The 7 Best Face Rollers To Reduce Puffiness and Relax Tense Muscles
Face rollers—once limited to options made from stones—have since expanded beyond the jade roller to include variants made from materials like stainless steel, ones that shake and vibrate, and cryotherapy tools (see: ice rollers). Whether they can truly “sculpt” your face is up for debate, but the best face rollers can go some way to assist in lymphatic movement, and subsequently reduce puffiness, albeit temporarily.
As board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Michele Green, MD, tells Well+Good, “Face rollers have long been touted as sculpting tools for the face and jawline. This claim is partially true, as they promote lymphatic drainage, leading to reduced puffiness and tighter, more contoured skin in the area. However, these effects are temporary and will disappear with discounted use of the face rollers.” Board-certified dermatologist Aanand Geria, MD, FAAD, echoes, “Facial shapes are mostly determined by genetics and muscle structure … These tools improve skin health, but their face- and jawline-sculpting results should be doubted.”
- Aanand Geria, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and owner of Geria Dermatology
- Michele Green, MD, board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Rhonda Klein, MD, MPH, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and co-owner of Modern Dermatology of Connecticut
- Stacy Chimento, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami Beach, FL
In any case, there’s no denying that using a face roller can feel great. The rolling motion of the tool can help massage tense face muscles and promote relaxation—and, for some people, this is more than enough reason to incorporate it into a skin-care routine. There are many options to select from, but to help you find the very best options, I consulted Dr. Green and Dr. Geria, as well as board-certified dermatologist Rhonda Klein, MD, MPH, FAAD for tips on choosing a face roller.
Best face rollers, at a glance
- Best jade face roller: Mount Lai, The De-Puffing Jade Facial Roller, $36
- Best stainless steel face roller: Skin Gym, Cryo Stainless Steel Facial Roller, $33
- Best face massager: Skin Gym, Face Sculptor Beauty Roller, $69
- Best vibrating face roller: Jillian Dempsey, Gold Sculpting Bar, $195
- Best ice roller: Esarora, Ice Roller, $22
- Best for travel: Kitsch, Mini Spa Rollers (2-Piece Set), $16
- Best set: Mount Lai, Rose Quartz Facial Spa Set, $54
What to consider when shopping for a face roller
Material
When shopping for a face roller, first consider the material. You’ll typically come across options made from stone or stainless steel. “The most common stone materials used are jade and rose quartz, which hold their temperatures well,” says Dr. Klein. “If you store them in a cool place, they will stay cool while you roll your face—this can help in de-puffing.” Similarly, face rollers constructed out of stainless steel are naturally cool in temperature, and while often more costly than their counterpart, they offer additional benefits. For one, they are more durable. Secondly, according to Dr. Klein, “Metal is also less likely to harbor and hold onto bacteria that gathers on it.” That’s because unlike stone, stainless steel is a nonporous material—and it’s for this reason that she usually prefers the latter. Keep in mind that while “metal rollers are strong and simple to maintain,” says Dr. Geria, “they can heat up quickly, which could irritate or hurt delicate skin.”
Type
As you shop, you’ll also want to consider the type of face roller you want to use. It’s common to see dual-ended face rollers that have a larger size for all over the face on one side and a smaller size for around the eyes on the other. However, you might also come across face rollers with two orbs, much like the Skin Gym Face Sculptor Beauty Roller, which kneads the skin to offer a deeper massage. There are also vibrating face rollers, typically powered by batteries, which can take some of the elbow grease out of massaging your face. You’ll come across ice rollers too, which often feature one large head made of either stainless steel or gel. As the name suggests, ice rollers are meant to be used cold—and as board-certified dermatologist Stacy Chimento, MD, previously told Well+Good when asked about the benefits of ice rolling the skin: “The combination of massage and cool application will … tighten your pores and calm the skin from minor irritations or puffiness.” While ice rollers can cover more surface area, any type of face roller can be placed into the fridge to reap the aforementioned benefits.
Whichever one you prefer, you’ll find a variety of noteworthy options in the list below.
Shop the best face rollers
Material: Jade
“While face rollers made out of synthetic polymers and chemical dyes may be cost-effective, it is much better to buy a face roller made out of authentic, natural stone,” says Dr. Green—and Mount Lai’s dual-ended face roller fits the bill. It’s made from real jade, which according to Dr. Green, “delivers a cooling effect to the skin without the need for refrigeration.” The larger end is ideal for the cheeks, forehead, and neck, while the smaller end is perfect for the areas around the eyes and lips.
