7 Best Facial Rollers, According to Dermatologists

Facial rollers — once limited to options made of stones — have since expanded beyond the jade roller to include varieties made of materials like stainless steel, ones that shake and vibrate, and cryotherapy instruments (see: ice rollers). Whether they can actually ‘sculpt’ your face is up for debate, but the best facial rollers can go some way to help with lymphatic movement and subsequently reduce puffiness, albeit temporarily.

As a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Michele Green, MD, Well+Good says: “Facial rollers have long been touted as a sculpting tool for the face and jawline. This claim is partially true, as they promote lymphatic drainage, leading to less puffiness and tighter, more contoured skin in the area. However, these effects are temporary and will disappear if the facial rollers are used at a discount.” Board-certified dermatologist Aanand Geria, MD, FAADreiterates: “Face shapes are largely determined by genetics and muscle structure… These tools improve skin health, but their results for sculpting the face and jawline should be questioned.”

In any case, there’s no denying that using a facial roller can feel great. The rolling motion of the tool can help massage tense facial muscles and promote relaxation – and for some people, this is more than enough reason to incorporate it into a skincare routine. There are many options to choose from, but to help you find the very best options, I asked Dr. Green and Dr. Consulted Geria, as well as a certified dermatologist Rhonda Klein, MD, MPH, FAAD for tips on choosing a facial roller.

The best facial rollers at a glance

• Best jade facial roller: Mount Lai, the Depuffing Jade Facial Roller, $36
• Best Stainless Steel Facial Roller: Skin Gym, Cryo Stainless Steel Facial Roller, $33
• Best facial massager: Skin Gym, Facial Sculptor Beauty Roller, $69
• Best Vibrating Facial Roller: Jillian Dempsey, gold sculptural, $195
• Best ice roller: Esarora, ice cream roller, $22
• Best for Travel: Kitsch, Mini Spa Rollers (2-pack), $16
• Best set: Mount Lai, rose quartz facial spa set, $54

What to look for when shopping for a facial roller

Material

When buying a facial roller, first consider the material. You will usually come across options made of stone or stainless steel. “The most commonly used stone materials are jade and rose quartz, which retain their temperature well,” says Dr. Small. “If you keep them in a cool place, they will stay cool while you roll your face – this can help with deflation.” Likewise, front rollers made from stainless steel are naturally cool in temperature, and although they are often more expensive than their counterparts, they offer additional benefits. First, they are more durable. Secondly, according to Dr. Small, “also less likely for metal to harbor and trap the bacteria that collect on it.” That’s because stainless steel, unlike stone, is a non-porous material, and for this reason she usually prefers the latter. Keep in mind that while “metal rollers are strong and easy to maintain,” says Dr. Geria, “they can heat up quickly, which can irritate or damage sensitive skin.”

Type

As you shop, you should also consider what type of facial roller you want to use. It is common to see double-ended facial rollers, which have a larger size for the entire face on one side and a smaller size around the eyes on the other. However, you may also come across facial rollers with two spheres, much like the Skin Gym Face Sculptor Beauty Roller, which kneads the skin to provide a deeper massage. There are also vibrating facial rollers, usually battery powered, that can take some of the elbow grease out of massaging your face. You will also find ice rollers, which often have a large head, made of stainless steel or gel. As the name suggests, ice rollers are meant to be used cold and as a certified dermatologist Stacy Chimento, MD, previously told Well+Good when asked about the benefits of ice rolling on the skin: “The combination of massage and cool application will…tighten your pores and soothe the skin from minor irritations or puffiness.” Although ice rollers can cover a larger surface area, any type of facial roller can be placed in the refrigerator to reap the benefits mentioned above.

Whatever your preference, you’ll find some notable options in the list below.

Shop the best facial rollers

Best Jade Facial Roller: Mount Lai, The De-Puffing Jade Facial Roller – $36.00

Material: Jade

“While facial rollers made from synthetic polymers and chemical dyes can be cost-effective, it is much better to purchase a facial roller made from authentic natural stone,” says Dr. Green – and Mount Lai’s double-ended facial roller fits the bill. It is made of real jade, which according to Dr. Green “provides a cooling effect on the skin without the need for cooling.” 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.

