If you’ve been on Instagram in the last, oh, two years, you’ve probably seen a video of someone jade rolling their face (like the one above). Whether they're rolling or scraping (the term used for Gua Sha) or simply kneading their cheeks with their fingertips, facial massages are everywhere—but do they actually do anything for your skin?
Angela Kim, founder of Savor Beauty and natural beauty expert, says "yes," and recommends doing it two to three times a week before going to bed. "It helps to increase circulation, which decreases puffiness and can help make your face appear more lifted. Plus, I find the rhythmic motion meditative. It melts the muscle tension in my jaw away."
Sign me up. How do I do it? Always prep your skin with a few drops of facial oil to create some slip before massaging. You don’t want to be pulling or dragging. When using a jade roller or Gua Sha, always move the tool up and out—from the center of your face to the outer edges, from your chin to either ear and from the inner corner of your eyes to the outer corners. Go between your eyebrows to relax the "elevens" (the two vertical expression lines many of us tend to get when scrunching out foreheads), and finally, don't forget the neck, which is often neglected. "My Pilates instructor likes to use the roller on my neck with some cinnamon arnica oil, which is incredibly soothing. The aroma itself is grounding and the rolling helps to loosen any tightness," says Kim. Now that's our kind of nightcap.
Are there any extra benefits?
Jade naturally transmits infrared rays, which increase circulation, and the pressure of the roller or Gua Sha reduces eye puffiness (especially if you pop it in the freezer a few minutes before rolling), drains the body of toxins and improves skin elasticity. Feel like your morning beauty routine has gotten a little hectic? Rushing through your serums? Jade rolling is a quick way to calm down. The few minutes it takes to roll and sink products even deeper into your skin is the perfect time to take a deep breath, relax and start your day on a cool note.
