It may be tiny, but over the past few years, the jade roller has gained a mighty following of devotees who swear by its beauty benefits.
The small metal wand—a staple for any self-care Sunday—has a smooth, oblong jade stone affixed to one or both ends. It glides over the skin much like a paint roller glides over a wall. It's not generally an applicator, though; instead, it functions as a facial massage tool traditionally used along the jawline and the under-eye area.
And though its buzzy today, jade rolling actually has a long, rich history in traditional Chinese medicine for its purported ability to depuff and leave users with a more radiant, even skin tone.
What does a jade roller do?
"Jade rollers, like any facial massage, do help stimulate circulation and aid lymphatic drainage, which can help decrease puffiness," says Susan Bard, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. For this reason, they may also reduce scars and acne marks, says Debra Jaliman, MD, also a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
And because they're made of natural stone, jade rollers stay cool to the touch and can be even more effective if you store them in the refrigerator or freezer, says Sonia Batra, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and cohost of The Doctors. The cold temperature of the stone may help constrict blood vessels and reduce redness, ultimately increasing skin brightness, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
Using jade rollers may also help enhance penetration of skincare products that have been applied to the skin, says Zeichner.
Do jade rollers really work?
While they may be widely touted as skincare miracle workers, there's nothing inherently healing about the jade stone, and you are unlikely to achieve long-lasting benefits or significant collagen stimulation from jade rolling, says Bard.
That doesn't mean it's not worth the time of day, though. "Any gadget that increases the blood flow to your skin will definitely give your skin a glow," says Jaliman. So, if it feels good and is a welcome part of your self-care routine, jade rolling can't hurt. Just don't expect to get J.Lo's youthful aura overnight—or even in a month or two. 
How to use a jade roller for the biggest beauty benefits
If you're going to give it a try, you may as well do it the right way. To increase efficacy, follow this step-by-step, says Jaliman.
- Ensure your face and the jade roller are clean before using.
- Apply serum or facial oil to your skin.
- Starting at the neck, roll on gently upward and out, without applying too much pressure to prevent irritation. Slowly move up your face, ending with your forehead.
- When finished, clean the jade roller with soap and water. Let dry.
- Store in the refrigerator or freezer between uses.
How often to use a jade roller?
Finding time to squeeze an extra step into your beauty routine is tricky. And the good news: While you'll definitely want to reach for your favorite face moisturizer or vitamin C serum on a daily basis, you don't have to be quite so regimented with jade rolling—unless you want to. There's really no set rule, though it's safe to use daily, or even twice daily—once in the morning and once at night—if you'd like, says Jaliman. It's really about personal preference.