Pros:
- Made from real jade stone
- Features two rollers for larger and smaller areas of the face
Cons:
- Jade material can harbor bacteria if not cleaned often and properly
Material: Stainless steel
As an alternative to stone-made face rollers, consider the Skin Gym Cryo Stainless Steel Facial Roller, which comes recommended by Dr. Klein. “In general, I prefer stainless steel versus stone because it is nonporous and won’t harbor bacteria like stone can,” she says. “I like this one by Skin Gym. It’s 100 percent stainless steel and dual-sided with a larger roller for the cheeks and jawline and a smaller side for around the eye area.” Plus, the metal stays cool to the touch—a welcome sensation that enhances the experience of using it on your face.
Pros:
- Made from nonporous stainless steel
- Features two rollers for larger and smaller areas of the face
Cons:
- May not be ideal for very sensitive skin
Material: Stainless steel
Another option from Skin Gym is the Face Sculptor Beauty Roller, and I prefer it to dual-ended face rollers. Made from stainless steel, it features two globes that easily glide across the skin, and without needing to apply much pressure, it alleviates tension I’ve accumulated after hours of scrunching my face and clenching my jaw in my sleep. I like that it feels like two knuckles gently kneading into my skin, and it stays chilly, which is a nice wake-up call whenever I use it in the morning.
It’s best suited for the larger areas of the face (think the cheeks, forehead, and jawline) as it’s too large to tackle any puffiness around the eyes.
Pros:
- Made from nonporous stainless steel
- Offers a deeper massage than dual-ended face rollers
Cons:
- It is best suited for larger, rather than smaller, areas of the face
Material: 24-karat-gold-plated metal
If you’re willing to shell out more money for a face roller, opt for Jillian Dempsey’s Gold Sculpting Bar. Made by celebrity makeup artist Jillian Dempsey, it has come with the stamp of approval from stars like Jennifer Aniston—and for good reason. The 24-karat-gold-plated wand vibrates while massaging the skin, all with minimal to no effort on your part. It delivers up to 6,000 vibrations per minute, packing a punch when it comes to stimulating blood flow and encouraging lymphatic drainage, and subsequently, addressing puffiness.
Pros:
- Delivers up to 6,000 vibrations per minute to massage the skin more deeply
- Requires little to no elbow grease
Cons:
- Pricey
Material: Plastic; stainless steel
If you’re looking for a dedicated ice roller, look no further than this option from Esarora. Dr. Geria recommends it for its affordability and straightforward design. It comes with two interchangeable heads—one made from silicone (which is gentle on the skin) and the other from stainless steel (which is—and stays—extra chilly). He adds, “It can be stored in your freezer for extra soothing when trying to address puffiness.” I also love that it can tamp down redness almost immediately after use, coming in especially handy when I have angry zit.
Pros:
- Includes two interchangeable heads
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Silicone head can’t retain temperature for long
Originally $18, now $16
Material: Plastic; stainless steel
This pair of mini face rollers are perfect for taking on the go—and while small, their impact is not. The set includes a silicone face roller with a textured surface to knead away tension and another with a stainless steel head to help soothe inflammation in addition to helping de-puff the skin. Also included is a velvet drawstring bag to store everything in. Their size is also ideal for tackling the skin around the eyes and lips, which are oft-overlooked but no less deserving of your attention.
Pros:
- Includes two mini-size face rollers
- Ideal for targeting the skin around the eyes and lips
Cons:
- Might be too small to feel a difference when used on larger areas of the face
Originally $70, now $54
Material: Rose quartz
This Mount Lai set comes with both a face roller and a gua sha tool—and the stamp of approval of Dr. Green. “The facial roller is dual-sided and has two different roller sizes to adjust for different facial areas, while the gua sha tool is designed to be used in more contoured areas such as the jawline,” she says, adding: “These rose quartz facial roller and gua sha are authentic and natural and are not treated with polymers or artificial dyes, making them safe to use on all skin types.”
Pros:
- Made from real rose quartz
- Comes with face roller and gua sha tool
Cons:
- Delicate and prone to breakage
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