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Looking for a simple trick to reduce puffiness and brighten skin?

You might have seen jade rollers touted all over social media and YouTube as a miracle cure for everything from puffy skin to lymphatic drainage.

There are plenty of reasons why you might want to consider using a jade roller.

A jade roller is a beauty tool that uses a cool-to-the-touch gemstone for facial massage, and it’s been around for centuries. “Jade rolling is an ancient Chinese beauty ritual said to have been used during the Qing dynasty era,” says Sarah Villafranco, MD, and founder of Osmia Organics.

While there’s no evidence that the jade itself makes the tool more effective, using a jade roller may have some benefits, including:

  • lymphatic drainage
  • tighter-looking facial skin
  • facial de-puffing
  • improved circulation
  • better product absorption

“It’s the massage movement that drains fluids,” Engelman adds.

Lymphatic drainage

The lymphatic system transports fluid and filters toxins from the body.

“Massaging the face and neck can stimulate the lymph nodes to drain fluid from the face,” Engelman explains.

Tighter-looking, puff-free skin

Engelman says there are a few potential culprits behind a slightly swollen or puffy appearance:

  • Lying down for long periods causes fluid to collect in the soft tissues of the face. That’s why you’re most likely to notice puffiness in the morning.
  • Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can contribute to water retention and puffiness.
  • Eating processed and high-sodium foods makes you thirsty. As you drink more fluids, they can collect in areas of the body, including the face.
  • Drinking alcohol can lead your body to retain water to counteract alcohol’s dehydrating effects.

Massaging the face and neck pushes fluid and toxins into the lymphatic channels and stimulates the lymph nodes to drain it away, Engelman says. This results in a firmer and less puffy appearance.

“The results are temporary. A proper diet and exercise can help prevent water retention, and therefore puffiness,” she explains.

Improved circulation

Facial rolling stimulates blood circulation, which can make your skin appear brighter, firmer, and healthier.

“Any facial massage, when done correctly, can help improve circulation and decrease puffiness — with or without a jade roller,” Engelman says.

Better product absorption

Engelman recommends always applying a serum or moisturizer before using a jade roller.

“Rolling or massaging the face after applying topical product can help the product absorb into your skin,” she says.

Jade rollers have their benefits, but they have their limits, too. “Unfortunately, many consumers think that jade rollers will ‘iron out’ their wrinkles,” says Villafranco.

Some people claim jade rollers can stimulate collagen production, but there’s no evidence they have this effect.

“As far as we know, the only truly effective ways to improve your collagen are through peels, retinoids, and dermatological treatments,” Engelman says.

Ditto for acne. The cool temperature of any stone rolling tool can help calm inflamed skin temporarily.

“But jade rolling itself is not known to be a cure [for acne],” she says.

To make our recommendations of the best jade rollers, we looked for high quality materials and trustworthy brands. We also consider feedback and reviews from real customers for an idea of how these rollers perform.

Pricing guide

  • $ = under $35
  • $$ = $35–$65
  • $$$ = over $65

Most improved jade roller

Herbivore Jade De-Puffing Face Roller

  • Price: $
  • Pro: double-sided
  • Con: reputation for poor durability

Herbivore’s new and improved jade roller is a great tool for de-stressing facial skin. When Herbivore had poor reviews relating to the durability of their roller, they launched a new version, which is made with brassy-gold hardware and ethically mined jade stones.

One end of the roller has a standard stone to use on the face. The other end is equipped with a smaller stone for use around the delicate eye area.

Shop now at Herbivore

Best dual-action jade roller

Province Apothecary Dual Action Jade Roller

  • Price: $$
  • Pro: smooth and textured sides
  • Con: one size

The Province Apothecary Dual Action Jade Roller is two rollers in one.

One side is textured for gentle exfoliating. Flip it over for a traditionally smooth stone. Both sides are a standard size for use all over the face.

Shop now at Thrive Market

Most luxurious jade roller

Knesko Skin Green Jade Gemstone Roller

  • Price: $$$
  • Pro: double-sided
  • Con: high price point

With rose-gold hardware and responsibly sourced green jade, consider this a spa-grade roller. It’s double-sided, so you can use it on your entire face, including around the eyes.

Plus, each roller comes with a silicone case for storage and safekeeping.

Shop now at Knesko Skin

Best de-puffing jade roller

Mount Lai De-Puffing Jade Facial Roller

  • Price: $
  • Pro: double-sided
  • Con: higher price point

Mount Lai is an Asian female-owned beauty company inspired by founder Stephanie Zheng’s grandmother, who has been jade rolling for over 50 years.

