Written By: Shayan Ahmed
Probably, you’ve seen jade rollers on the shelves of beauty supply stores. It comes as a two-sided tool with a big and a small jade bead on each side. It’s usually sold in sets including the Gua sha tool which looks like a misshapen heart. While it may be one of the hottest new beauty trends, its roots go back literally hundreds of years. A Chinese tradition dating back to the Qing dynasty. As it does today, the jade roller was known for its anti-aging powers and keeping the skin looking young, among other things. However, back then it was largely a tool of the nobility.
A true jade roller should be made from a real jade. Although most jade rollers are affordable. However, if it’s too inexpensive, then it is not real jade. Also, if your jade roller seems a bit too perfect in shape, it could be a fake.
Gua sha, like jade rollers, also originated in China, but originally served to cure fatigue brought on by heat.
Today it’s used both on the body and the face. When used on the face it’s said to also aid lymphatic drainage, leaving the skin healthier-looking and more sculpted. Like jade rollers, gua sha also helps relieve puffiness making the skin look fresh, supple and healthy.
A few benefits of a jade roller:
- The roller massages the skin: Any type of massage helps to increase circulation, so a face roller can encourage circulation on your face. The increase in blood circulation means more oxygen and nutrients flowing to the skin, which translates into a brighter and more youthful glow.
- Reduces puffiness: Extra fluid can make the skin look puffy. By eliminating those toxins out, puffiness is reduced.
- It helps with dark circles: use the small end of a jade roller to roll over the under eyes area. In this case, you can put a little eye cream on your roller instead of serum.
- Relaxes facial tension: You can treat yourself to a DIY jade roller massage if you have a habit of clenching your jaw hard. The massage will help relieve some of the tension your habit leaves behind. When you massage along your jawline with the smaller end of the roller, you’ll feel an immediate release of stress held in that area.
How to use a Jade roller:
- First, put some serum or natural face oil on your jade roller.
- Take your jade roller and place it on the bridge of your nose. Gently roll the jade roller on your cheek, out towards the side of your face. Try to roll up rather than down.
- After you have rolled the cheek area, place the jade roller between your eyes (where a unibrow would connect). Gently roll up towards the hairline.
- Place the Jade roller on your chin and roll it up towards your ears.
- You can also use the smaller side of the jade roller to gently roll around the eye area, moving upwards and outwards towards the temples.
What about a Gua Sha?
This treatment brightens your complexion, sculpts and contours your face, and softens wrinkles and fine lines. Same as the jade roller, it also works best when used with a bit of serum or face oil to allow the tool to glide over the skin. All you have to do is repeat the same upward motion you used with the jade roller.
Hopefully, by now you have a clear idea of what these tools are used for and how to use them. Would you like to include these in your skincare routine? Let us know in the comments!