What’s the deal with crystal facial massaging tools?

Crystal facial tools. They’re *everywhere*. At this point you’re bound to have heard of these glorious, pretty little skin care tools. Sweeping the faces of Instagram influencers and A-listers alike, they’re the latest and greatest trend to filter into the skin care industry.

So what’s the deal with crystal facial tools? Do we really need them? And are they actually the secret to great skin? Well, dear friends, you’ve come to the right place. Because we’re about to give you a full-blown run down.

What are crystal massaging tools?

In short, they’re beauty tools made from (you guessed it!) crystals. Most commonly you’ll see ones made from jade, amethyst or rose quartz, in the shape of hand-held rollers or simply flat stones.

While we confess that their highly-Instagrammable appearance is enough to earn a place in our vanity, it’s worth noting that crystal massaging tools are more than really, really ridiculously good looking.

The general purpose behind rubbing these precious stones all over your face is to drain fluid from the skin and muscle tissue and to help stimulate oxygen flow to the skin. Read: Less inflammation and puffiness.

Where did crystal facial massaging come from?

It may surprise you to know that the use of crystals for facial massaging is not a new obsession – and the technique has actually been around for a very long time.

Crystals have been used for centuries in China as an anti-ageing beauty tool and are believed to have intrinsic healing properties. Gua sha tools (those flat-looking crystal stones) are used in traditional Chinese medicine, where the skin is gently scraped or pulled to promote oxygenation and regeneration. The practice of using gua sha tools is also known to help heal dryness, breakouts and the overall appearance of ageing. Nifty, huh?

The use of crystals for skin care also dates back to the Middle Ages and ancient India. So, crystal facial massaging goes WAY back.

What are the benefits of crystal massaging?

Whether you choose to use a gua sha tool or a crystal roller, regular and correct use of crystal facial massaging tools promises a whole load of skin-loving benefits, which ultimately results in better skin.

Benefits are pretty extensive and can include improved skin tone and texture, de-puffing of the skin, stimulation of collagen and smoothing of wrinkles, promotion of lymphatic drainage, toxin elimination and tightening of pores – yep, pretty much everything you’ve ever been searching for. 

Plus, the physical massaging of the face with a stone or roller can work to increase blood circulation, revitalising the complexion and making it look brighter and more awake. Increased circulation also means less redness and inflammation. Win.

How do I incorporate crystal tools into my skin care routine?

While we would love to say, ‘just go for it’, there’s actually a bit of a trick to massaging your face correctly.

If you’re using a crystal facial roller, start by applying a few drops of your favourite oil, moisturiser or serum to your complexion. Beginning in the middle of your face and rolling up to your hairline, use the roller back and forth, up and down and out to the side. Concentrate on working around your facial contours and applying more pressure with each upwards motion – this ensures you are lifting and massaging the facial muscles.

Picture the bridge of your nose as the central point, and focus on rolling away from that in all directions to encourage lymph drainage. Think of it like you are gently rolling all the toxins outwards and downwards, before rolling outward along your jaw and down your neck. Use the larger side of the roller for bigger areas including the forehead and cheeks, and the smaller end around the eyes, nose and lips. 

Similarly, if you’re opting for a gua sha tool, apply a moistursier, oil or serum to your skin after cleansing. Starting from the bottom of your face, move the stone in an upward and outwards motion towards the perimeter of your face, running the edge of the stone along your skin. At the end of each stroke, give the tool an extra wiggle to help release the tension (the edges of the face are usually full of overworked muscles!). Repeat each stroke three times, concentrating on puffy areas like the cheeks and under eyes. While all gua sha tools are different, most stones have a smaller curve that is perfect to use around the eye area, and a V-shaped curve that can hug the contour of your jaw line for a deeper massage. Depending on your pressure and which edge you use, as well as your speed and direction, you can work on surface lines and deep muscular tension.

All you have to do is give your skin a massage for two to three minutes per day and it will help lift, sculpt and de-puff your face. Not only will this treatment save you some extra time and money (hello, DIY skin treatment!), but you can totally catch up on Netflix while upping your skin care game.

What’s the difference between the crystals?

Different crystals are believed to have different healing properties. Further to this, different tools have specific uses as well.

While both crystal rollers and gua sha tools are similar in many ways, they do have a few differences. The first is obviously the shape and usage of the tool – one has a handle and the other is shaped to be held between your fingers. The facial roller can be a more convenient and quick option for stimulating blood flow and draining puffiness, while the gua sha allows you to apply more pressure and go deeper to more thoroughly release muscle tension. 

The roller is a much simpler concept for someone who has less time and needs a quick boost, whereas the gua sha tool is perfect for those looking to really indulge in the ritual of skin care and crystal healing. 

Once you have selected the right tool for you, we suggest looking at the individual properties of each crystal and opting for the one that most closely matches your needs.

Rose quartz is believed to carry love and positive energy, channelling inner healing and self-love. It works to detox, lift and soften fine lines and wrinkles, as well as getting rid of impurities and toxins. 

The jade stone is believed to be a healing and protecting stone, warding off stress and anxiety and is ideal for wrinkles, loose skin and improving skin elasticity.

Amethysts are considered powerful and protective crystals that work to calm and soothe the effects of everyday stress. They’re also supposed to be the best stones for calming inflammation and are great for acne-prone skin.

Need help deciding? Some of our fave picks are KORA Organics Rose Quartz Heart Facial Sculptor, Skin Gym Jade Facial Roller and Angela Caglia La Vie En Rose Face Roller.

Want to see some facial massaging in action? Check out Selena Gomez and celebrity MUA Hung Vanngo showing us how it’s done.

What do you think of crystal massaging? Have you tried it? Let us know in the comment section below.

Main image credit: @mirandakerr