Jade rollers are all the rage in the skincare world, but do they really work? Let's delve into what a jade roller is and what science has to say about its supposed benefits.
What is a jade roller?
A jade roller is a handheld device fitted with a smooth stone (which may or may not be actual jade, as we explain below) that allows you to easily roll the cool stone over your skin. Early versions of these rollers are said to have originally appeared as part of an ancient Chinese beauty ritual, supposedly because of their metaphysical benefits and healing energy. Fast forward to the 21st century: jade rollers have been commercialized as a skin care fad and touted as the cure for almost every skin problem under the sun.
As previously mentioned, not all jade rollers are made of real jade. Imitation jade imitations can be created by dyeing and treating marble, quartz and other stones. While this is a bit deceiving, it is not the end of the world in terms of benefits, considering that jade itself does not have any special skin properties.
What are the benefits of jade tumblers for the skin?
Regardless of the type of stone used, companies selling jade rollers claim they can treat everything from puffiness and dark circles under the eyes to fine lines and wrinkles. Some claim to "slim the face"; others claim that jade rollers help detoxify the skin, which is physically impossible.
Many of these claims are attributed to the tool's massaging action, which supposedly helps improve lymphatic drainage and circulation. The point is this: most people do not have ongoing lymphatic problems with their facial skin, and even if they do, there is no evidence that this facial massage helps. But even if it did help, any benefits would be temporary. What's more, massaging the skin can actually overstimulate circulation, exacerbating problems such as sensitive skin, rosacea, or broken capillaries.
As for the claim that jade rollers can reduce dark circles and wrinkles - jade rollers are of zero help because they don't address the underlying causes of either of these problems. See our individual articles based on peer-reviewed published studies for what really works for dark circles and wrinkles.
Best case scenario: The most likely benefit of a jade roller is to reduce puffiness under the eyes ...... if the puffiness is caused by fluid retention rather than other common causes. We recommend using the small end of the jade roller to gently massage the puffy area with a light touch to help reduce the swelling.
Note: If you can see your skin moving, you are being too aggressive with the roller. This is a big problem because it means you are pulling on the skin's elastin, which can cause sagging.
Can jade rollers help skin care products absorb better?
Last but not least, you may have heard that jade rollers can help "push" ingredients into the skin so that they are better absorbed. The truth? There is nothing better than a jade roller that helps your skincare products penetrate better than applying them with your fingers.
How does it work? The answer boils down to chemistry: absorption depends entirely on the molecular size of the ingredients in the products you use. The surface of your skin needs some ingredients, such as antioxidants, to stop environmental aggressions before they affect your skin; other ingredients, such as peptides and retinols, must be absorbed more deeply to work their magic. A carefully formulated product contains some ingredients that remain on the surface and some that penetrate much deeper; no special application methods are required.
The bottom line on jade rollers
We admit that Jade Rollers feel great on the skin - even refreshing. If you use them gently and enjoy the experience, they can be a welcome addition to self-care. To be sure, jade rollers are not necessary to get the skin you want, and as with many areas of skin care, it's important to keep your expectations realistic.
