You’ve probably heard of it, and likely even tried it–but what exactly is gua sha? In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about gua sha, answer some of the most commonly asked questions about it, and even share a video tutorial so you can try it yourself.
While gua sha actually started as a technique to be used on the body, we’ll be talking about facial gua sha.
What is Gua Sha?
Gua Sha and Chinese Healing
Gua Sha is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) healing technique that has been around for over 2,000 years. Some even date the practice back to the Paleolithic Age, as historians believed people from that era to have used stones to massage parts of their bodies to relieve pain.
Traditional gua sha involves using a tool (usually flat with rounded edges) to massage areas of the body to create “sha”, skin redness caused by broken capillaries that encourages the body to heal itself. That’s also why gua sha is also known as “scraping.”
However, facial gua sha is a more gentle version of the tool-assisted massage that shouldn’t break your capillaries–it involves slower strokes along the skin and a lighter touch.
Traditional gua sha, along with creating “sha”–or petechiae as it’s sometimes known–is also about balancing a person’s qi. Qi is a person’s life force, and it is central to much of Chinese medicine and philosophy. Alongside this, gua sha was and is used for relieving aches, pains, and other ailments–with scientific data⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾ and centuries of healing to back up these benefits.
Gua Sha in a Modern Skincare Context
Gua sha in the context of modern beauty and skincare trends looks quite different. For one, it’s not about creating “sha” or petechiae–if you get that from facial gua sha, you haven’t been gentle enough. It’s still related to the flow of qi in the body, but you likely won’t hear much about that unless you’re seeking facial gua sha knowledge from a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner.
Instead, most people speak about the benefits of gua sha as it relates to improving the look of your skin and your skin’s overall health. That’s why terms like “sculpted” and “snatched” are often paired with gua sha–people are looking for a lifted look with improved definition along the cheeks and jawline and also a way to get rid of puffiness.
We’ve seen gua sha inch away from being known as a traditional healing method and toward being known as a skincare and beauty practice, but we think it’s important to remember that the benefits of gua sha that skincare enthusiasts talk about have always been part of traditional gua sha.
What are the Benefits of Gua Sha?
Gua sha has a number of benefits that help your skin’s health. Plus, many of them make a difference you can see after just one use–with long term benefits when you have a consistent routine.
Gua Sha Stimulates Blood Flow and Improves Circulation
When you target certain areas of the face with a gua sha tool, studies⁽³⁾ have found that it stimulates circulation in those areas. This sounds great, but let's get into why blood circulation has an impact on your skin’s health.
For one, when your circulation is good, it allows oxygen and nutrients to be delivered to your skin cells. This promotes cell regeneration and helps the skin perform important functions like collagen synthesis, tissue repair, and removing metabolic waste.
When used frequently, you’ll see long term results such as increased vascular dilation response⁽⁴⁾ (which basically means your skin has improved blood flow). Plus, better circulation gives your skin a natural glow.
Gua Sha Helps with Skin Inflammation and Puffiness
Body gua sha is frequently used to reduce pain in the body. Part of the reason gua sha is so helpful with this? It can ease muscle tension and reduce inflammation, both of which contribute to pain and sensitivity in the body.
On the face, gua sha’s anti-inflammatory impact can help depuff the skin–that’s why it’s a favourite for your morning routine when your skin and under eye area might still be puffy from sleep.
Tackling skin inflammation is important. It's at the root of many common skin issues; inflammation causes the collagen and elastin in your skin to break down faster, can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and can weaken your skin barrier. That’s right, dry skin, fine lines and wrinkles, and dark spots are tied to inflammation.
Yikes! Luckily, gua sha can help (alongside using products that are gentle and non-sensitizing on your skin, of course).
Gua Sha Can Assist with Lymphatic Drainage
If you’ve found yourself curious about gua sha or any kind of facial massage, you’ve probably heard the words “lymphatic drainage” thrown around. Your lymphatic system is the part of your immune system that keeps your body’s fluid levels in balance. When fluid builds up in your lymph nodes, you might notice some bloating, swelling, brain fog, or headaches.
A lymphatic drain is a type of massage that gets rid of any fluid buildup. Since you have major lymph nodes on your neck and chest, using a gua sha tool there and following a lymphatic drainage routine can help get rid of puffiness and swelling, as well as congestion in the face.
Gua Sha Can Be Used in Combination with Acupressure
Because gua sha tools are often designed to fit into the contours of the face, you’ll often find you can incorporate some light acupressure into your gua sha routine.
Just like gua sha, acupressure originated in China and was used to correct an imbalance of qi.
One study found that using acupressure on the face helped to relax the facial muscles: after 6 days of daily facial acupressure, muscle relaxation increased by 60%⁽⁵⁾.
When our facial muscles hold tension, any lines on the face like frown lines or crow’s feet can appear more pronounced.
