Last Updated: June 1, 2021
Jade rolling feels good, looks pretty, and, as far as skincare routines go, is pretty low maintenance. But does it really prevent signs of aging and how do you actually do it? Grove writer, Mackenzie Sanford, gave it a try and is here to document her experience and results.
I hoard skincare products like a dragon hoards gold. I’ve got acid toners, a jar of snail mucus, Egyptian Magic, four cleansers, a gua sha tool, my beloved blackhead strips, and now –– a jade roller.
I’ve been wanting to try out one of these bad boys for ages. They look like the type of elegant curio you’d find on the vanity of Hedy Lamarr, and they boast alluring claims of lymph drainage and sculpted cheekbones to boot — although it was this video that really sealed the deal for me.
So, what’s all the hype about? Do jade rollers really work, or am I just a sucker for pretty things? Let’s find out.
From natural household to personal care, everything at Grove is healthier for you and the planet — and works! We recommend monthly shipments and product refills that you can edit or move at any time. No monthly fees or commitments required.
Jade rollers have been around since the 17th century, when they were used in the beauty routines of ancient Chinese royalty. They work their magic by a two-fold process: first, they stimulate blood circulation by gently massaging your facial tissues, leaving your skin brighter and subtly contoured.
The second way they work is by draining lymphatic fluid. Lymph fluid moves white blood cells and nutrients through your body, but it also excretes toxins. Unlike blood, which moves fairly quickly on its own, lymph fluid is more slow-going and can become “stuck,” causing swelling and puffiness. Enter jade rolling. It works stagnant lymph fluid out of your face, resulting in less puffiness and more glowing radiance.
The core tenet of jade rolling is to do it on a clean face, lest you move makeup and dirt deeper into your skin with the tool. Lubricate your freshly washed visage with a good serum or moisturizer that has a lot of slip — otherwise the roller could pull and tug at your skin and potentially contribute to wrinkles.
There’s really no right or wrong way to use the jade roller, but it’s recommended that you roll in upward strokes from the center outward, applying a medium pressure. It helps to visually split your face in half, and work one side at a time, in this order:
That’s it! As you roll, you’ll probably notice your skin start to flush. This is a good sign –– it means your circulation is increasing.
For best results, jade roll daily for five minutes. I think when people fail at it and write off jade rolling as just another fad, it’s because they aren’t doing it consistently for long enough.
To get the most out of my jade roller routine, I set a timer on my phone for five minutes and roll away. It’s a good time for daydreaming of magical beasts in faraway lands and staring lovingly at my cat.
As with any skincare tool, too much buildup on your jade roller can cause acne and irritation –– thanks, but no thanks. Eschew the icky nasties, and clean the roller after each use to keep moisturizers, body oils, and bacteria from accumulating.
On lazy days, I wet a cotton pad with micellar water and give the rollers a rub-down, but about once a week, I wash it with a gentle cleanser and warm water.
I jade rolled my face and neck every day for a week to see if it really does what it claims to do.
Claim: Jade rolling lends definition to the cheekbones and jawline.
Verdict: While it’s (sadly) impossible for a jade roller to slim your face, they do a pretty decent job of contouring and sculpting, especially with daily use. After a couple days, my round cheeks were a little more defined, but there was no noticeable difference on my jawline.
Claim: Skin has a healthy glow after jade rolling.
Verdict: Jade rolling increases blood flow, which can result in plumped, firmed, and glowing skin. This was definitely something I noticed from day one. My skin had a healthy, rosy glow, like I’d been running hand-in-hand with a handsome-yet-dangerous faerie king through his enchanted forest instead of waking up late and staring at my phone for an hour.
Claim: Rolling decreases redness and puffiness.
Verdict: Puffiness isn’t a problem for me, but a lot of people rave about jade rolling to defeat morning puffiness. Improved circulation and lymphatic drainage helps ease swelling, so it stands to reason that jade rolling would be great for this purpose.
Try putting your roller in the fridge or freezer overnight for a little extra oomph to get rid of swelling in the AM.
Claim: Jade rolling provides a gentle facial massage that relieves tension and relaxes facial muscles.
Verdict: The divine sensation I got the first time I used my roller could rival the pleasurable tingles I get from my favorite ASMR video. The jade roller eases the tension I have in my jaw from anxiously clenching my teeth all day like I’m driving 245 kph on the Autobahn. And a few strokes over my cheeks does wonders for relaxing my other overworked facial muscles.
Claim: Jade rollers help deliver product deeper into your skin, aiding quicker absorption.
Verdict: Honestly, I wasn’t expecting this to work, but it did. I have one serum in particular that takes forever to absorb, but it smells really good so I keep using it.
I dolloped the usual amount on my face after cleansing, rolled my heart out for five minutes, and let me tell you –– instead of looking like a greasy mess for an hour, the serum absorbed super quickly and left me with a subtle, dewy glow. Jade rolling is also great for moving face masks deeper into your skin.
Claim: Jade rollers move stagnant lymph fluid and flush toxins that accumulate underneath facial tissue.
Verdict: Manual lymph drainage is a real thing, and there’s science to back it up. While it’s hard to say if all my jade rolling succeeded in kicking my lymph fluid into gear, my face certainly feels less stuffy and more awake than it did pre-jade roller.
On aesthetics alone, I give the Superbloom Jade Quartz Facial Roller a 10/10. I’ve given it pride of place on my vanity so I can admire its beauty amongst my hoard of treasures while I primp and preen.
It’s got a lovely weight to it that highlights the quality of stone used, unlike some rollers on the market which are made from plastic and harsh dyes. It’s super easy to use, and I love how it makes me feel like I’m going the extra mile — especially on days when self-care is the last thing on my mind.
About the author: Mackenzie Sanford is a writer and musician reading too many Medieval fantasy novels in the Midwest. She’s been writing for Grove since 2020.
Discover 10+ expert tips to get glowing skin, including Grove members' choices for top natural-ingredient products, skin-care routines, and more.
Do makeup remover towels really work with just warm water — no cleansers? Well, we tried it — and here’s what we found out.
A konjac sponge is a natural exfoliator that’s kind to your skin and the environment. But is it all it’s cracked up to be? Here’s the lowdown.
Natural foundation is free of harsh chemicals found in traditional foundations. Here’s a guide on what else is good to know.