We Tried Jade Rollers To Find Out If They’re A Total Waste Of Money

Jade rollers definitely look pretty, but do they really deserve a place in your beauty cabinet?
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Julia Brucculieri/HuffPost
My jade roller sitting pretty with the trinkets on my dresser.

Keeping up with beauty trends and fads is almost as hard as keeping up with the Kardashians. There’s always something new to try, whether it be a sparkly eyeshadow palette, shiny new lipsticks, face masks made with snail secretions or a face tool meant to aid with reducing puffiness. 

Enter the jade roller: a paint roller–type tool for the face made from solid jade stone that’s been said to decrease puffiness and under-eye circles, and even minimize the look of fine lines. As Maria Tallarico at The Strategist wrote, jade rollers have been used by empresses and members of high society in China since the 17th century, but have recently experienced a boost in popularity in the U.S. 

The tool generally features a larger stone for cheeks, jaw and forehead and a smaller stone for under the eyes and around the mouth. To use it, apply gentle pressure while rolling the tool from the center of your face in upward and outward motions.

The gentle massaging motion is supposed to increase circulation and “stimulate the lymphatic system and lymphatic drainage throughout the face,” Jennifer Stoeckert, holistic facialist and creator of Minimal Beauty, told me. 

Dr. Jennifer Chwalek, M.D., a dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York, agreed that jade rollers can help with lymphatic drainage. 

“Whenever there’s stagnant circulation or swelling at all in the face, massage can help that lymph fluid drain into the [proper] channels and away from around your eyes and certain areas where it tends to settle,” she said. 

However, she added, “I don’t think you’re going to get the collagen stimulation from a jade roller or massage device that you get from Fraxel on your face, or even microneedling.” (Fraxel treatments use laser technology to treat a broad range of skin damage, from age spots to wrinkles and other signs of aging, while microneedling is a treatment that involves penetrating the skin with tiny needles to help boost collagen.) 

“It’s great for acute things like puffiness or redness,” Stoeckert said, noting that the jade stone is cool to the touch, which can be soothing on the skin. Many people, she added, also use the jade roller to help work treatment serums and oils deeper into their skin, while others simply like the ritual aspect of using the tool.

The lymphatic drainage that the roller is meant to stimulate can also help prevent or clear breakouts, Stoeckert said, though Dr. Chwalek was less certain of this claim; she told me she was unaware of a solid connection between acne and lymphatic drainage.

However, she did say that the relaxing properties of using a jade roller could indirectly help breakouts. It’s possible that the massaging motion of the jade roller can, on some level, stimulate certain hormones and have a relaxing effect on one’s well-being and stress levels, which can, in turn, affect acne, Dr. Chwalek explained. 

Just be sure to massage gently, as too much pressure could rupture pimples, leading to further inflammation or breakouts. Stoeckert recommended keeping the roller clean by washing it with soapy water after use.

Curiosity about jade rollers got the best of me, so, naturally, I decided to try this seemingly magical beauty tool for myself. 

Equipped with a brand new jade roller, I set out to use it every morning for a week, hoping it would result in brighter, less tired-looking skin. (I used this one sold by Minimal Beauty for $19, but other options can run you anywhere from $6.99 to over $60.) I have been plagued with dark under-eye circles since high school and anything that claims to help rid them is on my must-try list. 

I woke up on the first morning of the test period excited to give the tool a go. I washed and toned my face then applied my serum or oil ― one of my go-tos is A Complete’s Highly Concentrated Youth Preserve serum ― and then began rolling it along my jawline, cheeks and forehead. 

Stoeckert recommended using the roller on a clean face, as you don’t want to rub any dirt or makeup deeper into your skin. She also recommended rolling down your neck, too. 

“As you drain the face, you want to make sure that all the energy and movement can drain down into the neck and into the lymphatic ducts as well,” she said. 

The coolness of the jade felt quite nice on my skin ― it was soothing, as promised. The massaging motion was definitely enjoyable, and I think it helped release tension in my face. (For extra coolness, you can store the roller in the fridge.) While I noticed some very slight redness after rolling the tool over my face, especially on my forehead, it disappeared within seconds. 

I didn’t notice my face looking less puffy than it normally does, nor did I see much of a difference in my dark circles, but I did love the feeling of the cold jade under my eyes. Even if I didn’t look more awake, I felt more awake. 

