Facial rollers are a bit of an anomaly. They appear one day (seemingly out of nowhere) and become a skincare staple the next. They’ve been hailed as a beauty pedestal for their super-easy skin-massaging or face-sculpting abilities, and we thought it would be best to let you know: there’s a reason we’re addicted to them, why they’re made of what they are made of, and there’s a correct way to roll them.
First things first: what exactly is face rolling?
Facial rollers (as well as cryo rollers and gua sha!) are typically made from crystals, with jade and rose quartz being the most popular. They’re designed to gently massage the face and stimulate the lymphatic system. This skincare technique isn’t just a fancy-looking addition to your beauty shelf, it’s actually been around for a long time. Chinese culture has been using crystal beauty tools for centuries because of the belief that crystals have anti-aging properties. Oh, and apparently Cleopatra was obsessed with crystals because it gave her complexion a clear, wrinkle-free look.
The benefits of using a facial roller are pretty extensive. When used correctly, they can improve skin tone and texture, reduce puffiness, relieve muscle tension, boost collagen production, smooth wrinkles, and tighten pores. Wow. By increasing blood flow with each stroke, you’ll look brighter, more awake, and like you didn’t just put off nine alarms to liven up your vanity.
So, how can I incorporate this into my daily routine?
We might say “just give it a try!”, but there’s actually a little trick to properly massaging your face with a roller. It can’t be random, and you don’t want to go back and forth like pizza dough. Start in the center of your face, roll to your hairline, and outward to the edge of your cheeks, repeating each area at least five times before moving on to the next area. With each upward/outward motion, you can gradually apply more pressure to ensure you really lift your facial muscles and achieve a youthful appearance. Think of it as stimulating your lymphatic system to work at full speed (in a good way!).
You need to be more careful around your eyes, and that’s where the mini roller really comes in handy! Hey! We got one of those! Our eye area is more sensitive than the rest of the face because the skin here is thinner (and easily damaged by products and tools). Using a smaller tool allows you to gently reach those fine lines and eliminate those eye bags that are visible after a few sleepless nights.
For long-lasting results, make face rolling a part of your daily routine and train your facial muscles to sit tight and upright. Defy gravity! If you really want to double up on your skin care regimen once you get the hang of it, face rolling becomes even more therapeutic when you add a few drops of facial oil to the roller or layer a nourishing mask underneath, squeezing antioxidants and serums into the skin at the same time.
