Facial Rollers: What Are They For and How Are They Used?

Massaging your face with a facial roller can bring a feeling of relaxation and provide certain benefits for your skin. How is it used? What are the benefits? Learn more here!
Facial Rollers: What Are They For and How Are They Used?

Last update: 07 June, 2022

You’ve probably seen online tutorials or graphic manuals teaching how to use facial rollers. These cosmetic tools are all the rage because of the benefits they bring to the face.

The main features of a facial rolleras it’s most commonly known- are the manufacturing elements. It’s a prodcut that, depending on the type, may include metal, needles, or stones.

Those of the latter material is gaining popularity due to “mineral cosmetics,”a new concept based on the benefits that the dermis obtains from precious or semi-precious rocks via transcutaneous processes.

What are facial rollers?

Facial rollers are instruments designed to massage the face, aid lymphatic drainage, promote blood flow, and allow better absorption of the active ingredients in cosmetics.

The utensil consists of a cylindrical stone at each end, one larger than the other. The larger one relaxes the jaw, forehead, and cheeks, while the smaller one works on more susceptible areas such as the lips and eye contour.

These devices are said to stimulate collagen production and relax facial skin. Their use began in cosmetic dermatology which, as indicated by the Fundación Piel Sana, is oriented to the protection, prevention, and treatment of skin aging.

There’s no conclusive scientific evidence about their virtues, but users claim that the effects of a facial massage with these tools, especially those with mineral rocks, favor a healthier-looking complexion.

¿Qué son los rodillos faciales?
The benefits of facial rollers come from anecdotal data. They’re believed to be ideal for maintaining healthy skin.

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The types of facial rollers

There are cold rollers, made with a metal plate that cools the face. Another type is micro-needling rollers, but their use is for professionals due to the invasive nature of the treatment they provide. There are also uplifting or hexagonal rollers with massaging stones.

However, nowadays, the most famous and recommended for skin care at home are natural stones. They’re presented below.

Jade face rollers

Jade is the ornamental rock often used for the production of massage rollers. The reasons are the protective properties linked to the minerals of origin. It’s believed that, when receiving self-massages with the green roller, the skin expels toxins, delays aging, and revitalizes its energy field.

A singularity of this device is that it maintains for long periods the cold temperature, even when touching the dermis, which is ideal in cases of irritations or prolonged exposure to the sun.

The facial rollers can be various colors.

Turquoise facial rollers 

The qualities of the turquoise shade in rollers are a tightening effect, detoxification, stress release, and radiance.

Red stone facial rollers 

Red rollers are rare. They’re linked to anti-aging massages, spot removal, and stimulation of good energy.

Rose quartz

This is considered one of the most powerful crystals for skin repair. Although its effects have not been fully scientifically studied, popular literature suggests that it oxygenates and relaxes facial muscles.

In fact, in Eastern culture, it’s said to heal the emotions, while smoothing wrinkles and purifying the complexion. Just like the jade roller, they’re part of the indispensable tools when applying the gua sha massage technique.

Transparent facial rollers

This variety of quartz contains many more mineral salts, which some people believe lead to the increase of good energy during self-massages on the face.

Amethyst

This is also known as purple quartz and is the roller that’s most sought after to calm daily stress. Another of its virtues is its ability to calm inflammation caused by acne.

Black Obsidian

Obsidian is a glass product that comes from the smelting of lava. It’s often used in meditation, spiritual work, and self-care. In dermo-cosmetics, obsidian involves the growth of collagen production, as well as increased circulation, minimization of swelling, and relief of pimple breakouts.

Blue

Blue rollers are made with a stone named sodalite, which are often linked in cosmetic dermatology to skin cell hydration, elasticity, and scar minimization.

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The benefits of facial rollers

Facial rollers are included every day in many beauty routines to obtain the benefits linked to each stone. In addition, they’re also linked to the following benefits:

  • A relaxing sensation
  • The reduction of dark circles under the eyes
  • Improved skin elasticity and luminosity
  • Contour definition
  • Channeling the effectiveness of treatments and creams for the face
  • The relief of redness
  • The reduction of premature expression lines.

How to use a facial roller

A facial self-massage should last 5 to 10 minutes and require a serum, cream, mask, or non-comedogenic oil for the roller to glide without stretching the skin too much. The process starts by cleansing the face and then applying the serum or moisturizing substance of your choice.

After a few minutes, start rolling in the following order so that the product has penetrated the skin well.

1. Start high

Start at the forehead and eyebrows, using the larger end of the facial roller. Use gentle strokes from between the eyebrows to the roots of the hair.

2. Move to the middle zone of the face

In this part, massage from the nose to the temples. Then, repeat the movements, but starting at the nose and ending at the ears. For the eye contour area , use the small head of the roller, rolling from the tear trough to the end of the eyebrows.

3. End at the lower zone of the face

Finally, sliding the roller from inside to outside, massage the jaw including the lower jowls.

It’s recommended that you extend your massage to your neck.

How to use facial rollers
To facilitate the use of a facial roller, it’s a good idea to first apply a serum or cream.

Suggestions for using facial rollers

Each roller is different. Since it’s a cosmetic instrument, it’s best to read the manufacturer’s instructions. In general, consider the following tips:

  • Facial rollers are more effective if you cool them, as these temperature levels favor the deflation of facial muscles. You can store your roller in the refrigerator.
  • You can use them day and night for a week at a time, but after this time, it’s advisable to let the skin rest for the same amount of time before massaging it again.
  • Don’t share your roller or use it if you’re going through a severe acne outbreak, as the infection could spread.
  • Disinfect it with alcohol to kill bacteria.
  • Wash the facial roller with warm water and soap; don’t forget to dry it before putting it in the fridge.

What is the best facial roller?

The guidance of a professional esthetician is essential before purchasing a facial roller, as they can help to simplify your choice to the right one that suits your needs. However, in general terms, they all have the same effects. It’s just about keeping some of the particular traits of your face in mind when deciding.

In any case, the important thing is to verify that the equipment has a certificate of authenticity. Remember that you will pass this tool over your face and a fake stone could damage it.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.



This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.