The brand’s jade rolling is double-sided and designed to de-puff and massage all skin types.

Shop now at Sephora

Best heavy-duty jade roller

Jade Roller Beauty Jade Roller SPA

  • Price: $$
  • Pro: heavy duty
  • Con: requires a gentle touch

The jade roller from Jade Roller Beauty has thicker, higher-profile stones in both standard and small sizes, which means more pressure and contouring. Make sure to use a light touch!

Shop now at Dermstore

Best jade roller set

LATHER Jade Roller and Gua Sha Set

  • Price: $$
  • Pro: double-sided
  • Con: higher price point

This high quality jade roller comes as part of a set. Natural jade is used in the two-sided roller and in a separate gua sha tool.

Try them both to massage, stimulate, and soothe the skin.

Shop now at LATHER

Best jade roller for the price

GingerChi Jade Roller

  • Price: $
  • Pro: budget-friendly
  • Con: squeaky

The GingerChi Jade Roller is a premium roller, featuring genuine jade gemstones, for a budget price.

Plus, each roller is shipped mindfully, with no excess packaging. Instead, rollers come in a reusable linen bag.

Shop now at Amazon

Best mini jade roller

Mount Lai Mini De-Puffing Jade Roller

  • Price: $
  • Pro: great for travel
  • Con: one size

Mount Lai made our list again with a mini version of their de-puffing jade roller. Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, this one-sided jade roller fits into all the curves and contours of your face.

Plus, it’s a great size for travel and face rolling on the go.

Shop now at Sephora

Brand Price
Herbivore Jade De-Puffing Face Roller $
Province Apothecary Dual Action Jade Roller $$
Knesko Skin Green Jade Gemstone Roller $$$
Mount Lai De-Puffing Jade Facial Roller $$
Jade Roller Beauty Jade Roller SPA $$
LATHER Jade Roller and Gua Sha Set $$
GingerChi Jade Roller $
Mount Lai Mini De-Puffing Jade Roller $

There are a few things to consider in your search for the best jade roller:

Materials

Beyond the physical benefits that come with using a face roller are the healing properties of the gemstones, as different crystals are associated with their own spiritually healing benefits.

  • Jade is traditionally associated with healing and grounding. It’s considered a lucky stone.
  • Rose quartz is known as the stone of unconditional love. It’s associated with love, joy, and emotional healing.
  • Amethyst is said to promote calmness and serenity.

“If you’re not a believer in the energetic power of specific stones, it doesn’t much matter what stone you choose,” says Villafranco. But if you’d like to hedge your bets and you feel drawn to the spiritual components of a particular gemstone, that makes it a good choice in your face roller.

Texture

Textured rollers won’t have quite the same relaxing effect. They’re designed for gentle exfoliation, so consider your reasons for buying a jade roller in the first place.

Size

You can find jade rollers in a few sizes, and sometimes with a small and standard option on either end of the same roller. The smaller size is best for the delicate eye area. The standard size works for the rest of your face and neck. Oversized rollers are intended for use on the body.

Jade rollers are effective at pushing excess fluids and toxins through your lymphatic system, says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board certified dermatologist at the Shafer Clinic in New York City.

Since you’re most likely to notice puffiness in the morning after a long night’s sleep, it’s best to use a jade roller in the morning. Here’s how:

Using a jade roller on your face, neck, and eye area

You can use a jade roller on your face, neck, eye area, and décolletage.

Before getting started, follow these steps:

  1. Store your jade roller in the fridge. “The benefit of a jade roller, as opposed to a simple massage with the hands, is that the cool temperature of the stone may help alleviate puffiness,” Engelman says.
  2. Cleanse your skin. Follow your usual morning skin care routine. If it involves cleansing, rinse your skin before using the roller.
  3. Apply a serum or moisturizer. Use your usual nourishing product just before your jade roller. “The massaging movement of the roller can help your topical products absorb better into your skin,” Engelman says.

When you’re ready to go, follow these steps:

  1. Choose the right side. The smaller side of the roller is good for your eye area and the bridge of your nose. Use the larger side on your forehead, cheeks, and jawline.
  2. Roll gently. Avoid tugging on skin so you don’t irritate it. Engelman recommends aiming for 10 to 20 strokes on each section of the face you want to target.
  3. Roll from the center of the face outward. Lymphatic drainage is located on the sides of the face. “Rolling fluid away from your face and toward the lymph nodes will naturally stimulate the system to drain the fluid,” Engelman notes.
  4. Follow your contours. “For best results and skin health, be gentle and move in the direction of your face’s natural contour,” Engelman says. For the jaw and cheek area, that means rolling slightly upward.
  5. Guide fluids through the lymphatic system. Lastly, roll down on the edges of your face and then your neck. Engelman says this helps guide the fluid down through the lymphatic system.

