What Are Jade Rollers and Do They Actually Work?
If you’ve scrolled through Instagram lately (lol) chances are, you’ve come across a jade roller or two. The beauty #topshelfie favorite has become popular on the 'net in recent years, but it's actually been around for centuries. But what is this tool? What does a jade roller actually do? Does it work? And which type of roller should you invest in? We asked Dr. Lamees Hamdan, the founder and CEO of beauty brand Shiffa and Leila Carter, founder of Jade Roller Beauty to find out everything you need about the beauty tool. Read up on for a facial roller 101 and see a few reviews from editors putting the tool to the test.
So, what is a jade roller exactly?
“It is a very simple tool, a roller attached to a handle and made out of jade,” explains Dr. Hamdan. Jade rollers date back to ancient China and have been used for centuries to both bring positive chi and muscle relaxation to the face.
How can you use the jade roller?
The jade roller can be used on the face, neck, and eyes as a lymphatic massage, which is the natural drainage of the lymph, the a bodily fluid that carries waste products away from the tissue and back towards the heart.
What does the lymphatic drainage mean?
A “self-administered lymphatic drainage massage” might sound like a procedure you wouldn’t be allowed to eat 24 hours beforehand, but it’s just a simple way of de-puffing the skin. “The lymphatic system is a network that picks up fluids and waste from the spaces between the cells and then filters and cleans them, so it helps rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials,” explains Carter. “70 percent of lymphatic vessels are located just below the skin, so massaging the facial structure is key to helping our face move the excess fluids, which cause the puffiness.”
How do you use a jade roller?
If you’re not already convinced of the benefits, the simplicity of using the tool might sell you. You start in the middle of the face and move outwards across the cheek explains Carter. Then, you move to the eyebrows, roll upwards across the forehead, and move below the lower lip downward across the chin. You are essentially rolling your face like fresh dough. You can also use the smaller ends of the tool for more delicate and hard to reach areas.
What other benefits do jade rollers have?
Beyond the overall radiance and de-puffing of the skin, jade rollers work to improve blood circulation and relieve facial and jaw tension.
What are the types of crystal jade rollers?
Jade isn't the only type of roller around—there are several different crystals used in facial massage and fans of them believe each have the following qualities:
Rose quartz: The crystal of love. Rose quartz is believed to open up the heart at all levels like an emotional healer. It's meant to detoxify the skin and fight signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
Clear quartz: Clear quartz is a great mineral the helps promote healthy skin.
Amethyst: This type of crystal is meant to fight daily stresses. It also helps calm inflammation and fight pimples in acne-prone skin.
Blue soladite: Ideal for hydrating the skin cells, blue soladite calms inflammation and helps to promote healing and balance.
Jade: The most common types of rollers. It's perfect for irritated skin because it calms inflammation. It also works to improve skin elasticity.
Sound simple—and maybe too good to be true? We had four different editors try jade rolling for a week to get all the real feels. Their thoughts ahead.
Chloe Hall Chloe Hall is an editor, producer, and Instagrammer who covers beauty, fashion, culture and Rihanna at ELLE.com.