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Julia Brucculieri/HuffPost
From left to right: Day 1, fresh out of bed, pre-jade rolling; Day 3, post-serum and jade rolling; Day 5, post-serum and jade rolling; Day 7, post-serum and jade rolling.

What I liked most about the jade roller was how good it was at working my serum into my face. Generally, after I’ve applied a serum or oil, I’ve always felt like I needed to wait for it to soak in before being able to apply anything else, but after using the jade roller, I was able to apply my moisturizer (I’m currently using Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream) right away. 

Overall, there wasn’t a huge difference between my skin on Day 1 and Day 7 (as seen in the photos above ― be nice, that’s what a beauty writer who hates mornings looks like when she rolls out of bed) but I still enjoyed using the jade roller and will probably continue using it, if only for its soothing and relaxing effects.

Stoeckert said that the roller isn’t meant to be be a cure-all.

“One tool or one product or one anything I don’t believe ever cures or fixes anything,” she said. “I’m big into a 360-degree approach ― internal and external ― so the jade tool is a wonderful tool to be part of that approach, as well as understanding how important the lymphatic system is for a glowing complexion and healthy skin.”

All in all, yes, I’d recommend jade rollers, especially if you’re a fan of the ritualistic aspect of sticking to a beauty routine. And in case I haven’t said it enough, the coolness of the jade really did feel great on the skin. For that alone, I’d say it was worth it. And considering there are plenty of affordable options out there, buying a jade roller is a pretty low-stakes investment.

As Dr. Chwalek told me, “I don’t think it will hurt you. And if it’s part of your overall wellness regimen and it makes you feel good, I’d say by all means, go for it.”  

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Before You Go

Our Editors Share The Skin Care Products They Use Religiously
Kate Auletta, 35, Senior Editor, Culture & Parenting(01 of16)
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"I've become a total The Ordinary addict. I tried it on a whim about 6 months ago and I definitely see a change in my skin. I use the routine they recommend for general dryness and signs of age. My mornings: I rinse my face in the shower with water, no soap. Then I put a small drop of Buffet on first, followed by the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. I'll add a drop or two of the Caffeine Solution to my fingers and pat them under my eyes. I let that soak in and then put on a drop of the Rose Hip oil.

A few times a week at night, I'll wash my face with this Kate Sommerville exfoliator, which is expensive but works wonders. Seriously, my skin feels so clean yet hydrated after using it. Then I'll add a drop of Buffet, followed by the Granactive Retinoid. I let that soak in and then put a drop of the rose hip oil on my face. I wake up in the morning with supple, hydrated skin, and I swear my wrinkles are less defined."
(credit:Damon Dahlen/HuffPost)
(02 of16)
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Kate described her skin type as sensitive. Her go-to products (from left to right) include: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment, $24; The Ordinary Buffet serum, $14.80; The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, $6.80; The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, $6.70; The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% In Squalene, $13.90; The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil, $9.80. (credit:Damon Dahlen/HuffPost)
Ashley Calloway, 30, former Opinion Editor(03 of16)
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"I have combination skin, and my dermatologist recently put me on this regimen to deal with my occasional pimple and hyperpigmentation. During my morning shower, I wash my face with the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser and then pat it dry with a hand towel that I only use for my face. After I'm out of the shower, I put a couple of squeezes of the NeoStrata Oily Skin Solution on a cotton pad and apply that. After that dries, I put on the Aveeno daily moisturizer, and let that dry while I'm getting dressed and then put on makeup if I'm wearing it that day.