Don’t worry too much about pulling down on the skin. Even regular rolling isn’t enough to contribute to wrinkles.

“The time spent on each section of the face is so brief, and your rolling motions should be gentle enough that you’re not actually tugging the skin,” she says.

Jade rollers aren’t the only tool out there. Different styles of tools may have different effects.

Using a roller with spikes

Some people use larger jade rollers with spikes on their lower body. While some claim the tool may reduce cellulite on the hips, any effects are likely temporary.

“It may have the same de-puffing effect on your body as it does on the face, but it’s unlikely that rolling can significantly improve or get rid of cellulite,” Engelman says.

Use the roller similarly to a facial roller. If you’re using it on areas of the body below the heart, like the hips, roll upward. This is the natural direction of lymphatic drainage.

Pro tip: Roll upward when using a jade roller below the heart. This is the natural direction of lymphatic drainage.

Using a gua sha tool

A gua sha tool is a scraper-like tool that’s often made of jade, quartz, or other stones.

“Its shape and edges allow it to provide a stronger, more targeted massage than a roller,” Engelman says.

You can use a gua sha tool to massage the face, neck, and body to stimulate the lymphatic system and circulation. This helps drain retained fluid and de-puff your skin, Engelman explains.

You’ll use it similarly to a roller.

  1. Apply a serum, oil, or moisturizer to clean skin.
  2. Work the gua sha tool across the targeted area in smooth strokes, as if you’re gently scraping the skin, Engelman suggests.
  3. End by scraping down on the edges of your face and neck.

Jade is one of the most popular roller materials. According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), people in China have used jade for thousands of years and link it to clarity of mind and purity of spirit.

Other roller materials

In addition to jade, rose quartz is another common roller material.

According to the GIA, quartz has been used for at least 7,000 years for its supposed magical powers. The Egyptians, for example, believed quartz could prevent aging, while early American cultures believed it could heal emotions.

Engelman notes that there’s no evidence to suggest either of these rocks has specific benefits over any other hard material.

Other popular rolling materials include:

Engelman recommends the following safety tips for facial rollers:

  • Choose the right material. Make sure that your roller isn’t made from a porous material, which can easily trap bacteria. “This can cause acne breakouts or allergic reaction,” she says.
  • Use gentle pressure. Your roller should never cause pain or tug your skin. Rolling too aggressively can irritate and even damage the skin, especially in sensitive areas, like under the eyes.
  • Wash your roller. Cleanse it after every use. “Be sure to spritz or wipe it with alcohol after each use so it’s ready for the next time,” says Villafranco. This gets rid of bacteria and grime that could irritate your skin or lead to acne breakouts.
  • Don’t aggravate your skin. Facial rolling is safe for most skin types when done properly.

Talk with your dermatologist before using a jade roller if your skin is irritated, damaged, painful to the touch, or if you have a pre-existing skin condition.

Where can I buy a quality jade roller?

“Buy from a quality supplier, especially if you’re in it for the healing qualities of the stone,” says Villafranco. “Some rollers are certainly overpriced, but choosing the cheapest one on Amazon may leave you with a rusted or broken roller after a few months.”

Are jade rollers better than rose quartz rollers?

Not necessarily. A quality jade roller will work just as well as one with rose quartz or amethyst. It’s the healing properties associated with each stone that really differentiates them.

How do I know if my jade roller is real?

There are a few things to consider:

  • Temperature. A real jade roller should be cool to the touch. If the stone doesn’t cool down quickly after you use it, it may not be real jade.
  • Appearance. Look for variation in the stone itself — completely uniform, solid colors may indicate a dupe. Fake jade rollers are usually made with dyed marble or glass.
  • Cost. Check the price tag, too. A real jade roller probably won’t cost less than $20.

Jade rollers gently massage skin. This helps stimulate the lymph nodes to drain fluids and toxins from the face, temporarily reducing puffiness.

Facial massage also stimulates circulation, making your skin appear brighter and firmer.

Be sure to choose a roller in a nonporous material, like jade, quartz, or amethyst. And clean your roller after every use to avoid aggravating your skin or causing acne.

Colleen de Bellefonds is a Paris-based health and wellness journalist with over a decade of experience regularly writing and editing for publications including WhatToExpect.com, Women’s Health, WebMD, Healthgrades.com, and CleanPlates.com. Find her on Twitter.