What are the benefits of gua sha?

There are so many reasons to start doing gua sha—and your skin is only one of them! Gua sha releases muscle tension in the face and neck, so many people find relief for headaches, neck pain, and TMJ disorder with regular gua sha use. Like dry brushing, gua sha boosts circulation, promotes lymphatic drainage, and breaks up fascia.

When it comes to the skin, releasing those tense muscles can also help release fine lines. Improving circulation will give your skin a refreshed look, and with regular use, gua sha can promote collagen production. Although consistently using your gua sha tool is key, even after a single session you may notice a difference.

Is gua sha legit?

Yes, gua sha is legit! It’s essentially a form of massage for your face. You know how you leave a massage session feeling amaaaazing? The gua sha delivers those same benefits, but targeted to your facial muscles and skin.

What does gua sha do for your face?

Gua sha is known for lifting, firming, de-puffing, smoothing, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles—but only if you use it regularly. We can’t emphasize this enough!

How often should you gua sha?

You should gua sha daily. We’ve shared a graphic to show you how to use a gua sha tool—follow this guide and gua sha after you’ve washed your face and toned, as you apply your serum or a facial oil. 

Which is better, gua sha or jade roller?

Why not both?! A jade roller is excellent as part of your morning routine, when you’re rushing to get out the door, while a gua sha can be part of a more meditative self-care ritual at night. Both tools will help promote lymphatic drainage to decrease puffiness, stimulate circulation, and improve the appearance of your skin, but gua sha is generally better when it comes to releasing muscle tension.

What shape gua sha is best?

It’s really all about your personal preferences—you might want to buy a few inexpensive gua sha tools on Amazon in different shapes and see which feels best in your hand and best on your face. We’re partial to what’s known as the dolphin-shaped tool, which looks a little bit like an oddly-shaped heart. The crook of this tool perfectly fits the jawline if your goal is to tighten this area.

Is jade or rose quartz better for gua sha?

Rose quartz is harder than jade, but functionally, the two are essentially the same for gua sha, so pick whichever stone you like best. If you’re into healing crystals, jade is thought to balance yin and yang energy, while rose quartz is associated with heart energy.

Is it better to gua sha in the morning or at night?

This is also up to you. The benefits of doing gua sha at night are that you can take your time, you can release the muscle tension that has built up throughout the day, and it’s a calming bedtime ritual. If you have time in the morning, you might prefer to use your gua sha tool then because it can reduce inflammation and puffiness.

Can you use gua sha without oil?

You can use gua sha with a serum or even a moisturizer, but you need to use it with something. If you don’t pair it with a product, it will pull at your skin, which is exactly what you don’t want to be doing. We have a list of serums for gua sha, but even an inexpensive bottle of jojoba oil will do the job.

What serum should I use with gua sha?

Any serum that has an oily consistency (as opposed to sticky) and doesn’t absorb too quickly can be used with gua sha.

Does gua sha help cellulite?

Yes, by boosting circulation and reducing fluid retention, gua sha can help with cellulite. We recommend a body gua sha tool for this, though, because using one designed for the face on your legs is a lot of work!