The Best Face Massage Tools for Sculpting Skin
Updated: Feb. 01, 2024
Just five minutes a day with one of these face massage tools is all it takes to get a smooth, glowing complexion.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
Not only is a day at the spa good for the soul, it does wonders for your skin. Unfortunately, frequent trips to a professional spa gets pricey, and therefore a luxury that most of us only indulge in a few times a year. Luckily, you don’t have to spend top dollar to get smooth, glowing skin. From the best face moisturizers, facial scrubs, serums, eye creams and Korean beauty products, the list of products for achieving that post-spa glow is endless. Now, it’s time to add a mix of the best face massage tools to your routine. Trust us, they’re a safe and effective way to lift, tighten and contour skin at home.
What is a face massage tool?
So what exactly is a face massage tool? Vanessa Coppola, Board Certified Nurse Practitioner, Aesthetic Specialist and Owner of Bare Aesthetic Medical Spa in New Jersey explains, “The actual art of facial rolling is rooted in Chinese medicine and has been used by healers for centuries. In the beauty industry, we commonly use facial rollers to help de-puff the face, reduce fluid retention and increase circulation to the skin for a more sculpted appearance with a glow.”
Face massage tools are typically made of jade, rose quartz stone or another type of crystal, which provides a natural cooling effect, according to Coppola. She also points out that facial rollers can incorporate vibrating qualities and energy-based modalities to further stimulate facial muscles. Still, there’s a wide range of facial rollers out there, making it hard to know which one is best. Facial rollers range anywhere from a gua sha stone to a jade facial roller, according to Coppola. Some utilize an ice roller, which incorporates the process of cryotherapy to tighten the skin and minimize pores.
Joie Tavernise, Aesthetician and Founder of JTAV Clinical Skincare in New York City adds that facial rollers can be made using stainless steel or aluminum. As she puts it, these simple tools stimulate and relax the muscles in your face and neck by gently moving around excess fluid and lymph. The end result? Incorporating a facial massage tool into your daily routine helps reduce puffiness, increase circulation and improve lymphatic flow in the face and neck.
What to look for when buying face massage tools
According to Tavernise, choosing one of the best face massage tools for your skin comes down to personal preference. “You’ll use a roller or tool more if you like the way it feels in your hands and on your face,” she says. However, she advises investing in high-quality material, as imitation crystals and dyed marble can be harmful to the skin. As for Tavernise, she prefers aluminum sculpting tools for lifting, contouring and cooling the face. And she always keeps a gua sha and cryo-tool on hand. “They work very well in sculpting the jaw line and help increase circulation,” she says. “They also increase product penetration and make my pores visibly smaller and tighter. If I feel a breakout coming on or wake up to a pimple, holding a cold tool against it instantly brings down redness and inflammation.”
How we chose the best face massage tools
With so many options on the market, choosing the best tools is intimidating. We asked the experts for their recommendations. Then, we scoured user reviews to determine which face massage tools actually deliver on their promises for sculpted, younger-looking skin. Read on to find the best tool for your face and wallet.
In this list
- Best overall face massage tool
- Best value face massage tool
- Best splurge face massage tool
- Best micro-current face massage tool
- Best ice roller face massage tool
- via merchant
- Best ice globes face massage tool
- Best jade roller
- Best rose quartz face roller
- Best wand face massage tool
- Best stainless steel face roller
- Best cryo-tool face massager
- Best face massage tool for eyes
- Best cleansing face massage tool
- Best oil-absorbing face massage tool
- FAQs
Best overall face massage tool
RéVive RéVolve Contouring Massage Roller
Take a note from the pros and add this contouring massage roller to your cart. This three-headed tool is made from a mix of metals, and it happens to be Tavernise’s personal favorite thanks to its ability to stay very cool throughout her face massage sessions. “I use the larger end on my forehead, cheeks, jawline, neck and chest, and the smaller end around my eyes and on my temples,” she says. “I notice that immediately after treating myself my skin feels tight and my muscles are less tense.” It’s one of the best face massage tools for giving yourself a safe and effective DIY facial treatment at home.
Pros
- Recommended by an expert
- High-quality materials used
- Instant results
- Easy to clean
Cons
- It’s on the pricey side
Best value face massage tool
Vivitar Jade Double-Sided Facial Roller
Don’t worry, you don’t have to cough up hundreds of dollars to get youthful skin thanks to this double-sided jade roller. It’s an ideal starting tool for introducing a facial massage into your daily routine. The large end massages the forehead, cheeks and neck while the smaller end is ideal for around the eyes.
