Barre with Justine

If you are at all into skin care you are likely familiar with tools like face rollers and gua sha crystals. My first experience with a face tool was a rose quartz roller in my Fab Fit Fun subscription box back in 2020…I had no idea how to use it but I loved how pretty and on trend it was!

As I would later discover, face rollers are one tool that can be used to gently massage and sculpt the skin. In the skin care “toolbox”, you can also find ice rollers (great for puffiness), cupping tools, and many different types of gua sha instruments. Rollers are one of the easiest ways to get started with face massage because they are very easy and relaxing to use – simply follow the contours of your face and enjoy.

Gua sha tools are more intimidating BUT they are one of the best investments to make for your skin.

What does gua sha involve?

Gua sha is a traditional technique that involves scraping the skin using a smooth tool typically made from a crystal or stone such as quartz or jade. In terms of skin care, we are usually referring to the gentle gua sha techniques used on the face rather than the more intense techniques applied to the body. There is a great deal of history and cultural tradition involved in gua sha, beyond the scope of this post, and Wildling Beauty has a nice summary on their website if you would like to learn more.

Typically a gua sha practice is done after applying an oil or serum to the skin and consists of gently (GENTLY!) gliding the tool over the contours of the face, using different edges, positions, and pressure.

What are the benefits of gua sha?

At its best, gua sha is a lovely way to bring mindfulness and touch into your skincare routine. The practice of applying oil coupled with the gentle pressure of the tool is a great way to relax at the end of the day or wake your skin up in the morning. We often hold a great deal of tension in the muscles of the face and gua sha is a technique that can allow these small (but strong) muscles to soften.

Gua sha may also:

• boost microcirculation to the skin (more oxygen and nutrients to the surface of the skin)
• relieve puffiness
• break up scar tissue and reduce fine lines
• activate acupressure points in the face

Is there any science behind the practice?

There is research available on traditional body-focused gua sha techniques (e.g. for low back pain) but very little on facial gua sha (which some consider to not be gua sha at all). One study (Domingues et al.) looked at the effect of 30 minutes of acupuncture and 30 minutes of gua sha using a jade tool with favourable results (the pictures are pretty convincing) BUT there was only one person in the study and it isn’t a practice that most people could do on themselves at home.

How to pick a tool:

I have a variety of gua sha tools at home and my favourites are the Wildling Empress stone and the Mount Lai jade. I love the Wildling empress stone because of the variety of edges – the comb edge is amazing for fine lines and to gently brush over the scalp. The two points are perfect for connecting with the acupressure points on the inside of the eyes (bright eyes) and for sculpting the cheekbones.

The Mount Lai jade stone is very accessible (available through Sephora) and is a beautiful colour and heart shape. I love the smooth edge for gliding up and down the forehead and how cool the jade stays – perfect for around the eyes and soothing tense neck muscles.

Tips:

• handle the stone carefully and store in a cloth bag – another favourite rose quartz gua sha of mine smashed on the bathroom floor when I picked up a towel it was resting on! (if this happens, bury the crystal in the garden)
• wash your gua sha gently after each use with a mild soap
• you can store your stone in the fridge but never the freezer
• pick a material that speaks to you – rose quartz is supposed to be great for self-love and healing, jade for calmness and balance, bian is reputed to emit negative ions.
• learn some ideas but always tune into how it feels – be a little intuitive with how you move the tool!
• avoid pulling on your skin – always use a serum or oil to help the tool glide and hold the face gently if you are applying a little more pressure to the muscles.

Here is a little routine you can try!

Resources

Domingues, Andrea Leite Barretto, et al. “The Use of Gua Sha to Improve Facial Expression Lines and Wrinkles: A Case Study.” The Journal of Chinese Medicine, no. 123, June 2020, pp. 38+.

Hamp A, Anderson J, Laughter MR, Anderson JB, Presley CL, Rundle CW, Dellavalle RP. Gua-sha, Jade Roller, and Facial Massage: Are there benefits within dermatology? J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023 Feb;22(2):700-703.