Changing the skin has a lot to do with products (like organic retinol for example), diet, and lifestyle. BUT on top of that, skin facial tools are a great way to get that extra boost. They drive product, drain lymph, increase blood flow and more. Keep reading for my top picks, their benefits and discount codes to save!
By: Lisa Fennessy
Each of these tools will benefit the skin in a different and unique way. So in the name of Kinda Obsessed, it’s only fair that I share my faves to #glowup, depuff and rejuvenate skin.
IN THIS POST:
1. Jade rollers
First up? Jade rollers. Jade rolling feels euphoric on clean skin as a facial massager—especially around my jawline which tends to hold a lot of tension. Use the small end around your eyes and temples and the larger end for the bigger parts of your face.
But jade rolling isn’t just a feel-good practice. When you use it right, you can see immediate results. Jayde Covenant, spa manager and aesthetician at Alchemie explains, “It revs up circulation, de-puffs, improves skin elasticity and since it promotes lymphatic drainage, it’s detoxifying.”
Julie Clark, founder of Province Apothecary clarifies, “The body’s lymphatic system has a few main functions including being responsible for ridding the body of toxins through lymph fluid which carries waste away from tissues via an extensive system of vessels. A buildup of lymph fluid in the face can result in dull, tired-looking, puffy skin.”
I don’t know about you, but as I get older I am retaining more fluids under my eyes and in my face. It’s so bad. Sometimes I wakeup in the morning and wonder, Did Mike Tyson come and go ape on my face while I was sleeping last night? If you can relate, don’t worry, jade rolling (and gua sha) can both help to instantly reduce the puff.
RELATED: A Look at Retinol in Organic Skincare & My Review of Buccal Facial Massage
I like this video that talks about the benefits of jade rolling, how to roll and especially how to target lymphatic drainage. Bookmark it, it’s a good one.
Full disclosure, I’ve definitely been caught using a jade roller on my forearms, hands and neck too (or this totally killer rose quartz version for your body). For someone who sits at the computer a lot, it’s like a mini spa sesh! My friend keeps hers in the car and uses it any chance she gets. You can even try storing your jade roller in the fridge before using it for a cooler experience.
In addition to the benefits listed above, jade rolling also helps your nourishing face oils and serums penetrate the skin better, driving nutrients and skin food.
The perfect tool to refine and enhance skin elasticity. Improves circulation and can be used any time of the day to stimulate meridian points.
2. Gua sha stones
I’m in love with The Empress Stone. Gua sha is hit the beauty scene hard in 2019 and if you haven’t tried it yet, you must! Follow along with Wildling co-founder Britta Plug (@britta_beauty) or check out Wildling for some how-to tutorials (free and paid).
What is gua sha?
Gua sha is a face massage using a specific stone with an emphasis on lymphatic drainage. Britta says it offers an intensified re-patterning of habits in muscles and tissue, helping to remove metabolic waste, environmental pollution and chemicals that may have entered into the body through conventional beauty products, tap water or an overuse of plastic.
The results ARE INSTANT and it’s pretty much a holistic version of Botox, which Harpers covers in this 8-page spread. Britta launched Wildling Beauty with plant alchemist Jill Munson and acupuncturist / herbalist Gianna De La Torre with the intention of helping women access the benefits of gua sha at home.
Not all gua shas are created equal…
Now there are several gua sha stones on the market. But not all are created equal. The better ones are made of precious stones like rose quartz or jade while some of the cheaper versions can be made of colored glass. Most have several different shaped sides intended for different parts of the face. But Wildling is the only tool (besides Cecily Braden’s $130 Nephrite Jade Gua Sha Stone, which I’ve used too, and the Lanshin tool at $120) that I’ve seen with a comb edge. This edge is effective at lifting, draining, minimizing hyperpigmentation and reducing fine lines!
The Empress Stone is actually custom crafted out of Bian Stone, which contains over 40 trace minerals that contribute to optimal health. I love gua sha because you can actually SEE the results. A truly natural way to lift, brighten and care for your skin. One try and you will be convinced!
RELATED: Watch my gua sha dos and don’ts.
Custom crafted out of Bian Stone, it contains over 40 trace minerals that contribute to optimal health. A natural way to lift, brighten and care for your skin! IF you haven’t tried gua sha, start here.
3. Facial dry brushing
Daily Glow Facial Dry Brush: Maybe you have heard of dry brushing for the body but have you heard of dry brushing for your face?! Well, let me introduce you. Facial dry brushing is something you can do first thing in the morning—and the benefits are endless including reducing fine lines, dark circles, puffiness, and giving you an instant glow.
I absolutely LOVE Julie Clark’s video on how to dry brush effectively, waking up the glands and stimulating the lymphatic system. An all-around great tool for detoxifying, exfoliating and brightening. Plus did I mention how good this feels??
