Kinda Obsessed: Best Facial Tools for 2024

April 27, 2021 (updated February 7, 2024) — Written by

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!

A collection of 3 facial tools held in her hands

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

Lisa is using the small side of a jade roller on her undereye.

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 jade roller I have usually sells for $45 but you can pick up the Ginger Chi Jade Roller for just $24!


2. Gua sha stones

using a gua sha and anchoring it at my hairline

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.


3. Facial dry brushing

photo of Lisa running a dry brush up along her cheek

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??

RELATED: 101 Natural Budget Beauty Products Under $20

RELATED: Learn more about Lymphatic Drainage Massage for Glowing Skin


4. Facial cups

holding a cone size silicone facial cup about the size of my pointer finger up to my face

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?


5. Ice globes

lilfox's chill wands, large metal globes, held over eyes

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.

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. 

xo, lisa in cursive

Photos by Monkey + Squirrel.

By Lisa Fennessy

Lisa is the founder of The New Knew. Passionate about clean beauty, organic eats and nontoxic lifestyle, Lisa writes to create awareness. Conscious consumerism and informed decisions will impact the marketplace, our health and THE WORLD!

174 Comments

  1. Reply

    Lisa Fennessy

    Thanks to everyone who entered! And a big shout out to Alena W.! Enjoy your new jade roller! Email me your shipping address girl! xo

  2. Reply

    Tess

    I don’t know who the lady in the second video is … but judging by the faded, rubbed off silver look of her chillwands…If that was me, I’d be very concerned if the silver reflective material that is flaking off the chillweands was entering my skin / pores!

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      That is Nicolle, our content manager (love her!). These wands are brand new so I’m not sure why they look like that. Must just be the video quality. Thanks for your concern! xo, Lisa

  3. Reply

    Mell

    Going to try the cupping and the empress stone already use jade roller (I love love love it) and the dry brushing is good

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      Yeah Mell! Try the cupping set first! I love love love it! xo, Lisa

  4. Reply

    Sky Andropoulos

    That’s ice, as stated in the description she put them in the freezer, so the silver is not coming off.

  5. Reply

    Ileana

    I recently bought the Empress stone and a cupping set. How often can use both and should I use them on the same days? Any recommendations for an oil that can be used for both?

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      Hi Ilena! Pretty sure you can use them both daily. I tend to use them as needed like when I see puffiness or want a face pick-me-up. I also wash my face after using them which not everyone does so I tend to use a cheaper oil because I know I’m about to wash it off. Hope this helps! xo, Lisa

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