A face roller is a cosmetic tool that uses a cylindrical rolling pin to massage your face. Unlike the rolling pin in your kitchen, these are often made of stylish materials like jade or rose quartz.
Some are polished and smooth, while others use textures like knobs or spikes to provide a more intense facial massage.
Face rollers are said to offer various benefits for your skin, but are these claims backed by science?
Proven Benefits of Facial Massage
There haven’t yet been very many clinical studies on face rollers specifically. However, as a facial massage tool, it can be reasonably assumed that face rollers offer at least some of the general benefits of facial massage.
These benefits include:
- Improved blood circulation
- Decreased puffiness and swelling
- Reduced anxiety and improved mood
- Reduced aging signs (fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin)
There isn’t any credible evidence that face rollers can cure or treat any illness. And the effects are generally considered to be short-term.
Does it Matter What Type of Material the Roller is Made Of?
There are many different types of massaging face rollers on the market, made from materials such as:
- jade
- rose quartz
- amethyst
- obsidian
- metal
- plastic
Claims have been made that certain crystals (amethyst, for example) have unique properties that provide extra benefits to “heal” you or your skin. However, there is no evidence to support these claims.
The only real difference between the materials is the weight and feel of the roller on your skin. Some people prefer the heavier feel of stone, while others find it too much. Some materials, such as jade and metal, will naturally have a colder temperature which may feel nicer on your skin.
Quartz is a relatively hard and strong stone, so if you happen to drop it, it’s less likely to break.
But in terms of how it benefits your skin, the material likely makes little difference.
How To Use A Face Roller
To use a face roller:
- Apply an oil or moisturizer to your skin so the roller can slide smoothly without tugging or pulling your skin.
- You will generally want to roll upwards instead of back and forth.
- With gentle pressure and a slow rhythm, roll the tool all over your face, jawline, and neck area.
- The whole process should take 5-10 minutes.
- Clean the roller between uses.
You can do this daily or several times per week. A consistent long-term routine with this will likely be more beneficial than only doing it once in a while.