• Made from real jade stone
• Features two rollers for larger and smaller areas of the face

• Jade material can harbor bacteria if not cleaned often and properly

Best Stainless Steel Facial Roller: Skin Gym, Cryo Stainless Steel Facial Roller – $33.00

Material: Stainless steel

As an alternative to stone-made facial rollers, consider the Skin Gym Cryo Stainless Steel Facial Roller, which is recommended by Dr. Small. “I generally prefer stainless steel over stone because it is nonporous and doesn’t harbor bacteria like stone can,” she says. “I like this one from Skin Gym. It is 100 percent stainless steel and double-sided with a larger roller for the cheeks and jawline and a smaller side for around the eyes.” Plus, the metal remains cool to the touch – a welcome sensation that enhances the experience of using it on your face.

• Made of non-porous stainless steel
• Features two rollers for larger and smaller areas of the face

• May not be ideal for very sensitive skin

Best Facial Massager: Skin Gym, Face Sculptor Beauty Roller – $69.00

Material: Stainless steel

Another option from Skin Gym is the Face Sculptor Beauty Roller, and I prefer it to double-ended facial rollers. It’s made of stainless steel and has two spheres that glide easily over the skin, and without applying much pressure, it relieves the tension I’ve built up after hours of pinching my face and clenching my jaw in my sleep. I like that it feels like two knuckles are gently kneading my skin, and it stays cold, which is a nice wake-up call when I use it in the morning.

It is best suited for the larger areas of the face (think the cheeks, forehead and jawline) as it is too large to tackle any puffiness around the eyes.

• Made of non-porous stainless steel
• Provides a deeper massage than double-ended facial rollers

• It is best suited for larger, rather than smaller, areas of the face

Best Vibrating Facial Roller: Jillian Dempsey, Gold Sculpting Bar – $195.00

Material: 24 carat gold plated metal

If you’re willing to spend more money for a facial roller, opt for Jillian Dempsey’s Gold Sculpting Bar. Created by celebrity makeup artist Jillian Dempsey and with the approval of stars like Jennifer Aniston – and for good reason. The 24k gold-plated wand vibrates as it massages the skin, all with minimal to no effort on your part. It delivers up to 6,000 vibrations per minute, which is a hit when it comes to boosting blood flow and encouraging lymphatic drainage, then tackling puffiness.

• Delivers up to 6,000 vibrations per minute to massage the skin more deeply
• Requires little to no elbow grease

Best Ice Roller: Esarora, Ice Roller – $22.00

Material: Plastic; stainless steel

If you’re looking for a specialty ice roller, look no further than this option from Esarora. Dr. Geria recommends it for its affordability and simple design. It comes with two interchangeable heads: one made of silicone (which is gentle on the skin) and the other made of stainless steel (which is and stays extra cold). He adds, “It can be kept in the freezer for extra relief when tackling puffiness.” I also love that it can reduce redness almost immediately after use, which is especially helpful when I have an angry pimple.

• Includes two interchangeable heads
• Cheap

• The silicone head cannot maintain the temperature for a long time

Best for Travel: Kitsch, Mini Spa Rollers (Set of 2) – $16.00

Originally $18, now $16

Material: Plastic; stainless steel

This pair of mini facial rollers are perfect for taking on the go – and although they are small, their impact is not. The set includes a silicone facial roller with a textured surface to knead away tension and another with a stainless steel head to soothe inflammation and help depuff the skin. There is also a velvet bag where you can store everything. Their size is also ideal for targeting the skin around the eyes and lips, which are often overlooked but no less worthy of your attention.

• Includes two mini size facial rollers
• Ideal for targeting the skin around the eyes and lips

• It may be too small to feel a difference when used on larger areas of the face

Best Set: Mount Lai, Rose Quartz Facial Spa Set – $54.00

Originally $70, now $54

Material: Rose quartz

This Mount Lai kit comes with both a facial roller and a gua sha tool – and Dr. Green. “The facial roller is double-sided and has two different roller sizes to adapt to different facial areas, while the gua sha tool is designed to be used in more contoured areas such as the jawline,” she says, adding: “This rose quartz facial roller and gua sha are authentic and natural and not treated with polymers or artificial dyes, making them safe to use on all skin types.”

• Made from real rose quartz
• Comes with facial roller and gua sha tool

• Delicate and prone to breakage