If you are not familiar yet with Facial Gua Sha, it’s time to discover the benefits of this at-home ancient technique which is having a serious moment in the beauty world along with crystal rollers. As a famous practice for glowing skin which is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and trusted by many celebrities like Beyoncé, Miranda Kerr, and Gwyneth Paltrow you should know at least the basics before you try a Facial Gua Sha ritual.

WHAT IS FACIAL GUA SHA?

Facial Gua Sha is a gentle version of the traditional Gua Sha technique which uses pressure with a soft-edged tool made by jade, crystal, or bone to scrape the skin with short strokes to stimulate microcirculation and reduce inflammation. 

HOW DOES FACIAL GUA SHA WORK?

First off, Facial Gua Sha is a natural healing remedy absolutely safe to use it at home to enhance your skincare and wellbeing routine. By massaging your face with a Gua Sha tool made by natural crystal-like jade or quartz, also called “scraping stones”, you stimulate lymphatic system, boost circulation and collagen production, release muscle tension, and optimize skincare penetration. As Katie Brindle founder of wellness brand, the Hayo’u Method explains “You’re looking for a red flush – it’s drawing the microcirculation, which sits just under the epidermis of the skin, up by 400 percent. In beauty terms, that’s important because you are drawing nutritious oxygenated blood to the surface of your skin from the inside out.”

Add it to your skincare routine, especially at night when you really need to wind down, and soon after you will notice some serious effects of de-puffing, lifting, and glowing to your skin not to mention other benefits like balanced skin tone, plumped skin, less breakouts and faded acne scars and age spots.

HOW TO USE GUA SHA?

Unlike the crystal rollers, Gua Sha tools are different in use.  Once you figure out the basics which are pretty easy to learn,  you are ready to go on your own. 

The beauty ritual is simple. Before you start, cleanse your skin and prime it with a serum, essence, or oil. A moisturizer can also do.

Start from the base of your neck using the flat side of your Gua Sha tool. Proceed with upward movements to the chin and work your way up to the cheekbones and forehead. Use the different sides of your beauty tool to press and hold beneath the eyes or in any areas of inflammation. Similarly, use the curved areas to press and stroke along your facial contours. Make small sweeps in order to bring nutrients and oxygen to the skin’s surface.

For more details, watch the video below and learn from an experthow to use a Gua Sha tool for your facial massage.

WHICH GUA SHA TOOL IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Finding the right Gua Sha tool is easy since there are many different shapes in the market to choose among (we love the Kora Organics heart-shaped Gua Sha). As for the material, just choose what feels right for you. Crystals, like jade or quartz, are known for their healing power and secret energy.