Beautiful jade rollers have flooded the social media space. It seems that everyone is doing it, everyone is buying them, and everyone is posting about jade rolling on Instagram. But what is jade rolling, and how can it benefit you?
What is Jade Rolling?
The interesting look of jade rollers sparked the conversation on the ancient beauty techniques that the Chinese used to preserve their youthful looks. The dermarollers they used were made of jade or quartz. They look beautiful, and undoubtedly, they are exciting and novel, but what do they actually do?
A jade roller looks like a paint roller but for your face. It usually has two sides, one with a larger jade bead, and one with a smaller one for the area around the eyes. The bead is made of solid jade or another precious stone such as rose quartz, and Chinese empresses have been using them to tighten their skin and fight signs of aging.
Jade rolling is basically a face massage. The jade and quartz are said to have healing properties. Whether that is true or not, the fact is, we can all benefit from a little exercise, even if it’s just on our faces.
Benefits of Jade Rolling
The roller is supposed to reduce puffing and under-eye bags, tighten the skin, combat wrinkles and fine lines, and generally promote good circulation in the face. The gentle rolling should stimulate the lymphatic drainage, which means that excess fluid is “drained” from the places where it usually sits – around the eyes and other areas of the face.
Apart from this, the roller should help tone the muscles in the face, making them work harder and preventing atrophy, something that can happen as you get older.
One of the most commonly mentioned benefits is depuffing of the undereye area. To help the roller even more, put it in a freezer for 15 minutes before use and watch those bags get smaller and smaller with every roll.
Of course, rollers can help skincare products penetrate the skin better. If you are using serums, try rolling them onto your face to help the skin absorb the product, which will make it more beneficial and allow it to perform under the best settings.
However, it is not just about beauty. Many people use jade rollers before bed, to relax their face and relieve tension after a long day. If you have a proclivity for frowning during the day, you may find that it is quite hard to relax your face after a stressful day. This can, of course, lead to wrinkles and fine lines, and jade rolling can help relax the muscles, and more importantly, make you more mindful of the grimaces you are subconsciously pulling.
How to Use a Jade Roller
As with all analog skincare, jade rolling is easy to get the hang of without the fear of getting electrocuted by the latest skincare tech craze. Since this method is literally ancient, learning how to do it should not be too difficult.
The best way to start is with a cold roller. You can keep it in the fridge or pop it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before use to let it cool down completely. Using a cold roller will not only help with depuffing, but it will also feel divine on your skin.
After you wash your face, apply your serum or face oil, and get the roller. Then, roll gently all over the skin to help the product absorption. Use a larger roller (or bead) on your cheeks, chin, and forehead, and a smaller one around the eyes for eye creams and around the eye serums.
When rolling, apply a little bit of pressure. Go up and down, left and right, work around the face, and generally go in all directions to stimulate circulation. Start at the center of your face and roll outwards to promote lymphatic drainage and help the skin relieve some of the tension.
If you have acne or pimples, do not press too hard. Since the roller is made of natural stone, applying too much pressure can rupture the breakouts, creating inflammation that can lead to more acne. Instead, be gentle and always use a clean roller.
Is it Worth the Hype?
The burning question of the day is – is this worth the hype? Jade roller on its own will not make your skin magically brighter, remove your under-eye bags, or even make the skin tighter. However, if you include it in your beauty routine, it can help your skincare products work better, it can help relax the muscles in the face, and, if used cool, it can help you feel awake and ready for the day.
Of course, skincare is so much more than just a jade roller, so make sure to stick to a great routine, and of course, eat plenty of vegetables to be healthy on the inside as well. In the end, it’s all about the overall self-care. If you feel good when using a jade roller – use it! It can’t hurt you; it can only be beneficial!
