Ever feel like there’s a new beauty ingredient you can’t stop seeing and hearing about? That all of the sudden, it’s in every product and all over your Instagram feed? This is what our Beauty Buzzwords series is all about – helping you learn more about these mysterious ingredients and why everyone is raving about them.

Today we’re talking all things face rollers and how with just a few minutes each day this beauty tool can transform your skin.

What is it?

Jade and other stone rollers are beauty tools made of semi-precious stones used for facial massage; they’re believed to have originated in China and used to move unhealthy energy out of the body and restore harmony and balance. They often have one smaller- and one larger-sized roller to target different areas of the face (e.g., the small end works best around the eyes) and can offer either a smooth surface or a textured side with studs to increase the massage factor.

Similar to face rolling is gua sha, which involves massaging the skin with a beauty tool also carved out of a gemstone like jade or rose quartz.

What are the benefits?

Facial rolling (and gua sha) can help improve skin in many ways including reducing the appearance of fine lines, depuffing swollen skin, and boosting circulation in the face by delivering fresh blood to the area.

You might have heard the term lymphatic drainage before—this is the act of naturally removing stagnant lymphatic fluid from the skin. Ideally, the lymph should be flowing easily and removing toxins to help facilitate a healthy complexion and eliminate tension from the face. The primary way face rollers aid the lymphatic system is with gentle pressure and movements that encourage fluid to travel along its pathways and drain into the body.

Face roller aid lymphatic drainage, improving your skin in many ways.

Face rollers can be made from various kinds of crystals, each said to heal while bringing different energies to the body:

• Jade, for example, brings peace and is thought to help reduce stress
• Rose quartz is very soothing and symbolizes love
• Amethyst claims to help with cell regeneration and clarity of the mind
• Red jasper symbolizes bold beauty and promotes vibrancy and endurance
• Blue soladite can ease anxiety, depression, panic, and fear, providing mental clarity and peace
• Clear quartz is said to help clear the mind of emotional stress and negativity

Who should be using it?

Almost everyone! But if you already have a lot of inflammation or a skin condition such as eczema or rosacea, jade rolling probably isn’t for you as you don’t need to increase circulation to those areas.

How can you use it?

You can use a face roller both morning and night after you’ve cleansed, toned and applied either a moisturizer or serum. Never roll on a completely dry face and if you want an extra cooling experience, pop the roller in the fridge or freezer to increase its depuffing properties.

Begin in the middle of your forehead and move outwards using light pressure. Follow the patterns of the muscle, moving from the middle of your face along cheekbones and the jaw in a continually outward motion. Pay special attention to areas where you have more fine lines, like around the eyes or forehead.

To clean your roller, gently wash with warm soapy water after each use and pat dry.

Pop the roller in the fridge or freezer to increase its depuffing properties!

My favourite products:

• Skin Gym Rose Quartz Roller – This is the one I use every day! I love the smaller side for around the delicate eye area and the calming properties of the stone.
• Province Apothecary Dual Action Jade Facial Roller – This roller features a smooth, polished end and a textured, studded end for a variety of techniques, and it’s made of super high-quality Xiuyan jade.

Have you made jade face rolling a part of your skincare routine? Let me know in the comments!