Face roller is the beauty world's buzzword these days. It looks like almost every beauty guru out there is using a facial roller and even famous models and actresses such as Romee Strijd and Madelaine Petsch have shared on their Youtube channels how they use different facial sculpting tools in their daily beauty routines as a way to reduce morning puffiness.
Odds are your favorite blogger or beauty influencer uses some facial rollers.
As an average jade or rose quartz face roller costs around $15-20, you might be wondering do face rollers work and if so, what are face roller benefits in reality. We decided to find out the truth about facial rollers and contacted dermatologists who gave their two cents on how beneficial face rollers actually are (or aren't).
What's a face roller?
Face roller is a small face massage tool that's most commonly made from jade or rose quartz. Some have two roller balls and some look like a tiny rolling pin with rollers of varying sizes fixed to both ends of the handle.
The main goal is simple: facial rollers are used for massaging your face to provide several potential benefits to your skin.
Face roller benefits
According to Dr. Enrizza Factor, a Clinical Dermatologist, the simple act of massaging your face with a face roller has a ton of benefits for your skin. It may even reduce stress and release tension, just like a body massage would – and some of the benefits may potentially be real.
There's still not much proven information on face roller benefits but here are some of the most common reasons why you should use facial rollers.
Improves blood circulation in your face
Using a face roller can stimulate blood flow to your face, which may help make your skin look brighter.
A skincare expert Laura Roncagli says that face rollers may also help produce collagen which can keep skin looking youthful and elastic.
De-puffs your face
Rolling may also decrease puffiness (like under-eye bags) by stimulating lymphatic drainage. “Face rollers work by increasing blood circulation and lymphatic drainage in the face. When you roll it over your skin, it helps to push the blood and lymphatic fluid around, which encourages toxin removal and cell regeneration. This, in turn, leaves your skin looking brighter and younger,” explains Dr. Cheryl Rosen.
Some studies have generally linked this type of massage to decreases in swelling. But more research is needed to make the link between facial rollers and any
improvements in puffiness in your face.
Improves your mood
An older 2008 study suggested that facial massage reduces anxiety for some people.
May enhance the look of your skin
In a 2017 study, a facial massage showed some anti-aging effects, especially when combined with an anti-aging cream. However, it was not done with facial rollers specifically.
Cools and soothes your skin
If you store your roller in the refrigerator or use a naturally cold stone like jade, it’ll cool your skin on contact. The benefits of this are still to be determined, but some people may enjoy how it feels.
Distributes skincare products
Rollers are typically used with an oil or moisturizer to help the tool glide across your skin. This process may deliver the product deeper into your skin, though no research proves this yet.
Reduces inflammation
Laura Roncagli highlights one more face roller benefit: reducing inflammation. This may lead to a reduction in acne breakouts or rosacea symptoms but more research is needed in this area.
Jade vs rose quartz roller: which is the best face roller?
There are many types of facial rollers on the market, so you may want to know where to start.
Jade is one of the more common stones you’ll find in rollers but you'll also find face rollers made of:
Jade and metal are naturally cold materials and will not need to be stored in the refrigerator to give a cooling sensation to your skin.
Rose quartz roller can hold its temperature (hot or cold) for a long period of time. So if you want a colder roller and are planning to use it for more than a minute, your best option is quartz that’s been cooled in the fridge.
Jade is a softer stone than rose quartz, so a quartz roller may last longer and not break as easily if dropped.
Jade may also not be as smooth as some of the other stones, but this added friction may be especially helpful for contouring.
Traditionally, amethyst is said to help purify your skin, and it may help to treat acne. However, research is needed to support this claim.
Some rollers come with additional features like built-in LED lights or electrical pulse stimulators. “While these features may be helpful, they're not necessary and won't have as big of an impact on your skincare as the type of material or construction of the roller itself,” says Dr. Rosen.
Do face rollers work? Breaking face roller myths
There are many big claims about facial rollers, but there’s not a lot of evidence yet that they do much.
Let’s discuss some myths about face rollers.
Using a face roller can slim your face: false
The only way to truly lose weight from any part of your body, including your face, is through nutrition and exercise.
However, the de-puffing potential of the facial roller may make your face look slimmer temporarily or reduce the morning puffiness.
Face roller can cure skin conditions: false
Though there are claims that crystals or other materials can help cure disease, there isn’t any evidence.
Facial rollers can have permanent effects: false
While you may see some improvement in certain elements of your skin, the changes likely won’t be permanent. Consistent use is probably your best bet in seeing benefits over
time.
How to use a facial roller
Face rollers can be used for regular face massage. Here are quick steps on how to use rollers the best way possible:
- Apply a facial oil, serum, or moisturizer that’s slippery enough. If you don’t have lubrication, the tool can pull or tug your skin, which may actually contribute to wrinkles.
- Start at your neck and roll upward. For best results, roll up, not back and forth.
- Roll from your jawline to your ear on both sides using gentle pressure. You can continue this motion all the way from your jaw to your cheekbone.
- Roll from your forehead up toward your hairline, only in the upward direction. It’s the same gentle pull you would use if you were pulling your skin taut and wrinkle-free with your hands.
- Roll flat over your eyebrows horizontally, which may feel relieving if you have a headache.
How often should you use a face roller?
Face rollers are safe to use every day. Some studies indicate that you’ll see better results if you use face sculpting tools long-term as well.
How long should you do the face massage?
Even if you only have a few minutes, you may still be able to get some of the de-stressing and potentially de-puffing benefits.
A 2018 study showed that using a facial massage roller for just 5 minutes can increase
blood flow to your cheeks. Using the roller for 10 minutes should be enough. Of course, always stop if it starts to hurt. As with anything related to your skin, being gentle is key, emphasizes Dr. Enrizza Factor.
Are face rollers worth it?
Using a facial roller to massage your face may be relaxing, and it might have some potential benefits for your skin. Gently rolling or massaging the delicate skin on your face, neck, and clavicle can help to increase blood flow and reduce stress.
“While not imperative, using a face roller actually feels good on the skin and also provides several benefits including improving lymphatic flow and drainage,” says a board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anna Chacon.
“There are no valid claims that help support crystals or the use of face rollers to help your disease. There simply isn't any substantial evidence. Face rollers can provide some improvement in certain elements of the skin however the changes likely will not be permanent,” she concludes.
There are many types of face rollers to choose from, and all of them can be beneficial. But for under $20, a face roller might be the best investment for your skin if you'd like to relax, depuff your face and feel a bit more luxurious. Plus, facial rollers look amazing – and we could all use a little piece of rose quartz or jade in our daily routine.