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Provides a cooling effect
Cons
- Only available in one jade color
- Though it’s affordable, it’s not as high quality as some face massage tools
Best splurge face massage tool
Jillian Dempsey Gold Sculpting Bar
For a luxury face massage experience, it doesn’t get any posher than using a 24K gold plated face massage tool. In spite of its hefty price tag, this sleek beauty wonder boasts tons of devoted fans who are amazed by how well it reduces puffiness. One reviewer purchased this tool after seeing it on television and shares, “I use it almost every evening after applying face oil and the results are immediate. My skin looks more youthful and I can barely see my fine lines anymore. It’s helping blur tech lines and overall gives my face a lot of lift.” But that’s not all it does. According to another reviewer, it also provides much-needed relief from headaches. “I suffer a lot of headaches & neck/shoulder pain, so it’s also excellent for massaging my SCM & temples,” they explain.
Pros
- 24K gold plated T-bar
- Uses gentle ionic rotations to massage the face
- High-quality materials used
Cons
- Uses AA batteries instead of a rechargeable battery
- It’s on the pricey side
Best micro-current face massage tool
NuFACE Trinity Starter Kit
According to Tavernise, massage tools that use micro-current or radio frequency are effective at toning, sculpting and lifting the face, neck and body. These tools often feature the same materials as facial rollers, or use more advanced technology such as this NuFACE device. Dubbed the ‘five-minute face-lift’, this device sends micro-currents down facial muscles for noticeably smoother and youthful skin. If you’d like to learn more about it, read our in-depth review.
Pros
- Uses micro-currents to massage skin
- Recommended by an expert
- Interchangeable attachments
- Contains a rechargeable battery
- Kit comes with a gel primer
Cons
- This kit is on the pricey side
- Must use a gel activator to ensure the micro-current is conducted down to the facial muscle
Best ice roller face massage tool
Revive Professional Facial Ice Roller
According to Coppola, ice rollers incorporate additional benefits of cryotherapy, which help reduce the appearance of pores and tighten skin. She recommends this wallet-friendly ice roller to tighten skin and reduce puffiness. It features a detachable stainless steel head that holds the cold for up to two hours. But soothing and toning your skin isn’t all this roller is good for. The brand also recommends using it to soothe bug bites, sunburn, ease sore muscles and to reduce discomfort before or after cosmetic treatments. It’s so convenient it doubles as a lunch hour beauty treatment.
Pros
- Soothes and tightens skin quickly
- Recommended by an expert
- Affordable price point
- Portable
Cons
- The roller is on the larger side which may make it difficult to get to more delicate areas
Best gua sha face massage tool
Kora Organics Rose Quartz Heart Facial Gua Sha
Gua sha facial massage tools like this heart-shaped stone from Sephora work upon the Chinese principle of releasing heat and causes intentional broken capillaries and light bruising to the skin (keyword here is intentional). According to traditional Chinese medicine, this illustrates an area of inflammation in the body where the “heat” needs to escape, explains Coppola. She also cautions that because gua sha rollers are often used with a rather vigorous massage technique, they’re more at risk of bruising skin.
Pros
- Rose quartz
- Easy to use and clean
- Quick and effective lymphatic massage
Cons
- Use with care as rigorous massaging can bruise skin
Best ice globes face massage tool
Skin Gym Pink Liquid Cryocicles Facial Globes
If there’s anything that’s guaranteed to reduce puffiness, it’s a giant ice globe. These hot pink, artisan ice globes soothe and cool skin while promoting circulation. Just pop them in the fridge or cool water and get ready for the best cooling facial massage ever. We tried ice globes to see if the popular skincare trend was a must or a bust, and we can confirm they’re sure to leave you feeling refreshed—especially on hot summer mornings. It’s a summer beauty trick everyone should know, and trust us, you’ll want to use it in the winter, too. These globes are that good!
Pros
- Includes two globes
- Large globe size makes it easy to treat your entire face
- Refrigerator-safe
- Easy to use
Cons
- The large size may not suit everyone
Best jade roller
Roselyn Boutique Gua Sha and Jade Roller
Both Tavernise and Coppola agree opting for a genuine jade roller is ideal. Over 24,000 Amazon shoppers give this natural jade roller and Gua Sha combo five-stars and love that they make their morning and evening skin care routine more relaxing. Though this roller is budget-friendly, one verified Amazon reviewer says it’s easily worth $1,000! They write, “I never thought this roller could be so helpful and now it’s rescuing my face. I’ve been struggling with dark circles and eye bags for years. After the first week, I already notice that my eyes bags were lightly smaller.”
