The science behind the trendy skincare tool, according to dermatologists and beauty chemists.
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The beauty world is buzzing about stones right now. From jade rollers to sculpting gua sha tools, these tools are being touted as the secret to firmer, more youthful skin.
"Though jade rolling is trending, people have been using face rollers and sculpting tools made from smooth jade for centuries, " says Sabina Wizemann, Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab senior chemist. "The technique originated in China, where it was known for healing and purifying,” Wizemann explains.
So what are jade rollers?
A jade face roller is a sculpting tool with complementary rollers at each end that work into the contours of the face, according to board-certified dermatologist Monica Li, M.D, a cosmetic and medical dermatologist in Vancouver. They can be made of jade or quartz stone. “Jade rolling is thought to work by aiding in lymphatic drainage [moving fluid that pools under skin], which can have a depuffing effect," says Wizemann. But are jade rollers, used to massage your face and apply skincare products, really the miracle fix for great skin?
What are the benefits of jade rollers?
If you're after more radiant and plump skin, these skincare tools can help boost circulation in your face, says Dr. Li. Jade rollers are also said to do everything from sculpting, toning and firming skin to enhancing glow, reducing puffiness, minimizing fine lines, improving elasticity and detoxifying.
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When paired with a serum or a moisturizer, jade rollers help skincare products penetrate better – plus, it makes it an easier, smoother trip across skin, she says. Compared to other facial sculptors like gua sha, "jade rollers tend to be better for sensitive skin as it is not applied with as much pressure," adds board-certified dermatologist Joyce Park, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist practicing in the Bay Area.
It's a long list, so we have to ask...
Do jade face rollers actually work?
Maybe. "There are currently no clinical studies that prove jade rolling has any beneficial effects for skin, so more research is needed to prove their results," Wizemann says. She says it's actually the massaging effects, not the composition of the stones used themselves, that produce any benefits. "But the techniques may relax facial muscles and provide a cooling sensation on skin, and the massage could have a firming benefit over time."
There are other great tools and proven techniques out there that'll get you the depuffing effect you're looking for: Beloved by SkinTok, gua shas really aid lymphatic drainage, according to Dr. Park. Wizemann finds Solvasa's vibrating rose quartz wand versatile as its ends, unlike jade rollers, can be nested right above a cheekbone at a right angle for optimal eye lymphatic massaging.
To fight puffiness, you'll also need the right skincare products. A great eye cream is essential and look for skincare ingredients like caffeine, humectants (such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid) and antioxidants (vitamin C, E and A) to help depuff. Wizemann also recommends aloe vera's gel-like formulation for an instant cooling sensation. "You can also use your fingers for a facial massage," says Dr. Park.
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