Facial massage tools and skincare devices are becoming increasingly popular, as they provide many benefits for boosting skin health and appearance. In fact, you’ve probably seen or heard of gua sha facial massage, including its tools and technique, but you may not know too much about it.
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Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese healing technique that involves scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool to improve circulation and promote healing, and in facial massage, is used to enhance the skin's appearance, tone and texture,”
Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami explains.
All you need is a gua sha facial tool and oil.
Gua sha facial tools typically consist of jade or rose quartz crystal. The
best facial oils for gua sha massage tend to be nourishing, hydrating, lightweight, non-greasy and rich in antioxidants.
The technique promotes blood circulation,
lymphatic drainage and skin health. Clearing lymph congestion and toxins, gua sha technique
reduces puffiness and fluid retention in the face for a more sculpted appearance and anti-aging benefits.
“The scraping motion stimulates microcirculation of the soft tissue, increasing blood flow to the area, which can lead to improved skin tone and texture, making skin appear more radiant and healthy,” Chacon says.
How to Do Gua Sha Facial Massage
Start with a clean face, removing any makeup or debris, and apply a facial oil to reduce friction and prevent irritation while using the gua sha tool. You may apply
serum prior to oil, Chacon notes, but save other topicals for post-massage. Oil and serum softens and moisturizes skin for a smooth texture, making it less prone to irritation.
“Hold the tool at a 15-degree angle to the skin, and gently scrape the tool across the skin in upward and outward motions, starting from the neck and moving towards the forehead,” Chacon recommends.
Use light pressure, and increase to medium, if desired and well-tolerated. Repeat each stroke 3-5 times, and be mindful of using excess pressure, which can lead to bruising and irritation. Lastly, be consistent with strokes, always moving upwards and outwards.
Keeping a regular practice as part of a self-care and skincare routine is key. Set a goal of doing gua sha facial massage about 2-3 times per week for noticeable results.
“Regular use can help reduce appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, giving skin a more youthful look, and increase firmness by boosting collagen production,” Chacon explains.
“It can be done at any time, but nighttime is often preferred, as the gentle massaging action can relieve muscle tension and promote relaxation,” Chacon notes.
Besides, timing works well, as applying topicals post-massage further improves skin health, appearance, anti-aging and healing. Simply follow your usual nighttime routine.
“Post-massage, use hydrating and soothing products like
moisturizers or
serums to lock in moisture and enhance the treatment's benefits,” Chacon says.
Gua Sha Concerns
You don’t want to use the wrong type of facial oil, which not only prevents benefits but can also backfire by worsening skin health and appearance. The worst oils for gua sha are heavy and pore-clogging, such as coconut oil and marula oil, and can trigger breakouts.
“Highly comedogenic, coconut oil may clog pores and cause breakouts, and although generally safe, marula oil can be too heavy or oily for acne-prone skin,” Chacon says.
Gua sha is generally safe, but a dermatologist can help advise if you’re concerned or have any skin conditions, such as active acne, rosacea or any other types of sensitive skin conditions, since gua sha may potentially exacerbate these issues and symptoms.
Best Oil for Gua Sha Facial Massage
Oils are incredibly helpful for gua sha facial technique since they add lubrication and nourishment to soften and hydrate skin as well as prevent irritation. Some are better than others, though. The
best oils for gua sha facial massage include jojoba oil, argan oil, squalane oil, rosehip seed oil and sweet almond oil.
Jojoba oil
“Jojoba oil mimics skin's natural oils and is non-comedogenic, and it’s suitable for all skin types,” Chacon says.
It’s great for sensitive skin, normal, combination or oily, as it doesn’t clog pores or give skin a greasy feel.
Cliganic Organic Jojoba Oil is an excellent option for its high-quality ingredients and purity. It’s a pure, unrefined and cold pressed jojoba oil combined with moisturizing ingredients like vitamin E and B-complex for added benefits and a boost.
Argan oil
“Packed with antioxidants and vitamin E, it hydrates and softens skin,” Chacon says.
Argan oil provides nourishment for healthy skin and hair, and it also offers anti-aging benefits, including reducing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and saggy skin. Pure Moroccan argan oil, like
Pura D’or Organic Argan Oil, helps maintain skin elasticity, firmness and tone with age, giving skin a softer, more youthful look.
Acure The Essentials Moroccan Argan Oil is a good cold pressed, lightweight and versatile oil.
Rosehip seed oil
Rosehip seed oil also has
high-antioxidant power to support anti-aging and boost skin appearance. For instance, it brightens skin tone and dewiness, giving skin a fresh glow.
Cliganic Organic Rosehip Oil is perfect for gua sha facial massage because it combines fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants with rosehip seed oil for maximum benefits. It’s a good option for all skin types including sensitive and fast-acting.
“Rosehip seed oil is rich in vitamins A and C to promote skin regeneration and improve texture,” Chacon says, which are both in the product.
Squalane oil
Squalane oil is moisturizing and nutrient-dense, making it useful for gua sha massage. Use it as an oil and even
night cream afterwards.
“Squalane oil is lightweight, non-greasy and excellent for deep hydration,” Chacon says.
Life-Flo Pure Olive Squalane Oil is pure, non-greasy and very hydrating. Plus, there’s vitamin E and antioxidants for a softer and more youthful appearance and texture. Just a few drops moisturize skin and reduce dryness.
Sweet almond oil
Sweet almond oil is a beneficial gua sha facial massage oil, moisturizing skin easily due to high lipid content.
“Sweet almond oil is rich in fatty acids and vitamins to soothe and nourish skin,” Chacon explains.
A great product to use is
Pura D’or Organic Sweet Almond Oil since it’s cold pressed, non-comedogenic, unrefined and non-greasy, and it’s fast-acting with high absorption. This means you’ll see results quicker, such as reduced puffiness or darkness under the eyes and improved softness for a fresher, balanced skin tone. A 2% dilution with carrier oil is advised for using sweet almond oil as a topical and during gua sha facial massage.
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