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If you’ve never had a facial, I can assure you that you are missing out. But good news: there’s no need for FOMO; at-home massagers are the next best thing for reducing inflammation and tension in your face. “Face massagers can assist with the flow of blood, similar to a good facial massage,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Uchenna Okereke. “As a result, they can temporarily decrease puffiness of the face, especially around the eyes.”
So if you don’t have the time or funds to pay a visit to a medi spa, don’t fret. With the facial massagers below, you can be your own esthetician and reap all the benefits at home.
Best Overall
Skin Gym Face Sculptor
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Courtesy of Nordstrom
- Mimics the effect of a professional massage
- Leaves a radiant glow
- Deep kneading
- Rollers could be more durably fixed
Who else recommends it? Prevention, Marie Claire, and Forbes all picked the Skin Gym Face Sculptor.123
There’s a reason why this dual-sided beauty roller is a favorite for so many. The globes provide a deep-kneading action that mimics a professional massage to release tension while also firming and toning the skin. Users say that it does wonders for jaw pain and leaves your skin with a radiant glow.
Price at time of publish: $69
Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Built-in roller balls
Best Value
Yeamon 2-in-1 Face Massager
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Amazon
- Fully waterproof
- 3D V-type design fits whole body curve
- Multifunctional
- Batteries not included
You can get more for your buck with this set of two beauty tools. One is a 3D roller and the other is a T-shaped bar. The roller is great for massaging and lymphatic drainage while the T bar sends 6000 vibrations per minute for a mini workout for your face. Use it to minimize fine lines and wrinkles for a firmer look.
Price at time of publish: $25.99
Manual or Electric: Electric | Features: 360-degree waterproof, 3D rollers
Best Cleansing Device
Buttah Skin Vibe Facial Cleansing Brush
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Macy’s
- For all skin types
- Designed for use in shower
- Easily fits in palm of the hand
- Soft bristles may not be super exfoliating
This antimicrobial silicone cleansing brush pulsates to delicately massage the skin and gently exfoliate. Use it as you cleanse to eliminate dullness and dead skin cells, and just for an overall relaxing self-care moment.
Price at time of publish: $49
Manual or Electric: Electric | Features: Sonic pulsation
Best Sculpting
Jillian Dempsey Gold Sculpting Bar
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Jillian Dempsey
- Relaxing
- Luxurious appeal
- Great for lymphatic drainage
- Pricey
Feeling fancy? This one’s for you. Not only does it feel like the ultimate self-care moment, but this 24-karat gold vibrating bar instantly makes your skin feel and look toned and revived.
Price at time of publish: $195
Manual or Electric: Electric | Features: Built-in vibration
Best for Eyes
Nurse Jamie Eyeonix Eye Massaging Beauty Tool
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- Compact design
- Gently revitalizes sensitive eye area
- High-frequency vibration
- May randomly turn on
This compact yet powerful beauty tool utilizes high-frequency vibrations to stimulate the brows and the delicate under-eye area. Use it along with your favorite eye cream to help tighten the skin.
Price at time of publish: $49
Manual or Electric: Electric | Features: High-frequency vibration
Best Splurge
Shani Darden Facial Sculpting Wand
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- Boosts circulation
- Optimizes skin’s oxygen intake
- Firms and tightens
- Pricey
For those that are serious about their skincare, this sculpting wand is the creme de la creme. It harnesses high-performing sound wave technology that boosts circulation, optimizes skin’s oxygen intake, and stimulates the facial muscles for firmer and tighter skin. Still unsure? The before and after pictures are all the proof you need.
Price at time of publish: $399
Manual or Electric: Electric | Features: Sound wave technology, three intensity levels
Best Roller
Herbivore Jade De-Puffing Face Roller
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Courtesy of Sephora
- Supports the lymphatic system
- Firms the skin’s appearance
- Affordable
- Could be more durably constructed
Bye-bye puffiness. This jade roller relaxes and de-stresses while supporting lymphatic drainage to reduce the appearance of inflammation. Metaphysically, jade is known to bring peace and harmony, but even if metaphysical benefits aren’t your cup of tea, this roller is a great way to give your skin some TLC during your daily routine.
