This is why jade rollers are more than just Instagram props
by Penny Choi
Once a beauty trend reaches Instagram and becomes a popular hashtag, it’s difficult to resist trying it out for ourselves! That’s certainly how I felt when I started seeing all those #jaderoller posts all over my feed, so I got curious and bought one to try. Do they actually have skincare benefits or are they just overpriced facial massage tools? Read on to find out if it’s worth the splurge!
Long before becoming a flatlay staple, jade and rose quartz rollers have been used for centuries in Chinese skincare. Jade is revered as a symbol of grace, beauty, and longevity while rose quartz is known as the love stone. Both stones are believed to have healing properties that can benefit skin such as boosting blood circulation, reducing swelling and inflammation, draining the lymph nodes, and allowing deeper penetration of skincare products.
So which roller should you choose? Honestly, I don’t think it would make a big difference since they work on the skin in pretty much the same way. I opted to get rose quartz one even though it’s a bit more expensive than the jade variant because I couldn’t resist the millennial pink!
I purchased my roller from Hima (P1,550 at BeautyMNL) and I’ve also seen good reviews for the rollers by Veste.ph! You’ll probably be able to find more online that are priced cheaper, but there’s a high chance that those are fakes. As with cosmetics, fake rollers can be bad for the skin since they might be made using abrasive materials or even toxic paints, so only buy from trusted sources. When I was shopping around for my roller, I noticed that prices from Hima and Veste generally start at P1,000 so I referenced that for my budget. If you’re shopping at a physical store, you can also try to check the roller’s authenticity. The stone should feel smooth to the touch and naturally cool. It should also feel a bit heavy, like you’re holding actual stones.
I first started using my rose quartz roller as part of my evening routine. Face rollers work best with a heavy moisturizer or a face oil, so since that is the last step of my night skincare, it was easy to adapt rolling into my routine. To use, I apply 2 to 3 drops of the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate on my skin then gently roll the stone on my face in upward and outward motions. You can see it demonstrated in this Youtube video by Gothamista. Rolling the correct way drains the lymphatic nodes, which is what helps improve your skin condition.
On days when I wake up with extra puffy eyes from staying up late or eating a lot of junk food, I use the smaller stone to massage my eye area using the same upward and outward motions. It really it does calm the puffiness, especially if you put the roller in the fridge for about 10 minutes! The cold helps to bring down the swelling, and it feels very refreshing, too. You can also the roller if you have a lot of tension on your jawline. A gentle massage can soothe both your muscles and your mind if not helping your cheeks to stay smooth and avoid sagging.
Another trick I like to do is running the roller over my face while I have a sheet mask on! It helps my skin better absorb the essence from the mask, and the added cooling sensation feels really nice and relaxing, too!
After using your roller, make sure to wash it with mild soap and leave it to dry completely before storing. This prevents product and bacteria buildup, and helps preserve the integrity of the stone. If it doesn’t roll easily, you can rub a bit of almond oil to lubricate the mechanism.
I’ve been using my roller for a few months now, and it has become a nighttime ritual that I really look forward to. It’s an easy self-care activity that I can incorporate into my busy life. I do it for less than 10 minutes a day and, though it may sound like an extra step, I love how it instantly relaxes me. The cool sensation is very pleasant, and I’ve noticed that my skincare products seem to work better even when I use less product.
So, are rollers actually worth the splurge? For me, they are! Rolling may not have drastically improved my skin, but it’s made me look forward to doing my skincare routine every night. I know I can do a face massage with just my hands but the rose quartz roller is easier to use and also provides a (pretty) visual reminder to do so.
Have you tried jade or rose quartz rollers? How do you incorporate them into your routine?