How to Use Jade Rollers for Your Face

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If you’re looking for a skin care tool that depuffs your face, boosts glow, and helps you chill out, try a jade roller. Learning how to use a jade roller is so easy, you can become an expert in a matter of minutes. But if you need more reasons to add one to your routine, jade rollers are also travel-friendly, come at accessible price points, and offer a long list of benefits. That’s why you’ve seen them all over your Instagram feed, though they’ve been popular for centuries longer than social media has been around.

“Jade rollers may seem like the newest trend, but they actually have been used in traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries,” says Gudrun Snyder, acupuncturist and founder of Moon Rabbit Acupuncture in Chicago. “Not only do they depuff your face, they also improve blood circulation and relieve facial and jaw tension. Moreover, jade is suitable for sensitive or irritated skin because it can calm inflammation.”

Not all jade rollers are actually made of jade; you can now find them made of rose quartz, obsidian, or stainless steel. Whichever material you choose, just keep a few tips in mind to make sure you’re maximizing its benefits. Below, the ultimate guide to using face rollers and jade rollers, according to experts.

What is a jade roller?“The practice of using jade tools to promote health and beauty dates back to the Qing dynasty,” says Charlotte Yau, founder of Muihood, a skin care brand rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Yau explains that the gemstone has been “valued for centuries for its healing properties and is believed to have balancing and protective qualities, making it a revered material in Chinese culture.” Fast-forward to 2024 and the jade roller’s branding may have evolved a bit, but it’s still a popular beauty tool.

Jade rollers are typically used on the face, neck, and chest, says Snyder. That’s why many of them are dual-ended: “one side with a larger roller for broad areas like chest, cheeks, and forehead, and the other, smaller one for delicate areas such as around the eyes and nose,” she explains.

Gudrun Snyder with her jade roller.

Courtesy of Gudrun Snyder

You may have seen rollers used with gua sha boards, another beauty tool with centuries of history. So what’s the difference in form and function? “A jade roller is a handheld tool with a smooth, rolling stone for gentle facial massage, while a gua sha tool is a flat stone used to apply more pressure for deeper tissue massage and sculpting,” says Stephanie Zheng, holistic esthetician and the founder of TCM-inspired beauty brand Mount Lai. “These are two very different tools, but both are rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and offer incredible results.”

Snyder explains that gua sha boards can have either smooth or serrated edges and are made with a variety of edge profiles to target different areas of the face. Yau also loves gua sha spoons, which are shaped with a flat edge and rounded tip for acupressure.

If you can’t decide which one is right for you, Snyder says the choice comes down to personal preference. You can also use them together for double the benefits. “I like to incorporate both tools into my skin care routine and use them depending on what results I am looking for: jade rolling for calming and depuffing; gua sha for tension relief and sculpting.”

Stephane Zheng with her preferred jade roller

Courtesy of Stephanie Zheng

Benefits of using a jade rollerFans of jade rolling say these tools can do everything from firming your skin to making serums absorb better. Dermatologists caution that not all of these benefits have robust scientific backing, but if it works for you, keep rolling.

“Jade rollers may offer several benefits for the skin, though it is important to note that the scientific evidence behind some of the benefits are limited,” says Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City. “There is no strong evidence to suggest that jade rollers have a long-term benefit in improving skin firmness or elasticity or that they can enhance product absorption.” Here’s what you can reasonably expect from consistent jade rolling:

Promotes lymphatic drainage and de-puffs. “Jade rollers apply gentle pressure to massage the face and may help improve lymphatic drainage of fluid and swelling,” says Dr. Chang. “This can be beneficial in areas that tend to swell more, like the undereyes.” Zheng also says that jade rolling can help “reduce puffiness of the face” through lymphatic drainage.Cools skin. “Jade rollers also have a cooling effect on the skin, which can be soothing and also help reduce swelling,” says Dr. Chang. Snyder loves the cooling sensation, which she says can help further reduce puffiness and inflammation.Boosts circulation and glow. If you notice your skin looks glowier after a jade-rolling session, that’s because the massage helped boost circulation. “Jade rollers can improve blood circulation to the area, which may give the skin a more vibrant complexion,” explains Dr. Chang.Helps reduce stress. Both Zheng and Snyder love the ritual of jade rolling, which forces you to slow down and relax. Zheng says the practice can help “relieve facial and jaw tension.” Dr. Chang also lists tension relief among the benefits of jade rolling, though she adds that these are “psychological benefits of relaxation” and therefore more of a “subjective benefit.”To get the most out of your jade roller, it’s important to roll certain areas of your face before others to maximize lymphatic drainage. Follow the step-by-step guide below if you’re a beginner.