What Skincare Products Should I Pair with a Gua Sha Tool?
When you use a gua sha tool, it’s important that your skin is lubricated so the tool can glide along your skin without tugging or pulling, even when you apply pressure. That’s why serums, oils, and even facial mists are often used alongside a gua sha tool during your routine.
As for what skincare to use before and after, it’s easy. Stick to your normal cleanse + moisturize routine. Before, cleanse your face and your gua sha tool if you haven’t since last using it. Afterwards, your go-to moisturizer is a great way to end your routine.
Serums
The good news is that you don’t need a special serum for your gua sha routine, but some kinds are better than others.
In general, serums that absorb very quickly into your skin won’t work well. The same goes for serums that leave a sticky or tacky feeling after application–that can get in the way of the gua sha tool’s ability to glide along your skin.
If you enjoy oil-based serums, Jade Moon Serum’s consistency is perfect for a gua sha routine. It’s lightweight and doesn’t feel greasy, plus the antioxidant rich oils in the serum support your skin barrier and promote smoother, healthier skin.
Supermoon Serum is a great water-based serum option. Filled with an award winning anti-pollution complex and skincare favourites like peptides and collagen, this serum is our much beloved multitasker and made for daily use.
Pro tip: When you apply serum to your skin before your routine, pat the serum on instead of rubbing–this keeps the product on your skin longer before absorbing.
Facial Mists
This is another great option since it lubricates your face. Like serums, try to avoid a mist that absorbs too quickly or leaves a tacky residue–that can sometimes be the case with some toning mists or essences.
Anything product that is gentle and hydrating is the way to go. You don’t want to deal with your skin reacting to a product while you’re massaging it–ouch!
Face Food is a great choice. It has food in the name because it feeds the skin–magnesium to calm, copper to rejuvenate, zinc to mattify, malachite to protect, and much more.
Why Are There So Many Different Gua Sha Tools?
There are a lot of different shapes and materials facial gua sha tools are made of.
The most common tool you’ll see is what’s called the “dolphin” shape. “Comb” shapes are also popular, as a grooved edge can be used to massage the scalp. Both of these are larger and normally used on the most prominent contours of the face–forehead, cheeks, neck, and jawline.
Some more unique gua sha tool shapes include a rounded double-sided tool, a mushroom, a spoon, a fish, and more. As long as the shape includes rounded edges that can fit along the contours of the face, it can be used.
You’ve also probably seen a wide variety of materials. Jade, rose quartz, amethyst, obsidian, and stainless steel seem to be the most popular. Stainless steel, unlike its stone counterparts, is less porous–meaning it carries less bacteria and is easier to clean. However, stones offer other benefits. For example, rose quartz is naturally cooling, while obsidian is naturally warming. Plus, each stone has a spiritual meaning that may appeal to you over others.
The benefits of a smaller tool like a mushroom is that it allows you to get into the smaller grooves around the eyes area, and the tip of the mushroom allows you to perform acupressure on yourself. If the eye area is where you want to target most with a gua sha routine, this shape is a great choice.
How to Use a Gua Sha (Step-By-Step Instructions + Video Tutorial)
A gua sha routine is ideally done every day, or at least a couple times a week. You only need as little as 2-5 minutes, but longer routines, especially ones that are specifically dedicated to lymphatic drainage or acupressure, are worth exploring as well.
2 Minute Gua Sha Routine (with Acupressure)
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Dispense a generous amount of serum onto your hands and apply on clean, damp skin.
- Using the small end of the gua sha, start between the brows and firmly glide up to release tension and smooth skin. Complete this 3-4 times.
- Starting at the inner corner of the eye, glide around upwards and around in a circular motion, gently pressing on the acupressure points at the inner corner, the arch of the brow, and the base of the brow. Complete this 3-4 times.
- Glide around the brow and under the eye to release tension and depuff, 3-4 times.
- Using the larger end of the gua sha, release tension and pressure anywhere it’s needed, like along the sinuses, jaw, or temple.
Get Started with Gua Sha
Ready to get started with a gua sha routine? We have a kit that make it easy to incorporate this incredible practice into your regular skincare routine.
2 Minute Magic Kit
If a tool that helps you get into all the contours around the eyes and a gentle, protective, and nourishing oil serum appeals to you, the 2 Minute Magic Kit is your best place to start.
The mushroom shaped gua sha tool is made of rose quartz and is great for acupressure, and Jade Moon nourishes skin with superfood ingredients like goji and prickly pear.
The routine only takes 2 minutes, making it an easy but impactful addition to your day.
Holiday Gift Idea: Gua Sha Set
See the little bow on the box? That’s because it also makes a great gift–in fact, this kit was created with gifting in mind (and yes, giving a gift to yourself counts 😉). The holiday season is fast approaching, and nothing says “you deserve the best gift ever” than something that makes someone feel good, look good, and promotes good skin health.
