What’s the deal with skin tools? Do those rollers and stones even work?

I understand the questions, as I used to be in the skeptical group, too! Let me share what I’ve learned about skin rollers and gua sha stones, and why these are key additions to your skincare routine. There are lots of other great skin tools out there as well – but we are going to focus on these two for this post!

Have you bought one (or two) and just let them sit in your bathroom drawer? Here are some reasons to put them to use! 

1. They both add an instant boost of glow to your skin. Who doesn’t want that? We all know that a massage boosts circulation, so this is a great little massage for your face!

2. They both help with de-puffing. Also something pretty much everyone wants! Again, the massaging process and focusing on specific locations boosts the circulation to those areas, helping to reduce the puffiness.

3. More thoughts on that face that they both are a great facial massage, which is important for skin elasticity and graceful aging, but also it feels amazing and is a fabulous self-care, pampering moment for you! We can all use a few extra moments of taking care of ourselves right now! Combine it with some deep breathing for a spa moment.

4. Excellent tip to make the experience even better – store them in the fridge for that extra chill and boost of feeling good, and extra de-puffing capability! You know how ice is recommended to reduce swelling in an injury? Well, the same principle applies here, just with the bonus of the cold coming from your beautiful skin tools!

What is the difference in a skin roller and a gua sha stone and do you need both?

The skin roller is great and really does help with de-puffing. It is fast and easy (although you can do it for longer for extra benefits), and a great option for sensitive skin. I love the dual-ended rollers that have a smaller one for your eye area, or any other spots that are a little tighter, like next to your nose and your chin. It feels amazing. And it is a great stress-reliever. This is the best choice if you are short on time and want a quick self-care option.

The gua sha is the more effective of the two from an aging-gracefully perspective. It is considered a great alternative option to botox. When you use it, you are pressing more firmly that you are with the roller, so it does a great job of improving circulation, flushing out toxins (some say it’s great when you feel a cold coming on!), lifting the skin, and of course, eliminating puffiness. You do need to set aside more time to use it properly to get these effects. Some gua sha professionals recommend going over each section of your face at least 7 times to get the most benefit. And it can be a two-handed process, with your free hand holding the skin slightly taught in the area that you are using the gua sha. There are several great tutorials available on youtube by estheticians that demonstrate the appropriate way to use it. It’s easy, comfortable, and making a really impressive difference.

What is the difference in jade or pink quartz?

Now, what about all of the choices in stones? The two most popular that you will find for either of these tools are the pink quartz or the jade option. I actually own two rollers – one in each of the stones! And I cannot report a difference in the effectiveness between the stones. But it’s more about the aesthetics and most importantly, the energy from the stones. 

Jade is known to be the stone of eternal youth (I’ll take that!), focusing on a loving heart energy, providing nourishment, gentleness, and balance. Jade is a stone of purity and purification. This combination seems like perfection in a skin tool. 

Rose quartz is known as the stone of universal love, which is incredibly powerful when using it in a moment of self-care. It is known to promote self-love, inner healing, peace, and acceptance! We can all use more of this energy in our lives.

Facial massage and skin tools are actually ancient beauty routines from both European and Asian rituals. So I would say yes, you would benefit from adding them to your skin care routine! It’s also a great option for women who don’t use botox, or want to reduce the amount of times they get it done. These skin tools have actually been an important part of skin care and self-care for hundreds of years, and we can all benefit from that wisdom and knowledge. 

But remember, you have to take them out of the box or your bathroom drawer for them to work! Ha!

Do you use either of these? What is your favorite? Will you add one or both? Do you have others that are your favorites? Would love to hear in the comments below!

Cheers to glowing, uplifted skin, and nourishing self-care!

xx, Kristin