Some skincare trends come and go, but facial rollers continue.
If you’ve been (stubbornly) avoiding this trend for years, you’re probably wondering if all the fuss is really worth it.
Spoiler alert: The face roller is totally worth the hype.
These handy facial massage tools give you quick boosts like removing puffiness, helping your favorite lotions and lotions absorb, and more. But our favorite part is how good they feel on your face.
Read on to learn more about these powerful self-care icons, check out our list of the best facial rollers, and find out why one should have a place in your skincare cabinet.
A quick look at the best face roller:
- Rose Quartz Roller
- Green Jade Roller
- Amethyst Roller
- Black Obsidian Stone Roller
- Stainless Steel Roller
- 3D Metal Roller
- Electric Face Roller
What is the Face Roller?
These facial massage tools have ancient Chinese history and come in many types and styles (more on that later).
Generally speaking, traditional facial rollers – which you can pick up almost anywhere – are small hand tools made of stone, usually jade or rose quartz.
Standard face rollers have two stones at each end of the handle—one 1.5 to 2 inches wide and the other less than an inch long. Think of them as small rolling pins with stones.
But now, you’ll find facial massagers in a variety of different designs. Some will be stored in the refrigerator, some will vibrate, and some have unique shapes designed to contour your face.
The idea is that these little devices slide over your face, giving you a sweet massage and, of course, the feel-good vibe.
Are there Any Proven Benefits of Face Rollers?
What Does A Facial Massage Do?
The science behind facial massages is a bit stingy at the moment, so the benefits now outweigh anything.
To learn more about rollers, we spoke with Dr. Joshua Zeichner, associate professor of dermatology and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
“Despite their popularity, unfortunately, we have little data on the true effects of facial rollers,” Zeichner said. what.
“Rollers are usually made of cold stone,” he explained. “When they’re applied to the skin, the hypothermia constricts blood vessels and reduces inflammation. The pressure of the rollers on the skin is thought to enhance lymph flow to remove excess fluid.”
Makes sense to us. What other evidence do we have that face rollers may have legitimate benefits? let’s see.
Reduce Facial Puffiness
As Zeichner explains, facial rollers can reduce puffiness when used properly and in the direction of lymphatic flow. “They provide benefits similar to lymphatic massage,” he says.
Basically, lymphatic massage involves applying pressure to the skin in a stroking motion to stimulate the lymphatic vessels. Your lymph vessels are a bit like blood vessels, but they carry lymph (aka fluid) from different tissues in your body to your lymph nodes to be filtered out. Your body does this all the time to protect you from infection (and HeLa swelling) – this is called lymphatic drainage.
TBH, there isn’t a lot of evidence that your body needs help with the process, unless you have lymphatic dysfunction (aka lymphedema, which is hereditary or the result of lymph node removal surgery).
However, a small study still found that facial massage reduced facial sagging in the majority of study participants, who were healthy volunteers. Some experts believe these benefits are the result of improved blood and lymph flow.
So the next time you wake up and your face looks a little swollen or puffy (like after a long night of energy), a facial massage might help drain any stagnant lymph and reduce puffiness.
Promote Blood Flow
Using a facial roller stimulates blood flow to your face, potentially brightening your appearance (think: the glow you get after a hard workout). Zeichner reminds us that despite claims that rollers help stimulate facial blood flow, this benefit is still considered unclear and unproven.
Potentially Reduce Signs of Aging
It’s safe to say that this is one of the most popular reasons people use face rollers.
We’ve already mentioned a small study that found that the majority of participants who engaged in facial massage experienced a reduction in sagging.
But another small study showed that using a facial massager and anti-aging cream (or, as we like to say, “pro-aging”) can reduce wrinkles and neck sagging. One thing to note: The device used in the study was a sonic massager (think: vibration).
Increase the Absorption of Skin Care Products
“Facial rollers may help enhance penetration of active ingredients into serums,” says Zeichner.
Since you’ve applied a serum or oil before rolling (more on that later), these tools help them penetrate deeper by sliding the products into your skin and giving you a huge boost.
That part is still anecdotal, though: “Some people think that rollers should be applied directly to the skin on top of the serum, however, there’s no real data that they actually enhance the product’s penetration,” adds Zeichner.
Soothes and Cools Your Face
Tossing the tumbler in the refrigerator is a popular method.
Cold therapy is often used to reduce inflammation and pain, so rolling a cool stone over your face may help relieve general inflammation or inflammation caused by acne, eczema, or psoriasis. (Though it won’t replace other treatments for these conditions.)
mood booster
OK, listen to us. Massaging your face can be a quick way to improve your mood. According to a 2008 study, for some people, a facial massage may reduce anxiety (tightly hugging a facial roller). Of course, facial rollers are not a substitute for mental health resources, and they are definitely not a panacea for any situation.