Price at time of publish: $32
Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Built-in rollers
Best Gua Sha Tool
Mount Lai Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool
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Photo courtesy of Mount Lai
- Creates a brighter appearance
- Brings back elasticity to face
- Contouring
- On the small and thin side
Enhance your beauty ritual with this lifting and smoothing tool. The practice of gua sha has multiple benefits like relieving facial tension, promoting a brighter complexion, and lifting and contouring the face. Choose from jade, rose quartz, or amethyst for your preferred energy.
Price at time of publish: $28
Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Natural crystal or stone
Runner-Up, Best Gua Sha Tool
Anne’s Apothecary Jade Gua Sha Facial Tool
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- Aids in brighter eyes
- Releases bad energy
- Fits right in palm of the hand
- Not electric
Skincare, meet self-care. This handy tool comes at a modest price compared to many of its gua sha counterparts, with no sacrifice to quality. The jade facial tool works to soothe, depuff, and elevate your routine. Store it in the fridge for an extra cooling sensation.
Price at time of publish: $20
Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Natural stone
Best Ayurvedic
Ranavat Kansa Wand Facial Massaging Tool
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- Balances skin’s pH
- Softens appearance of fine lines
- Massages energy points on the face
- Manual design possibly doesn’t warrant the price
This ayurvedic massaging tool uses the power of Kansa (copper and tin) to balance your skin’s pH. Use it along with your favorite serum to not only deliver a relaxing massage, but to also relieve sinus headaches, stimulate memory, and even improve concentration.
Price at time of publish: $70
Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Natural copper and tin designed for face’s energy points
Best Set
Wildling Empress Collection
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- 3-in-1: lifts, purifies, and clears
- Includes items to complete skincare routine
- Great for facial massage newbies
- Mist and oil not for sensitive skin
If you’re a gua sha newbie, this all-encompassing kit is a great place to start. The unique Empress Stone has three different sides, each providing different benefits including lifting, purifying, and clearing dark circles. It also comes with a facial mist and oil to complete your routine.
Price at time of publish: $129
Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Three-sided for lifting, purifying, and clearing dark circles, facial mist, oil
Best for Stress Relief
Carbonique Face Roller
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- Reinvigorates
- Extra relief for hard-to-reach areas
- Lightweight
- Ridged roller ends may discomfort some
Byrdie’s Editorial and Strategy Director Kathryn Vandervalk notes this popular face roller as one of her favorites. It’s known to mimic an esthetician’s hands with its two ridged ceramic globes that provide extra relief for those hard-to-reach areas. The lightweight tool is also quite the looker with its beautiful wooden design.
Price at time of publish: $139
Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Two ridged ceramic globes
Best for Facial Tension
Dehiya Warrior Stone
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- Sculpting and rejuvenating
- Various stone and crystal material options
- Delivers harmonious energy
- Rainbow fluorite possibly too soft to some
This gua sha tool is curved on one side to apply products, contoured to lift and depuff on another, and ridged to massage on the final two. It also has a slightly more pointed end to massage those tough tension spots at the jaw and temples. Get it in quartz, grey agate, rose quartz, black obsidian, or rainbow fluorite.
Price at time of publish: $68
Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Natural stones and crystals
Best Wand
EcoTools Wand Facial Roller
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- De-puffing
- Textured end helps penetrate deeper
- Comes in biodegradable packaging
- May not produce super drastic results
This easy-to-use wand has a textured end to help the product penetrate deeper into the skin and another smooth end for a de-puffing experience. Users say that this simple tool has become a staple in their routine.
Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Dual-ended
Final Verdict
There are plenty of face massagers on the market, but the Skin Gym Face Sculptor made the top of our list for its practical, straightforward design that lifts and sculps. If you’re looking to incorporate more Ayurvedic practices into your routine, reach for the Ranavat Kansa Wand Facial Massaging Tool. And for a gua sha tool that doesn’t break the bank, try Anne’s Apothecary Jade Gua Sha Facial Tool.
What to Look For in a Face Massager
Benefits
Many face massagers claim very specific benefits such as sculpting and lifting, while others boast reduced inflammation. If you’re new to face massagers, it’s totally worth watching those how-to videos to understand the proper techniques to get the benefits you desire. While some tools claim to tighten the skin, don’t be misled—dermatologist Dr. Adeline Kikam says that face massagers do not boost collagen production.
Materials
Whether you think crystals are just pretty to look at or yield metaphysical powers, remember that most of the tools only provide temporary results. Dr. Kikam says, “The cool touch of the stone can help soothe the feeling of inflammation in the skin; however it is unlikely that it will reduce inflammation in a meaningful way [long term].”