Province Apothecary Facial Brush
A facial brush for dry brushing. Exfoliate, detoxify and brighten your skin with this easy-to-use facial tool. It’s great to get a little glow!
RELATED: Learn more about Lymphatic Drainage Massage for Glowing Skin
4. Facial cups
Speaking of Province Apothecary, their facial cups are off the hook. Now, I know, I know, typically when you think of “cupping,” you think “big purple bruise marks”—THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN WITH FACIAL CUPPING.
Cupping has been used for thousands of years as a healing modality. This practice has shown to increase blood flow as well induce antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and neuromodulatory effects (source).
And not to get too technical but according to Province Apothecary, the benefits of increased blood circulation with facial cupping also include:
- Increasing elasticity in the face.
- Sculpting, toning and firming of sagging skin to reduce the appearance of discoloration and fine lines.
- Reducing puffiness and the appearance of dark circles.
- Rejuvenating the look of dry, dehydrated and devitalized skin.
- Relaxing facial tension.
And I can straight up agree. They literally do just that and I’m downright obsessed. This set includes two size cups: A large cup for the larger areas of the face and a smaller cup for smaller areas of the face.
After I oil cleanse/massage in the morning, I love leaving the oil on and then doing some quick cupping. I use the smaller cup under my eyes to depuff and also around my lips to plump and soften fine lines. You can use a pinch/pull method to do that.
Then I love using the bigger cup to jump-start blood flow and stimulate the lymph—check out my how-to below 👇
If anyone needs me, I’ll just be over here like, How much cupping is too much cupping?
Province Apothecary Facial Cups
Use these facial cups to depuff your undereyes in the morning, or around your lips for a plump effect. Or, go all out, all around your face to stimulate blood flow and soften fine lines. You’re gonna be obsessed.
5. Ice globes
If you are one to reach for cans of Diet Coke or Spindrift to depuff in the morning…you can keep doing that, or you can upgrade yourself with LILFOX’S CHILL WANDS.
Commonly knows as ice globes (or in this case, CHILL WANDS), these facial tools are like cryotherapy for your face.
The whole TNK team LOVES them!
Keep these in the fridge and use when needed. (AKA every morning if you are me.) LILFOX lists the benefits of extreme cold temperature on the face to include:
- inflammation reduction.
- reduce puffiness.
- firms and tightens skin’s appearance.
- stimulating cellular turnover.
- increases lymphatic function.
- aids in detox and removal of cellular waste.
- shown to be effective at treating rosacea.
And I can concur. Not only do these help reduce puffiness, they just FEEL SO GOOD. I mean, think cool cucumber on the eyes but X 1,000 good. Why does coldness on eyeballs provide so much pleasure?! IDK, but what I do know is I’ve been hooked on these Chill Wands for the better part of 2021 with no plans of stopping.
You can also use them heated too. They’re a part of my current skincare routine, read more here.
Reduce puffiness, inflammation and improve skin appearance with these facial tools. They can be used heated or chilled.
Check out my favorite body tools here.
This post was first published in March 2018 and updated in April 2021. Initially, it included a micro roller on the premise that by breaking down the skin, the skin is stimulated to build itself back up giving it a smoother, plumper and firmer appearance. HOWEVER, after learning more about micro-needling and talking to my esthetician, I’ve discovered these tools can actually do just the opposite by creating trauma, scar tissue and hyperpigmentation. I no longer use nor promote the use of derma rollers, micro-needling, micro rolling or anything in that vein.
TNK Team Note: This article may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. TNK uses affiliate links as a source for revenue to fund operations of the business and to be less dependent on branded content. TNK stands behind all product recommendations. Still have questions about these links or our process? Feel free to email us.
Photos by Monkey + Squirrel.
Lori
March 21, 2018I need this! I love your blog and have found so many new products because of you!
Lisa Fennessy
March 21, 2018Thanks Lori!!! Love that you are here!
Annette
March 21, 2018Thanks for the article. I too did not realize you could dry brush your face. I definitely want to try the jade roller. It’s always so sad to wake up to puffy face and eyes. I also like the idea of using it on your neck for stress points. Hope you have a relaxing weekend coming up!
Lisa Fennessy
March 21, 2018Totally! If you are on Instagram, I did a little demo this morning – it really works! Thanks Annette!
Matthew
March 21, 2018Wow! This is such an amazing post, I’ve been dermarolling for the past few months and have LOVED it, I want to send one to my mother to try ASAP. I’ve been traveling so much I really want to try the jade roller, they look so elegant and chic. Keep it up, I love your stuff!
Lisa Fennessy
March 21, 2018Thanks Matthew! I too first fell in love with it because of it’s looks! I totally judge books by their covers too : ) haha!
