Have you seen your favorite celebs or influencers raving about the benefits of a facial roller on Instagram? This ancient beauty tool—also called a facial massage roller or jade roller—has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and made its way onto the American beauty scene a few years ago.

Fans claim that the benefits of facial rollers range from anti-aging to reducing puffiness, but is there any scientific backing to these claims? We’ll dive into the truth about facial rollers and answer all your questions, including:

• What is a facial roller?
• What does a facial roller do?
• Do facial rollers provide anti-aging benefits?
• What is the difference between jade and rose quartz facial rollers?
• How do I use a facial roller?

What Is a Facial Roller?

A facial roller is a hand-held tool with a cylindrical-shaped stone that rotates as you roll it across your skin. Dating back to China’s Qing dynasty, these beauty tools are also called jade rollers since they’re often made from jade. However, you can find facial rollers made from other semi-precious stones such as rose quartz and amethyst. Some makers of facial rollers suggest chilling the tool in the refrigerator for a cooling effect on your skin as you use it.

What Does a Facial Roller Do?

Whether you’re just looking to take your at-home facial to the next level or just relax, here are 4 skin benefits of a facial roller:

1. They Feel Good

You don’t need a scientific study to prove one thing about facial rollers: they feel amazing on your skin! Taking some time out of your day to gently massage your face with a facial roller can feel relaxing. If you’re looking to add a pampering dose of self-care to your skin care routine, a facial roller is a relatively inexpensive treat.

Try: Kerstin Florian Jade Roller Instant Glow, which features two different sized rollers made of genuine jade. For best results, use the larger end for rolling on your forehead and cheeks and the smaller roller for under your eyes. This jade roller also includes a fabric pouch to safely stow it away when you’re done with your face massage.

2. They Increase Circulation

According to a 2018 study, a five-minute massage with a facial roller increased blood flow to the face for about ten minutes after the massage. This increase can help give you the appearance of a healthy glow—albeit a very temporary one.

Try: The Yon-Ka My Massage Crystal is made from green aventurine, a type of crystal from the quartz family, and has a cylindrical shape that differs from the design of a traditional jade roller to provide a meditative massage experience and encourage a glowing complexion.

3. They May Enhance the Application of Products

One purported benefit of facial rollers is that they have the ability to increase the effectiveness of skin care products. One reason this could theoretically be true is because applying a serum or facial oil using a facial roller, instead of your fingers, encourages product penetration. Since the product is fully applied to your skin when using a facial roller, there’s no risk of lost product that gets soaked up by the skin on your hands.

“I don’t know of any scientific studies on whether facial rollers actually increase the effectiveness of products,” says board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO, Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “But, it’s possible the temporary circulation boost that happens as a result of facial massages could help your skin better absorb topical products. When active ingredients are better absorbed into the skin instead of just sitting on the surface, they have the potential to be more effective.”

Try: Using the LATHER Jade Roller with LovelySkin LUXE Anti-Aging Peptide Serum. This anti-aging treatment contains advanced peptides to support collagen production, hyaluronic acid to hydrate parched skin and Persian silk tree extract, which protects skin cells by spurring melatonin production. Watch this video to learn more about how to minimize the appearance of wrinkles for rejuvenated skin with this peptide serum.

Massaging a facial roller over a sheet mask can also be a relaxing combination. Try the Avene Soothing Sheet Mask, a calming formula with Avene thermal spring water designed to help soften skin and soothe even the most sensitive skin.

4. They May Reduce Puffiness and Inflammation

Using a facial roller, much like massaging anywhere on your body, encourages lymphatic drainage, which can help decrease the appearance of puffiness. If you chill your facial roller in the refrigerator, it will function much like a cold compress, causing the blood vessels near the surface of your skin to contract, therefore reducing inflammation and redness.

Even so, a facial roller isn’t a quick fix for serious skin issues. “Using a chilled facial roller might feel good on a mild sunburn or skin that’s red and irritated from waxing, but it’s not going to help treat inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema,” Dr. Schlesinger says.

Try: The Osmosis Skincare Cool Skin Tool, a solid alloy facial massager that’s designed to be stored in the refrigerator and stays cool for up to thirty minutes of use. Instead of the traditional roller design, this tool has a round, wide end that you can sweep across your face, neck or body for a gentle massage.

Do Facial Rollers Have Anti-Aging Benefits?

Though facial rollers can provide some benefits for skin, not all the claims you’ve heard are true. Some makers of facial rollers claim that facial rollers have the ability to help stimulate collagen production, draw out toxins, improve facial contour and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but none of these claims have any scientific basis.

“To really see a notable difference in wrinkle reduction, I’d recommend a topical treatment like retinol,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “If it’s a better facial contour you’re after, NuFACE’s line of microcurrent devices are clinically proven to do just that.”

Which Facial Roller Is Better, Jade or Rose Quartz?

Most facial rollers are made of jade or rose quartz, both semi-precious stones. In traditional Chinese medicine, these stones have different associations: jade is said to be cleansing while rose quartz is said to be calming and healing. However, because these benefits haven’t been scientifically proven, you might as well choose a facial roller based on which color you like best: green (jade) or pink (rose quartz).

How to Use a Facial Roller: Dos and Don’ts

DO use your facial roller on clean skin that’s been moistened with a serum or facial oil.

DO clean your facial roller regularly with soap and water, just like you would with your other beauty tools that touch your face, like makeup brushes.

DO follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use your facial roller. Usually, slow, upward strokes and a light touch are recommended.

DON’T use a facial roller if you have had cosmetically injected facial fillers. “Any pressure from a facial roller could disrupt the placement of dermal fillers,” Dr. Schlessinger says.

DON’T press hard or roll too fast. “Massaging your face with too much pressure could aggravate acne or even rupture capillaries beneath the surface of your skin,” Dr. Schlessinger says.

Are you waking up with puffy eyes? See our recommendations for masks, devices and other products that can help reduce eye puffiness.