its own powerful healing properties. Clear quartz also has a very high silica content, an important mineral for skin health, so it’s thought to improve the overall wellbeing of your skin when used as a roller.
Amethyst
A powerful and protective crystal, amethyst is believed to help soothe away day-to-day stresses and calm any resulting inflammation. As a result, amethyst facial rollers tend to be the suggested choice for those with acne-prone skin.
Blue Soladite
Best known for improving the hydration and overall health of your skin, blue soladite is thought to help calm inflammation, promote healing, and aid in balancing mineral deficiencies. These expected results are likely an extension of the stone’s believed healing properties.
Red Jasper
Sometimes referred to as the Goddess’s stone, red jasper is a symbol of bold beauty and a stone that is thought to propel your vibrancy and endurance. It is thought that this gemstone material specifically helps to stimulate the skin in order to better address concerns such as hyperpigmentation and dark spots, resulting in a more even complexion.
Black Obsidian
One of the stones with the most potent energy properties, including elements of fire, water, and earth, black obsidian is thought to surface imbalances within you so that they can be released. The belief is that the healing effect penetrates the skin and rejuvenates the body on all levels, magnifying negative energies so they can be set free and your muscle tissues will see a number of resulting benefits over time.
These are some of the most commonly used gemstones and materials for facial rollers on the market. If you believe in the strength of crystals and their effects on the body, choose the material that you feel will help you reap the benefits. But do so knowing that none of the promised effects outside of those resulting from the lymphatic massage itself are scientifically backed or proven.
How to Use a Face Roller
Now that you have chosen your Instagram-worthy facial roller, you are ready to start seeing what all the fuss is about. But if you are looking at your new tool and wondering how exactly to maximize its effectiveness, you are not alone. In fact, there is a specific way to use a facial roller in order to properly give yourself a lymphatic massage.
First, begin with your regular skincare routine, making sure to cleanse your face with a facial cleanser and finish off by applying your favorite moisturizer, oil or serum to your face and neck. Then you are ready to start rolling starting with your chin and then moving onto your cheeks and forehead. The goal is to work from the center of your face, rolling gently outward and upward. Next, make sweeping rolls from the center of your chin toward your collarbones, carefully working outwards to the sides of your neck. Finally, move from the center of your neck and roll outward and upward to finish off the process. By rolling in this way, you ensure that you are working up to every section of your face. For maximum de-puffing, try putting your roller in the fridge or freezer overnight to keep it extra cold!
Because you will be using your roller after applying other skincare products, it is important to wipe it down with a clean cloth or wipe after each use to prevent transferring any bacteria to your face. Occasionally, you will want to deep clean your roller with warm water and soap, making sure to pat it dry to avoid rusting the metal. If you are of the mindset that the gemstones contain energy, you may consider cleaning your roller with salt by either washing it with salt water or leaving it in a dry bowl of salt overnight. Salt is considered to be cleansing and will draw negative energies out of the tool so they do not transfer back to your skin. Some even promote leaving your wand in the moonlight overnight to help recharge its energies. Whether or not you adhere to these beliefs is up to you, but regardless, make sure you keep your facial roller clean.
A Brief History of Face Rolling
Though facial rolling may be the newest craze to hit your Instagram feed, in reality, it has been a practice for quite some time. There is some evidence that flat stones, specifically jade which is commonly found in the region, were used on the skin in China as far back as the 7th century! And other crystals are also believed to have been used in the Middle Ages and in ancient India for skincare. These cultures considered jade to be the stone of eternal youth and that is was a good luck charm which could bring prosperity and fortune into your life.
More recently, facial rolling has been a secret weapon of estheticians for years. Michelle Freese, who has been at the Kate Somerville skin care clinic for over 8 years and an esthetician for over 15, boasts that the technique is often used in the clinic to promote lymphatic drainage and benefit puffiness. It can even be used in conjunction with an acne treatment to aid in the breakup with breakouts.
Want to treat your puffy cheeks and dark circles under your eyes? Rolling might be a good addition to your skin care regimen. Hoping to rid your skin of harmful toxins and tighten up your pores? Rolling can help. The gentle stimulation easily helps to oxygenate your face and provide these many benefits. And the best part is, it requires very little effort from you. Just spend a couple minutes during your beauty ritual and give yourself a mini facial massage. Something tells us, you will probably enjoy the luxury of this new part of your routine!
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