Do you roll?

At one point or another you’ve seen a facial roller pop up on your social media - whether scrolling through Instagram or watching your favourite influencer on Youtube, chances are you’ve seen one. And while you may think this is a new hip trend, it’s actually been around for a LONG time.

So Where Did They Come From?

Facial Rollers actually date back to 17th century China. There, they were used by the elite to keep skin beautiful and women ageless. And in ancient times, the properties in which the rollers were kept naturally cool were used by the Mayans and Egyptians to help aid muscle relief in massage.

Why Should I Care? What is a Facial Roller?

This tool is essentially a method of self-massage. Facial Rollers are handheld tools with two, rollable stones with one at each end.

What Will It Do For ME?

When you’re purchasing a product for yourself typically you don’t care about anything other than what it will do for you, with reason. Of course it doesn’t make sense for you to purchase a product if it doesn’t benefit you in some way, right? Well, it definitely has its benefits that's for sure. Facial rollers:

• Reduce puffiness by stimulating lymphatic drainage
• Improves blood circulation in the face (making skin look brighter and feel firmer)
• Aids with circulation
• Cools and soothes the skin (depuffing and tightening pores)
• Distributes skincare products deeper into the skin
• Can help reduce anxiety and tension
• Can contour the face (draining fluid from the face and contouring temporarily)
• Flushes toxins

Lymphatic Drainage - What Is It?

I know what you’re thinking - lymphatic drainage sounds like an operation where you have to spend days preparing yourself mentally and physically. But don’t worry, it’s not that serious. It’s just a fancy way of saying that it will de-puff the skin. Yep, really - that’s it.

Your body has something that’s called a ‘lymphatic system’. The lymphs that are in your body work hard to collect toxins and move them to the body’s waste systems. At times, the lymphs can become overwhelmed due to overexposure to toxins which causes them to hold onto more toxins than they should. By massaging the face with a facial roller, it is said to help reactivate the lymphs and aid with circulation & reduce puffiness (especially around the eyes).

What Are The Different Types of Facial Rollers?

There are different types of facial rollers (different crystals) that benefit different areas and skin issues.

• Rose Quartz: Said to be the crystal of love. It is believed to open up the heart at all levels (as the emotional healer). The Rose Quartz crystal is meant to detoxify the skin and fight signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
• Amethyst: Meant to fight daily stresses, calm inflammation, and fight pimples in acne-prone skin.
• Blue Sodalite: This stone is ideal for hydrating skin cells, while calming inflammation and helping promote healing and balance.
• Jade: The most common types of rollers. Perfect for irritated skin because it calms inflammation and improves skin elasticity.
• Obsidian: The most powerful energy of all crystals. A stone that helps reduce fluid retention and puffiness. Brings skin imbalances such as acne and eczema to the surface and releases them from the body. It is also said to extract negative energy which is beneficial to muscle tissues.

How to Use a Facial Roller

1. Start with a clean, dry face
2. Apply a facial oil, serum, or moisturizer - whichever you prefer
3. Start at the neck and roll upward (DON’T ROLL BACK AND FORTH - THIS WILL CAUSE WRINKLES!!!)
4. Roll from the jawline to the ear, perform this on both sides using gentle pressure - this can be done from the jaw all the way up to the cheekbone
5. Roll from the forehead up toward the temples, only in the upward direction
6. Roll flat over the eyebrows horizontally (this works especially at relieving a headache)
7. The smaller stone on the facial roller can be used for more delicate and hard to reach areas - it’s also good for the eyes (applying light pressure)

How to Clean a Facial Roller

Like any other skincare or makeup tools, you have to clean them. You wouldn’t use your powder brush without ever cleaning it - why? Because the build up will inevitably lead to damaged and irritated skin. The exact same will happen with facial rollers. Over time there will be a build up of excess oils or serums and it’s important to make sure you’re cleaning them after every use. Here’s how:

1. Use warm, soapy water and a soft cloth to wipe the roller clean
2. Use the same cleanser you use to wash your face - if this happens to be a very expensive cleanser, we get it, so just use the gentlest soap you have on hand
3. After washing, gently pat dry and lay it flat on a clean, dry towel to prevent rusting

The most important thing to remember is NEVER to use alcohol, acetone, or any other harsh chemical to wash as this will damage the stones.

So Do Facial Rollers Really Do Anything?

While having been around for years, it has been proven to do good to your skin. Everyday use of the facial roller will leave your face looking noticeably tighter and smoother. While the changes to your skin may not be a dramatic difference or may only be temporary, there is still good coming from its use.

Anytime you massage any of the tissues, you’re increasing circulation which is good for your skin. When you talk about massage in any form, it’s been proven to decrease puffiness by helping move the stuck fluid (lymph) away.

The Takeaway

No matter the skincare routine that you have in place, massaging your skin has been proven to give amazing benefits and results. We all want to be in control of our skin and facial rollers are one way to get started. Gently rolling or massaging will help increase blood flow, help with lymphatic drainage, and contour and depuff your face. With different types of facial rollers to choose from, it’s important to know that each one will carry benefits and for you to decide which one can be the most beneficial for you and your skin.