Despite having been used by Chinese empresses since the 17th century, jade rolling has only recently experienced a resurgence in the Western world. Whether this is due to our fascination with Asian beauty or the way in which the modern world is embracing an holistic approach to skincare remains to be seen, but jade rollers have swiftly climbed into my list of most frequently queried beauty products.
Historically, jade rolling has been used for facial massage and is known to drain the lymph nodes, “de puff” and lift the face as well as boost collagen production- but do jade rollers actually work?
I’ve been using a jade roller for upwards of a month now and, for me, it works. The greatest benefit I’ve experienced has been “de-puffing,” which is a known side effect of both anything cool and of facial massage. I’m prone to water retention around the face in the morning (as are many people), and I’ve found my morning puffiness is alleviated almost immediately post-jade rolling thanks to the naturally cool surface of the crystal (this is also why I recommend anyone suffering from puffy eyes stores their eye creams and masks in the fridge). De-puffing is also a benefit of facial massage, as lymphatic drainage stimulates circulation to release toxins, sweep away excess fluids and free up any of that water retention- and tension in general. While I experience greater jade rolling benefits first thing in the morning, I quite like using it in the evening during facial massage for no reason other than I find the overall ritual to be very relaxing.
It’s this stimulation of circulation that some believe boosts our body’s natural production of collagen, however I have no real way of determining whether or not this is true (although I’ve done my reading and it seems that the collagen-boosting-benefits are merely a myth).
The particular jade roller that I have been using is from Australian company Lux Aestiva, and it is a vastly different tool from the jade rollers that are available for a few dollars on sites like Amazon- this roller is weighty and carved from legitimate jade slabs. The major difference between this roller and the cheaper alternative I trialled last year (aside from its effectiveness) is that this roller is quite large- too large for targeted under eye use. This doesn’t bother me as my eye area doesn’t seem to retain fluid like the rest of my face, however if under-eye puffiness plagues you I’d recommend simply using your fingers for lymphatic drainage.
It’s recommended that you use your jade roller with a facial oil as the “slip” will allow the roller to glide over the skin with ease to ensure you aren’t tugging on the skin. The roller will also allow you to evenly distribute the product over the skin (some say the roller aids with the penetration of skincare products however I don’t see how this is physically possible). You can use any facial oil (and I say “oil” quite literally- a serum won’t work here) but I’ve been using the Lux Aestiva Prickly Pear Oil with my roller and it’s proven to be a beautiful combo. It’s also important to always roll up and never down, as dragging the skin can have a lasting effect on its overall elasticity. I work up the neck before moving on the cheeks and forehead in the hopes that I’ll look 25 for the rest of my life (stay tuned).
Do jade rollers work? Yes, I’ve found mine to have an immediate de-puffing effect on the skin as well as a lasting increase in circulation. While I can’t promise that it will deliver eternal youth or a blemish-free complexion, I feel confident in saying this ancient ritual will relax almost anyone- even the most discerning skincare user.
Love this! I tried a cheap roller but I’d love to give one like this a go!