Pros
- Natural jade
- Includes a jade roller and gua sha
- Available in multiple colors
Cons
- Though its affordable price point is attractive, it may deteriorate quicker
Best rose quartz face roller
Ulta Rose Quartz Facial Roller
Another expert-recommended material, quartz is the star of this facial roller from Ulta. It’s made with 100% rose quartz and is double sided, making it easy to massage the entire face and around the eyes. Pro tip: Keep this roller in the refrigerator for an extra cooling effect. Once you’re finished, simply wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any excess skin care products.
Pros
- 100% rose quartz
- Eases tension
- Promote circulation
Cons
- Stones can become damaged if not handled with care
Best wand face massage tool
BeautyBar 24K Golden Pulse Facial Massager
While it’s not quite the luxurious Jillian Dempsey T-bar face massage tool, this affordable gold wand is a fantastic dupe. It has a 24K gold T-bar designed to deliver around 6,000 vibrations per minute. Laura, a verified Amazon reviewer, swears this is better than a jade roller. She writes, “I added this product to my morning routine and it definitely helps wake up. Since it massages, it gets my skin feeling awake and refreshed for the day. The massage setting can’t be altered, but it isn’t too strong to make it uncomfortable. The massager also glides nicely on the skin.”
Pros
- Dupe for the Jillian Dempsey Gold Bar
- Uses electronic vibrations to massage the face
- Lifts skin
Cons
- Uses AA batteries that have to be replaced
Best stainless steel face roller
Sacheu Facial Roller Stainless Steel
If you’re looking for a more hygienic option, consider this stainless steel roller. Unlike jade and quartz, stainless steel is non-porous, which prevents bacteria build-up that often transfers to skin during face massages. Stainless steel is naturally cold to the touch, so there’s no need to throw it in the fridge overnight. Not only are stainless steel tools more hygienic, they’re overall more beneficial. Coppola points out that stainless steel rollers have the additional benefit of holding the cold longer for cryotherapy benefits, like reducing the appearance of pores and tightening skin. Pair this roller with this top-rated, editor-tested stainless steel cleaner.
Pros
- Non-porous and more hygienic
- Less prone to damage
- Naturally cool to the touch
Cons
- Not as pretty as jade or quartz face massage tools
Best cryo-tool face massager
BeautyBio Cryo Dual Roller
Both Tavernise and Coppola agree that cryotherapy is beneficial as the cold constricts blood vessels and makes the skin appear tighter and lifted. This cryo roller is made with professional-grade stainless steel and is naturally cooler to the touch than other face massage tools. Though it also offers extra relaxation when chilled in the fridge overnight. If you opt for the freezer, the brand recommends letting it sit for five minutes before use.
Pros
- Professional-grade stainless steel
- Naturally cool to the touch
- Combines the coolness of an ice roller with the effects of a jade roller
Cons
- On the pricey side for roller tools
Best face massage tool for eyes
Foreo Iris Illuminating Eye Massager
Looking for something to target those under-eye circles? The Foreo Iris is specially designed to fit the eye contour to reduce puffiness, dark circles, crow’s feet and fine lines. Plus, it simultaneously improves the absorption of anti-aging eye creams and serums. It’s 100% waterproof and made from body-safe silicone for easy use and cleaning. It also features a built-in timer and a rechargeable battery that delivers 140 uses per charge.
Pros
- Targets eye area
- Built-in timer and rechargeable battery
- Body-safe silicone
- Easy to clean
Cons
- On the pricey side
- Some reviewers have found they get a better massage around the eye area with their fingers as opposed to a device
Best cleansing face massage tool
Foreo Luna 3
If you don’t have time for one more step in your beauty routine, then get a tool that multitasks. This facial cleansing massage brush does exactly what it promises—and then some. With 16 intensities of T-Sonic pulsations, this tool gently cleans and massages your face in just one minute, leaving you with a smooth and glowing complexion. It has a rechargeable battery and is made from body-safe silicone, so there are no brush heads to replace. In case you’re still wondering whether or not these cleansing brushes actually work, here’s what one Reader’s Digest editor had to say about the Luna 3’s little sister, the Foreo Luna Mini 2.
