I'm a sucker for anything that promises to make my skin better. It's the reason I've officially added jade rolling to the list long of Shit I Do To My Face Before I Go To Bed.
1. People have been using jade rollers for a really, really long time.
The practice of jade rolling originated in China, centuries ago. So really, it's not actually a new concept or "new trend" at all — even if people are talking as if it is.
2. And yes, they actually do work.
While there isn't any current scientific evidence to support the benefits of jade rolling, both Green and Perlmutter agree it makes sense that rolling would be helpful when it comes to minor inflammation, blood circulation, and lymphatic drainage. This means that if you're someone who experiences puffy eyes in the morning, you might like the results of this.
3. As for jade, if you're a believer in the power crystals, it has a few fine qualities of its own.
According to The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall, jade is a symbol of purity and serenity. "Mentally, jade releases negative thoughts and soothes the mind," she writes. "Physically, jade is a cleansing stone, aiding the body's filtration and elimination organs." If you believe in, or just have a vague appreciation of, the benefits of different crystals, know that jade seems to be a pretty good all-rounder when it comes to emotional, physical, and spiritual healing. That all said, since the benefits of jade are more spiritual than functional, a rose quartz or other kind of crystal roller will massage just as well as a jade one.
4. Your roller should be used in an upwards motion towards your temples and forehead.
The key to good jade rolling practice is to roll up, not down. Thanks to gravity, our skin — particularly aging skin — begins to droop and sag over time. Rolling upwards helps counteract this downwards pull. So, gently roll in a sweeping motion from your neck up to jawline, then jaw up to temples, and forehead up to hairline. A lot of jade rollers are double-ended, with the smaller roller for use around the smaller curves of the face, like the eye area.
5. Use a jade roller after applying a face serum, oil, or moisturizer.
"It's best to use the roller on slightly moist skin. Contrary to a lot of claims, jade rolling doesn't actually help products to better penetrate the skin, but rolling on moist skin will be more comfortable," says Perlmutter. If you have an advanced skincare routine you might cleanse, tone, apply serums (like a vitamin C one, for example), then do your jade rolling before layering on your moisturizer. You can use a jade roller daily, morning and/or night, depending on how committed you are to extending the amount of time you spend on skincare.
6. While jade rollers do work, facial massage could probably achieve the same results.
Since the rollers work at de-puffing skin but don't particularly provide much help with your product application, you could potentially get similar results using your fingers. "When done properly, facial massage can provide the same benefits as jade rolling and also facial cupping if done carefully," says Green. There are plenty of online tutorials that show how to massage for lymphatic drainage too, if you want to try it out before investing in your own roller.
7. If you have acne, rosacea, eczema, or particularly sensitive skin, jade rolling might not be for you.
As anyone with sensitive skin will attest, sometimes it doesn't take much to set off a flare up. Since jade rolling works to massage the skin it can irritate particularly sensitive areas, and for people with severe acne, can cause major issues and spread infection.
8. For extra de-puffing power, keep your roller in the fridge.
You might have heard of the old chilled-spoons-over-puffy-eyes trick, and this one works on exactly the same principle. "I would refrigerate overnight to use in the morning, as it would be more effective at reducing puffiness, especially under the eyes," says Green.
9. And remember to clean your roller after each and every use.
"The roller should be cleaned properly after each use and to prevent bacteria build up," says Green. This can be done using warm soapy water and a microfibre towel.
There you have it! Everything you need to know about jade rolling before you decide whether or not to try it for yourself.