Wash your face and apply a layer of serum or moisturizer before you begin rolling.According to Snyder, you should always begin by rolling your neck (before your face) so the lymph in your face can properly drain.Now you can start rolling your face. Zheng recommends starting with the middle of the face and rolling outward across the cheeks.Next, move to the eyebrows and roll upwards across the forehead.For your undereye area, Dr. Chang recommends using the smaller end of the jade roller and gently rolling from the inner eye outward.Roll again below the lower lip, rolling downward across the chin.If you’re using a dual-ended roller, use the smaller end for more delicate areas and flip to the larger end for broad surfaces.For extra cooling and reduction in swelling, Dr. Chang recommends storing your roller in the refrigerator before use.Gudrun Snyder demonstrates how to use a jade roller.

Courtesy of Gudrun Snyder

Jade roller mistakesThe good news: Jade rollers are fairly forgiving beauty tools. Just keep these common jade roller mistakes in mind before you pick one up.

Rolling in different directions. Zheng recommends always rolling in a single direction. If you don’t do this, you’re not getting the benefits of lymphatic drainage. “The idea is to roll out and away from the center of the face instead of rolling the tool back and forth,” she says. “The goal is to guide excess fluid away from the face instead of pushing it back and forth.”Using too much pressure. “Apply gentle pressure when using your jade roller, especially over irritated skin or active acne spots,” cautions Dr. Chang. “Pressing too hard can further irritate or inflame the skin.” According to Snyder, using a heavy hand can sometimes “cause damage to the delicate capillaries in your face and result in bruising.”Not applying skin care. While it’s not an absolute must, Dr. Chang says applying a face oil or serum can help your jade roller glide with less friction. Snyder also says it’s smart to add a serum or moisturizer layer underneath to enhance the experience.Not rolling your neck first. “Remember to roll your neck,” says Snyder, who says only rolling your face won’t do an effective job of draining excess fluid.Not keeping your jade roller clean. “Always start with a clean jade roller and a clean face,” says Dr. Chang. Snyder agrees: “Remember that jade is a semi-porous stone. This means anything you use with it over time will be absorbed, so you should always clean your roller after each use to prevent bacteria buildup. You can do this with soap and water or with alcohol.”How to choose the right jade rollerJust as with choosing between jade rollers and gua sha boards, choosing the best jade roller for you is down to personal preference. Snyder has a few tips for beginners. If you want real jade, the color can vary “from pale to dark green,” but many of the green jade rollers on the market are actually made of marble. “The best way to be sure you are receiving real jade is by following the simple rule: You get what you pay for. If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is and you are likely buying a fake.” That’s not to say marble rollers are bad; they just won’t come with the additional properties associated with jade.

Snyder also advises considering what kind of roller design you want. “There are double-sided rollers, rollers with texture, and rollers that are smooth,” she says. Smooth jade offers a cooling experience, textured rollers can give a light exfoliating effect, and dual-ended rollers are great for targeting different areas.

Gudrun Snyder demonstrates different jade rollers.

Courtesy of Gudrun Snyder

Snyder and Dr. Chang are both fans of Mount Lai’s De-Puffing Jade Facial Roller. “It’s a classic jade roller that has a larger end for larger areas like the cheeks and forehead and a smaller end for around the eyes and nose,” says Dr. Chang. She also loves the Sacheu Stainless-Steel Face Roller. “Because of the material, it’s very sturdy and less likely to break,” she says.

If you’re looking for a “more advanced” jade roller, Zheng recommends her brand’s Vitality Qi White Jade Myofascial Release Cryo Facial Roller, which she describes as a “foam roller for the face.” The dual-ended roller features features two different textures and materials. “One side is textured white jade to smooth fascia, and the other side is stainless steel for that extra boost of depuffing,” she explains.

Snyder also likes keeping two sizes of jade rollers on hand at all times. “A mini one and a larger one are both handy to have around,” she says. “It’s hard to choose just one!”

Sacheu Stainless-Steel Face Roller

Mount Lai The De-Puffing Jade Roller

Sarah Y. Wu is a Glamour beauty contributor. Follow her on Instagram @say.wu.