Time to get rolling—facial rolling that is. Puffy skin meet your glorious nemesis, aka the facial roller. It’s the trend you’ve been seeing everywhere, particularly on Instagram, where fashionistas love to rave about their new darling. The rollers assist with lymphatic drainage, an effective facial massage designed to boost circulation and flush away toxins.
It may not be the sexiest-sounding beauty treatment, but lymphatic drainage is one of the effective ways to fight puffy skin. When lymph fluid isn’t circulating at full speed, toxins can build up. The result? An uneven complexion, dark circles and blemishes.
Although drainage sounds medical, the treatment is actually surprisingly sensual—sexy even. As sales of more modern skincare devices (think Clarisonic) are declining, the roller is experiencing something of a cultural zeitgeist. The high-touch lovechild of the wellness industrial complex, it blends skincare, self-care and crystals into a seductive DIY facial ritual.
What is a facial roller?
While jade rollers aren’t exactly new kids on the block—they've been a staple in Chinese skincare routines since the 7th century—they are experiencing a definite resurgence. The signature look is that of a handheld double-sided massager, believed to reduce swelling, soothe irritation, and enhance your help work treatment serums and oils deeper into their skin.
The tool has a long oval-shaped stone on one end, for the broad planes of your face like your cheeks, forehead and chin, and a smaller, rounder stone on the other end designed for the curved under-eye areas, nose and eyes. Facial rollers tend to be made out of crystal, such as amethyst or rose quartz, or jade, which is known for being cool to the touch.
How to use a jade roller
Like yoga, each roller comes with a suggested flow or sequence. For example, the Atahana roller is designed to stimulate lymph nodes in your face and neck by either pumping the node with subtle jabs or sweeping the larger stone across the face. Because the lymph system runs close to the surface of the skin and relies on manual movements to keep it flowing—a massage that targets the nodes around your clavicle, jaw, and telymmples can boost circulation while simultaneously relieving tension. If you suffer from jaw pain, the massage can be especially beneficial.
Facial rolling is also a great time to infuse self-love into your entire system. Atahana’s roller is made from jade, said to represent emotional healing, protection and purity.
Jade roller benefits
If you use your roller daily, aestheticians say you can expect improved skin tone and elasticity. In the very least, your skin will look brighter—and you will definitely feel more awake.
How do I clean it?
To clean your roller, wipe it down with a clean cloth or wipe. For a more thorough clean, your roller can also be submerged in warm water and soap and gently scrubbed. Make sure to pat it dry after cleaning to avoid rusting the metal.
Ready to roll? Add a CocoRoo Jade Roller to your shopping cart at Vitacost.com (only $19.95 for this healing ancient beauty tool)!