Gwen
March 21, 2018Love your posts! Very inspiring to try new things. (Along with the grey hair thing! Aghhhhhh!)
Lisa Fennessy
March 21, 2018Thanks Gwen! Too sweet!
N
March 21, 2018My dermaroller has been gathering dust. Kind of terrified about it. I dry brush my body. Really interested to try out the jade rolling. Thank you for all the details
Lisa Fennessy
March 21, 2018Absolutely! Thanks N! If you decide to derma roll again, replace yours first so you don’t get staff or something terrible from it sitting around : )
Stephanie
March 21, 2018I’ve been dying to try the jade roller! I just had my second baby 3 weeks ago and this sleep deprived mama could sure use some help in the beauty dept! 😉
Lisa Fennessy
March 21, 2018Oh yes you could! Congrats by the way!
Jessica
March 21, 2018I hadn’t even considered dry brushing, but your Instagram post on how to de-puff after a long work day was no short of a miracle process. I cannot wait to try that after a long day of traveling for work – the dry brush and jade rolling combo! Thank you!
Lisa Fennessy
March 21, 2018Yeah and that was this morning after sleeping – it totally works right!?
Angela
March 21, 2018I follow you on Instagram. Love your posts…the clean items you find for us. Thank you!!!
Angela Bowser
March 21, 2018Ooooo I’m soooo excited I found you on IG! Everything that you are doing is truly beautiful! These tools sound amazing. I have seen them before but didn’t realize they depuff?!?!? Girl, I’m in???????? Thank you for all of your helpful posts❤️
Lisa Fennessy
March 22, 2018Girl, I’m in!!! Haha! Love your comment, thanks Angela!
Marnie
March 21, 2018Hi – Thanks for the reviews and awesome information that you provide! I watch all your Instagram posts and Insta-Stories, and have tried the Inika brand as a result. Love their mascara, and am trying out their foundation now. I’ve done some dry brushing (on my body), but have not yet invested in a dry brush for my face. I’d certainly like to give it a try though. And I’ve only briefly seen someone else use the jade roller, but I believe the one they used was stored in the freezer – so that it helped reduce puffiness around the eye area. Keep up the good work!
Lisa Fennessy
March 22, 2018Thanks so much Marnie! Yes! You can totally store the roller in the fridge/freezer but its naturally cooling even without!
Daisy
March 21, 2018Thank you for this informative post! I hadn’t thought about dry brushing my face until I saw this. I just watched your Instastories and your skin was glowing after using these tools!
Lisa Fennessy
March 22, 2018Right!!?? I have to put that video in this post – the transformation is incredible!
Mary
March 21, 2018I was so excited to see you talk about the Province Apothecary facial dry brush! I have to admit I initially scoffed at the price (all that for a teeny-tiny face brush?? I thought) but am so glad I put my bias aside and purchased it. What a GREAT investment for my skin and I can’t stop telling all my friends about it. Super excited to now try a jade-roller!!
Lisa Fennessy
March 22, 2018YES!!! Right!? Its seems so simple but it makes a huge impact!!! I love that you tell all your friends – I can just picture it!
Laura
March 21, 2018Oh my God I loved this post so much! It’s amazing how simple tools can improve skin look and feel so much. Thanks for the great info, hoping to get my hands on these beauties soon!! Can’t wait to try them out ????????????
Corie
March 21, 2018Thanks, Lisa! I’ve been thinking about a jade roller, but I was concerned about the price point. Love dry brushing for the body & face. Always appreciate how to share what you feel and learn as you test products. Fingers crossed!
Lisa Fennessy
March 22, 2018Thanks so much for being here Corie!
Haley
March 21, 2018I want to try all of the above! Never thought of treating my face in these ways. Thanks for the great content on Instagram!
Lisa Fennessy
March 22, 2018Thanks Haley!
Kristina Kumar
March 21, 2018Soo just watched your snap of you using all three of these facial tools. Your voice is so relaxing and after just watching you use the tools yourself I feel more relaxed!Haha
Lisa Fennessy
March 22, 2018Haha! Thank you! That was at like 6am and I was so tired from the week, I could have rolled for hours!!! xo!
Kelly m
March 21, 2018I would love to win! I’ve been wanting to try microneedling!
Alli
March 22, 2018I’ve been super curious about these jade rollers I’ve seen popping up all over. Thanks for the great info on some interesting beauty tools!
Kaitlin
March 22, 2018I was just starting to search for some facial tools and would love to try some of these!! Thanks, as always, for the info 🙂
Cassandra Kocek
March 22, 2018Ooh, I would love to try this. My face always feels puffy when I wake up, so this would really help get the circulation going. The micro needle one honestly scares me a tiny bit but I’m still curious to try it!