When I get home, I take off most of my makeup with a facial wipe, if necessary, and then wash my face with the hydrating cleanser again during my evening shower. Once I'm out of the shower, I'll use a pea-sized drop of the tretinoin cream. Once that dries, I'll put on the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion. Depending on how my skin feels or how lazy I feel, I may skip any or all of these steps except the Aveeno daily moisturizer in the morning and the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser at night."
(credit:Damon Dahlen/HuffPost)
(04 of16)
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Ashley's routine (left to right) includes: Aveeno Positively Radiant Sheer Daily Moisturizer, $13.89; CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, $15.27; Tretinoin Cream, prescription; CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion, $13.49; NeoStrata Oily Skin Solution, $32. (credit:Damon Dahlen/HuffPost)
Lindsay Holmes, 28, Senior Wellness Editor(05 of16)
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"I wash my face every morning with Aveeno's Skin Brightening Daily Scrub (usually in the shower) and then pat dry with a towel once I'm done. After that, I apply Fresh's Umbrian Clay Purifying facial toner using a cotton pad. I never used to have a toner in my skin care routine, but it's made an amazing difference for my pores and I feel like it primes my face better for my other products and makeup. Once I let the toner set on my face -- I usually wait about two minutes or so -- I apply Fresh's Lotus Youth Preserve face cream with Super 7 Complex. It's not my favorite moisturizer in the world, but I love how it smells -- it seriously reminds me of summer -- and it's lightweight. I have dry skin, but heavier moisturizers leave a sticky residue on my face that I hate. I also like that this product has anti-aging properties. The major gripe I have is that it doesn't contain SPF, so I'm currently using a foundation that does. (I know, I know, I should use sunscreen. Sorry to my dermatologist!)

At the end of the day, I take everything off with Simple's Micellar Water for Dry Skin using a cotton pad. It's gentle on my face but still gets off stubborn makeup like eyeliner and mascara. Then I wash my face with the Aveeno cleanser again and apply Nairian Face night serum, which I got [as a sample] at work and it smells like grapefruit. Then I apply L'Oreal's Eye Defense cream and hit the sheets."
(credit:Damon Dahlen/HuffPost)
(06 of16)
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Anna McGrady, 27, Analytics Editor(07 of16)
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"I like to keep my morning and evening skin routines simple and streamlined -- what can I say, I love sleep! I use witch hazel as my face wash, simply squeezing onto a cotton ball and moving around my whole face in small, circular motions. I don't have much loyalty to a particular brand and have so far been pretty satisfied with the generic. I usually do this before I brush my teeth so once I'm done I can put my face lotion on right away. In the evenings, I use Garnier's Ultra-Lift Miracle Sleeping Cream, which is supposed to help reduce fine lines. It's definitely thicker and oilier than something I'd use during the day. I scoop a pearl-size amount onto the tip of my finger and tap little dots onto my T-zone, the tip of my nose, cheeks, and chin. I then brush the lotion into my skin with quick, upward motions.

I don't wear any makeup, but sometimes I like to splurge on fun skin care items like the Laneige lip sleeping mask (small pink container). Right before I go to bed, I apply a thick layer on my lips. In the morning you wipe off the mask with a tissue and all of the dead skin has been removed (slightly gross, but effective)! In the morning, I apply witch hazel using the same method as in the evening and then put on my day cream. I LOVE Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Water Gel because it goes on smooth and isn't oily at all (but still super moisturizing). I get enough to cover the tip of my finger and dot all over my face before spreading it out in quick, upward motions. After that, it's a little lip balm and I'm out the door!"
(credit:Damon Dahlen/HuffPost)
(08 of16)
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For her combination skin, Anna uses: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, $20; Vaseline lip balm, $3.49; Studio Beauty Witch Hazel, price varies; Garnier Ultra-Lift Miracle Sleeping Cream, $14.99; Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel moisturizer, $19.99. (credit:Damon Dahlen/HuffPost)
Jamie Feldman, 29, HuffPost Personal Reporter(09 of16)
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"I usually wake up with about 10 minutes to get out of the house before a workout, so the morning is usually pretty minimal for me. It's not pictured because I just ran out, but I always use a few drops of the Elemis Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment. It has completely eliminated most of the fine lines under my eyes and gives that entire area a more youthful look. Then, I usually apply the Kora Organics face oil, which makes my skin look shiny and dewy.

