Why You Need to Buy a Jade Roller (and How to Best Use One)

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If you have even the smallest interest in skincare and beauty trends, chances are you’ve seen a jade roller by now. This handy little beauty tool has been trending in recent years, but its history actually reaches back to 7th century China.

Believed to have healing and calming qualities, jade was rolled across the face to improve skin quality and balance chi (or energy).

But whether or not you believe in the power of crystals, jade rollers do have some very down to earth benefits. So what does this little holy-roller do?

Benefits of Jade Rolling

One major upside of jade rolling is that it boosts blood circulation. And as we should all know by now, increasing oxygen flow to the face nourishes skin cells and helps us achieve that healthy glow we all strive for.

The other much-touted benefit to jade rolling is that it decreases puffiness by encouraging lymphatic drainage. Lymph is a fluid that contains white (infection-fighting) blood cells. It moves much slower than blood and can sometimes pool under our skin.

By using a jade facial roller, you can move lymph from areas where it’s gotten stuck and depuff your face.

Can you get these same benefits from a facial massage with your hands? Yes. But the great thing about using jade is that it’s cool to the touch and has a very soothing quality. You can even put a jade roller in the fridge before using it for an extra cool feel.

Another plus is the small jade ball on one side. This helps you to smoothly roll across the delicate area under your eyes.

There are also jade rolling fanatics out there that claim this technique can boost collagen production, reduce fine lines and even tighten pores. But up to now, there’s little evidence to support these euphoric claims.

That being said, boosting circulation and aiding lymphatic drainage make a jade roller a legitimate tool to add to your skincare routine.

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How To Use a Jade Roller Correctly

Though using a jade roller is simple, it’s still important to use proper technique, especially if you’re looking to increase lymphatic drainage. As you can see by the diagram below, there are two lymph nodes by your ears. There are also lymph nodes by your clavicle.

So when jade rolling, you want to be sure you’re moving towards one of these areas.

You can start rolling either on your face or your neck. If you start on your neck, use downwards strokes all the way to the clavicle. There’s no need to use a lot of pressure. A light to medium stroke will work fine.

It’s also important to move the roller in only one direction (not back and forth like a paint roller).

When rolling the face, start on the inner areas of the face first. For example, move from the inside of the cheeks and outwards to the ear. On the forehead, you start from the center and also move outwards and towards the ear.

Under the eyes, use the side with the smaller piece of jade and also roll outwards and towards the ear.

Avoid using a jade roller if you have a skin rash, cold sore or an acne breakout as it could spread bacteria.

Step By Step Guide and Video on How To Jade Roll

Here’s a step by step guide on how to get rolling. You can do it in the morning or at night, on a daily basis.

1. Wash your face, so you’re starting with a clean slate.

2. Next, put on any serums, eye creams, facial oils or moisturizers you like to use. Some frequent rollers say that rolling helps the products to penetrate your skin. Though not proven, things like facial oils will help the tool glide smoothly across your skin.

3. Begin rolling either on the neck or face. Remember, on the neck roll downwards in one direction toward the clavicle where the lymph nodes are located. Roll at least three times over the same area or even more if you want.

On the face, roll from the inside of the face and towards the ears where the lymph nodes are located. Remember, only a light to medium pressure is necessary.

4. Clean your jade roller with warm soap and water to prevent any bacterial buildup.

5. Enjoy your glow!

Related: Why You Should Adopt A 10-Step Skincare Routine Today

If you’re more into video instruction, here’s a simple tutorial on how to jade roll.

Tips on Buying a Jade Roller

There are tons of jade rollers available online. They range in price from just a few bucks and up to about $70 or more.

Just keep in mind that if the price seems too low to be the real thing, it’s probably faux jade. If you don’t care about having a genuine stone, you may do just fine with a more economical model.

But if you do believe the healing power of crystals, you may want to shell out a few more bucks for a quality roller with genuine jade. Check out  Skin Gym, Herbivore or the Sephora Collection for great options.

Other Stone Rollers

Once you start shopping for jade rollers, you’ll realize that facial rollers are available in other stones like rose quartz and amethyst.

If the power of crystals seems a little too woo-woo for you, any stone or color will probably do.But if you are open to the healing quality of gemstones, here’s a more metaphysical breakdown on some of the popular stones used in facial rollers.

Jade: Healing, soothing, helps to clear negative energy

Rose Quartz: Known as the crystal of venus, rose quartz is said to open the heart, heal the emotions and foster empathy.

Amethyst: This calming stone is said to relieve stress, soothe irritability and promote stability and strength.

Blue Sodalite: Said to promote emotional balance, intuition and bring order and calmness to the mind.

Clear Quartz: This master healing stone is purported to stimulate the immune system, bring the body into balance and stimulate psychic abilities.

Which stone is best for you? Let your intuition guide you. Whatever draws you first, is probably the one to add to your beauty routine!

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How Will You Roll?

AM or PM, with jade or another healing stone, facial rollers are a great way to stimulate circulation and promote lymphatic drainage.

Some beauty buffs even like to keep their jade roller in the fridge as a quick way to depuff eyes in the morning. But as jade is naturally cool to the touch, you can also keep it at room temperature.

As for the purported but unproven benefits of collagen boosting and wrinkle reduction? Beauty bloggers may say that it’s a miracle tool, but dermatologists say its benefits are more limited.

What are you waiting for? Give it a roll and see!

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