Pros
- Cleanses and tones skin in one minute
- Different tools available for combination, normal and sensitive skin
- Easy to use, no extra beauty steps required
Cons
- On the pricey side
- Designed to be used while washing the face only
Best oil-absorbing face massage tool
Revlon Oil-Absorbing Volcanic Stone Roller
If you’re prone to oily skin, then you’ll want to give this oil-absorbing roller a try. This roller is made of real volcanic stone, which acts like blotting paper and soaks up excess oil instantly. But unlike blotting papers that produce waste, this roller is reusable. All you have to do is twist the roller’s ring to unlock, pull out the stone and rinse it. You’ll want to wash it with a gentle cleanser, rinse and air-dry before locking it back in. Top off your skin care routine with one of these best moisturizers for oily skin.
Pros
- Absorbs oil on any occasion
- Easy to clean and reuse
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Some reviewers have found the roller isn’t ideal for those with a lot of acne as it can irritate skin
- Not ideal for traditional face rolling, rather it just absorbs oil
FAQs
How do you use a face massage tool?
According to Coppola, start by cleaning your face and applying a facial lubricant like an oil or lotion. This allows the facial roller to glide gently over the skin and prevents any unnecessary tugging or pulling. “Typically, you always want to roll in one direction, not back and forth, and you want to primarily roll upwards and out. This is essentially to follow the channels of lymphatic drainage to help reduce puffiness from the face and drain out excess fluid,” she explains.
“A common practice is to start at the center of the jawline rolling out towards your ear, and then working your way under the cheekbones, starting from the base of the nose, and rolling out towards the ear, working your way upwards around the eye area,” she says, emphasizing the fact that you’ll always want to work from the center out. “Then, proceed upwards to the brow area rolling from the nose towards the temple. In the forehead, you’ll want to roll up from the eyebrows to the hairline,” she adds.
And though these tools are referred to as face massagers, you’ll want to use them on your neck as well. Coppola explains, “In the neck area, start in the center under the chin, and you’ll want to roll from under the jawline in the center, out towards the ear and then down the neck. This follows the traditional meridians and anatomical lymphatic pathways. When in doubt, remember to always roll in one direction starting from the center out and upwards.”
How frequently should you use a face massage tool?
Both Tavernise and Coppola agree that incorporating a face massage into your daily routine is a wonderful form of self-care. Coppola hails these tools as a very relaxing, rejuvenating way to start the day. It should only take about five minutes, but if you find yourself running short on time in the morning, Tavernise says adding a face massage to your nighttime routine is just as beneficial. “If my schedule is too busy in the morning, I go for the end of the day when I have removed the day and washed my face and take that five minutes for myself. This gives my face muscles a rub down and relaxation they need,” she explains.
Do face massage tools work?
Coppola explains that while the effects of face massage tools are likely temporary, they can reduce puffiness. “While we’re asleep in a supine position (lying flat), fluid can pool in our lymphatic system and so upon rising, we often find that our face is puffier than normal. Facial rollers can help speed up the process of our lymphatic system to drain away this excess fluid as well as provide additional blood flow to the muscles to help relax any tension,” she explains.
Do vibrating face massage tools work?
Not only do vibrating face massage tools work, they help stimulate face muscles better than a non-vibrating tool, according to Coppola.
Who shouldn’t use face massage tools?
Tavernise and Coppola both agree that massage tools are generally safe for everyday use if used properly. However, Coppola cautions that there are some people who should hold off. In general, anyone with active acne or skin infections shouldn’t use a face roller. She advises speaking with a healthcare provider to discuss when it’s safe to use a facial roller if you’ve recently had a facial procedure such as a chemical peel or laser procedure.
“Furthermore, individuals that have certain bleeding disorders or blood dyscrasias would want to exercise caution and use a very light touch when using a facial roller to avoid injury to the skin. Also, individuals with an implantable device, such as a deep brain stimulator, would want to speak with their medical provider and use caution when utilizing a facial roller with an energy-based component such as a vibratory massage,” she cautions.
Sources:
- Vanessa Coppola, FNP-BC, Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and Aesthetic Specialist, Owner of Bare Aesthetic Medical Spa
- Joie Tavernise, Aesthetician and founder of JTAV Clinical Skincare
Originally Published: August 18, 2022