In the evening, I rub some Clinique Take the Day Off balm between my hands to warm it and spread it all over my face. I let it sit for a few minutes to break down the makeup on my skin before rinsing and toweling it off (if your bathroom towels aren't covered in smears of makeup, I salute you). After that, I use Caudalie Instant Foaming face wash, which is really gentle and leaves my skin feeling amazing. I follow that with Innisfree Brightening & Pore Caring Toner. Innisfree is an affordable Korean beauty brand that recently launched in the U.S., and all of their stuff is amazing. Sunday Riley is pretty pricey, but their products really do work. I put a drop of their Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment on after my toner and I feel like it makes my skin brighter and minimizes fine lines. It also smells awesome. A few times a week, I follow up with Dr. Brandt mattifying lotion because my pores and blackheads in my nose give me a lot of grief. Recently, I've also topped the whole thing off with Shiseido Essential Energy moisturizer (also not pictured, but is super creamy without feeling like it's clogging my pores. I'm obsessed)."
(credit:Damon Dahlen/HuffPost)
Samantha Tomaszewski, 22, Associate Social Media Editor(11 of16)
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"My skin care routine is still a work in progress! Currently, I've started really simple by finding a cleanser and a moisturizer I like. I use Fresh's Soy Face Cleanser and Fresh's Umbrian Clay Oil-Free Lotion. I love the cleanser for removing my makeup at the end of the day, usually whatever is left on my face after I shower. I massage it into my face while it's still damp and then rinse it off. I then dry my face completely and put a tiny pump or two of the lotion on my face. I love both of these products because a little goes a long way and I don't have to coat my face with them. They feel light and still get the job done. I also try to use the Fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Face Exfoliant at least once or twice a week, along with a few Sephora face masks. I typically do this routine at night after I shower, and only repeat again in the morning if my face feels oily or dirty." (credit:Damon Dahlen/HuffPost)
(12 of16)
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For her combination skin, Samantha uses: Fresh Umbrian Clay Oil-Free Lotion, $36; Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, $38. (credit:Damon Dahlen/HuffPost)
Doha Madani, 25, Associate Reporter(13 of16)
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"Every morning for the last three or four years, I've washed my face with my Clarisonic Mia with the First Aid Beauty Red Clay Cleanser. I'm almost religious about this Clarisonic and cleanser combination – it stopped a lot of acne issues that developed when I was in college. Then I follow up with my Caudalie Brightening Essence as a toner, before putting a serum on. Normally, I dilute The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 with a little water and put that on my face, concentrating on my cheeks where I get a little dry (in the winter especially). That sinks in after about five or 10 minutes while I get dressed, and then I put on my moisturizer -- the Origins Ginzing Energy-Boosting moisturizer -- and, depending on how poorly I slept, I'll put on my Caudalie Vine[Active] eye cream. I bought this eye cream for my mom because she has really sensitive undereyes and she loves it too. And of course, I apply my lip balm throughout the day.

At night, I take all my makeup off with my Bioderma Micellar water and just do another round of toner and serum. After that sinks in, I dab The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane on my under eyes. That retinol is a miracle worker – I noticed my massive under circles dramatically shrink in about two days of use. After about 20 minutes, I apply a heavier night moisturizer -- the Beterre deep moisture repair -- before dabbing on that eye cream again. You may not believe me after reading two paragraphs of my daily skin care routine, but I'm too lazy to wash my face at night."
(credit:Damon Dahlen/HuffPost)
Julia Brucculieri, 27, Beauty and Style Reporter(15 of16)
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"In the morning, I skip the cleanser and just splash my face with water to wake myself up. Then, I use the Aczone gel, which is a prescription topical acne treatment my dermatologist prescribed to help with my hormonal acne breakouts. I apply that mainly on my T-zone and around my jawline/neck. After letting that absorb for at least a minute, I apply the Drunk Elephant C-Firma vitamin C serum. I put one or two pumps into my palm, rub it quickly between both hands, and then pat it onto my face. Once that sinks in, I apply the Silk Therapeutics Hydra-Rich moisturizer on my whole face and a put some Youth to the People eye cream under my eyes. Once that feels like its absorbed, I apply my sunscreen. I've been using the Neutrogena Sheer Touch line for a while now and really haven't had any issues. Once that's absorbed, I'm ready for any makeup I want to wear.

At the end of the day, I wash everything off with Glossier Milky Jelly, then follow up with Differin acne treatment (another dermatologist-recommended product) and add my Hydra-Rich moisturizer on top. If I'm feeling extra dry, I might use an oil, like Prestidge Beauteé Ageless Skin Serum or LOLI Beauty's plum oil, before the moisturizer, but that isn't every day."
(credit:Damon Dahlen/HuffPost)
(16 of16)
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For her combination to sensitive skin, Julia uses (left to right): Differin Gel, price varies; Aczone, prescription; Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen, $10.99; Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, $18; Youth to the People Superfood Peptide eye cream, $35; Silk Therapeutics Hydra-Rich moisturizer, $120; Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum, $80. (credit:Damon Dahlen/HuffPost)

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