10 of the Best Gua Sha Tools and How to Use Them

We’ve already mentioned all the best face massage rollers you need to try ASAP, but now it’s time we delved into the world of gua sha.

In the last few years, this small tool (usually in a very aesthetically pleasing green jade or rose quartz) has garnered plenty of worldwide interest, appearing in the likes of Vogue and even on your TikTok FYP.

However, as much as we love a new beauty trend, it’s important to understand the traditions behind gua sha.

What is gua sha?

Used as a healing technique in traditional Chinese therapy, gua sha has a longstanding history of alleviating alignments, symptoms and muscle pains. Gua sha is the act of scraping the skin repeatedly in one direction to improve circulation and remove toxins.

Gua sha facials can help tone your face and improve collagen production, as the light pressure of the ‘scraping’ releases muscular tension and expedites lymphatic drainage. Not only can it improve the appearance of your skin, but it’s also used to help increase blood flow and reduce inflammation.

On your social pages, you’ll see it being used pretty exclusively on the face, but in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) it’s used anywhere on the body, often the back. Gua sha in TCM aims to, in addition to the other benefits listed above and below, help stagnant energy, or qi, flow through your body to improve wellbeing. In the past, the massaging techniques of gua sha have been combined with things like stones, tin, coins or just hands.

Now, with the rise of DIY treatments during lockdowns and increased interest in natural alternatives to fillers and facelifts for getting firmer, younger looking skin, gua sha tools have become a staple in the bathroom cabinets and vanities of skincare fanatics all over the world.

Some of the skin care benefits you can achieve with a gua sha tool in the comfort of your home include:

• Smoothing fine lines and wrinkles
• Improving radiance
• Releasing facial tightness
• Face sculpting
• Reducing puffiness

How to use a gua sha tool

So, how exactly do you use a gua sha tool?

Unlike rollers (though you’ll often see them sold together), these handy little tools take a bit more patience and a bit more practice. It’s all about finding movements and routines that work for your body and your skin. Experts recommend not using this technique if you're struggling with a rash or sunburn but otherwise it's an easy option for an at-home spa-like treatment, which you can do daily to produce visible results.

To start off your routine, make sure you have clean, clear and makeup-free skin. Next, pick your favourite face serum or oil to help the tool glide across your skin. Here are a few of our faves.

Serums to use with gua sha:

Apply your chosen serum across the whole face, including the lips, brows, cheeks and even down your neck. Use a little more than you typically would to ensure your gua sha tool doesn’t tug or drag the skin.

Then depending on the shape of your tool, lay it flat against your skin and glide in a single upward direction. Start at the base of the neck and work your way up. You can use these gua sha stones across the jawline, up the neck, across the cheekbones, around the lips, around the eye area and across the forehead. Repeat each stroke five times to ensure lasting results.

Adjust the speed, pressure and placement to suit your preferences, but always make sure to go in upward motions to encourage lymphatic drainage.

Now for the best gua sha skin care tools to implement into your daily routine.

For more skin care tips and tricks, take a look at The Best Skincare Sets & Bundles and Face Oils & Serums: The Ultimate Guide.