Is an ice roller better than a jade roller? Is a jade roller better than a shave? What is a facial roller and how do you know which tool is best for your skincare needs? If you or someone you know asks these questions, we are always here to help you.
You may have seen one (if not all) of these tools in an Instagram ad, TikTok or one of the many celebrity skincare videos on YouTube. While jade rolling, scraping and ice rolling all have similar benefits, they are also very different. Come along and learn the differences between these skincare tools and help you decide which one is best for you.
What is Gua Sha?
Gua Sha is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice that can be used on the face and body. Gua Sha uses a flat tool that is scraped along the skin to promote the flow of "qi" or energy and provide a range of skin care benefits. These tools come in a variety of shapes to fit the contours of your face. Many scraping stones are made of jade, but you will also find them in adventure stones, amethyst and other materials.
What are the benefits of Gua Sha?
Shape jawline and cheekbones: Gua Sha stones tighten the facial lines and provide significant contouring with regular use.
Relieve tension: Gua Sha provides a deep massage to relax facial muscles and relieve tension in the cheeks, forehead and jaw.
Stimulates lymphatic drainage: Lymphatic fluid can stagnate under the skin, causing puffiness - Gua Sha moves the lymphatic fluid, allowing it to drain along with other body wastes.
Increases circulation: Increased circulation plumps up the skin, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
How do you use the Gua Sha tool?
Gua Sha requires a "gliding" motion in order to slide across your face without pulling on the skin. Wash your face and apply a good quality moisturizer or face oil before practicing shaving. The method varies depending on the type of shaving tool you have and how long you want to spend on the routine, but here is a general overview of the technique.
First, visually divide your face in half, working once with the tool flat against your skin and once on one side, counting five scans per area.
Starting at the base of the neck, gently move the tool up to the top of the neck.
Move to the center of the chin and sweep upward along the jawline to the earlobe.
Now, work from the edge of the nose to the temples.
Press the tool under the corners of the eyes and gently sweep towards the temples.
Place the tool on the brow bone and move it along the shape of the brow.
Last but not least, sweep the tool from the center of the forehead to each temple.
What is a jade roller?
Jade rollers, also known as facial rollers, are a skin care tool that originated in ancient China. They have a larger roller on one end - perfect for areas such as the neck, cheeks and forehead - and a smaller roller on the other end, perfect for the brow bone and areas under the eyes. Jade rollers are not only made of jade - you can also find facial rollers made of rose quartz, amethyst, opal and more.
What are the benefits of Jade Rolling?
Light sculpting: Jade rolling lightly sculpts the cheeks and jawline.
Luminous skin: Facial rolling promotes blood circulation, making your skin look brighter, fuller and firmer.
Better product absorption: Jade rolling is a great way to get the active ingredients in serums and masks deep into the skin.
Increased lymphatic drainage: Any type of facial massage helps to get lymphatic fluid flowing through your skin, leaving you looking more radiant and less puffy.
How do you use the Jade Roller?
Prepare your skin! Before using the Jade Roller, it should be clean. Like a shave, the facial roller needs a little glide so that it moves smoothly over your face without pulling. Choose your favorite serum and begin rolling.
Roll each side of your face separately, using five times for each area.
Using the larger roller, start at the base of your neck and stroke upward to your chin.
From the middle of your chin, roll to your cheeks and your temples.
Move to your forehead and start rolling from the middle, past your brow bone and up to your temples.
Now, flip the roller and use the smaller side. Roll from the inner corner of your eye to the outer corner of your eye.
Still using the smaller side, slide the roller over the jaw line under the chin to the earlobe.
So, which tool is right for you?
The right tool for you depends entirely on the results you want and how much effort you want to put into your routine.
Jade rolling is great for people who are new to the world of skin care tools because it is gentle on the skin - especially sensitive skin - and the technique is easy to learn.
If you want a more intense facial massage than jade rubbing or ice rubbing, Gua Sha is for you - plus lots of facial contouring.
