Chances are, you’ve probably seen a face roller on your Instagram feed or maybe even at a friend’s house.

The little gadget is most commonly made from jade or rose quartz. Some have two rollerballs, and some look a bit like a tiny rolling pin (with rollers of varying sizes fixed to both ends of the handle).

They’re all said to offer major skin benefits.

So why exactly are people massaging their faces with a face roller? And is this trend here to stay?

What does the roller do for your face?

The simple act of massaging your face with a face roller has a ton of benefits for the skin. It may even reduce stress and release tension, just like a body massage would.

Here are some key benefits:

• Improves blood circulation in the face. Using a face roller can stimulate blood flow to the face, which can make your skin look brighter and feel firmer.

• Helps with stuffy sinuses. Some studies suggest that using this tool may help clear the sinusesTrusted Source, though the research is still in the early stages.

• Decreases puffiness. Rolling may also decrease puffiness (like hard-to-handle under-eye bags) by stimulating lymphatic drainage.

• Cools and soothes your skin. If you store your roller in the refrigerator or use a naturally cold stone like jade, it’ll cool the skin on contact. This can quickly de-puff your skin and tighten pores.

• Distributes skincare products. Rollers are typically used with an oil or moisturizer to help the tool glide across your skin. It’s said this process can deliver the product deeper into your skin.

Myths and facts about facial roller massage

There are many big claims about facial rollers.

Here we will talk about what’s true about facial massage, and what’s a myth about facial rollers.

• Facial massage can improve your mood: True. It may seem weird, but facial massage reduces anxiety for some.

• Using a roller can slim the face: False. The only way to truly slim down or lose weight from any part of your body, the face included, is through nutrition and exercise. However, the de-puffing potential of the facial roller may make your face look slimmer temporarily.

• Using a roller can contour the face: True. The roller can be used to drain fluid from the face, which can help to contour your face temporarily. The best way to use the tool for draining and contouring is to roll up at an angle and then push the roller downward by the ear. The process helps direct excess fluid to the lymph nodes.

• Toxins can be flushed from the body by using a roller: True. Any activity that stimulates lymphatic drainageTrusted Source, including massage or facial rolling, can be detoxifying for the body.