Gua sha is also believed to be a great form of self-care that you can do at home if you wanted to concentrate and take your time with your routine. “A gua sha is a staple step in my evening routine. It’s perfect for unwinding and de-stressing my skin through daily use,” Melusine Tran, founder of Kosame Beauty added. “I tend to use it right after my double cleanse routine and find the size is so convenient for weekends away.”
What are gua sha stones for?
Caroline Brooks, skincare expert and founder of The Glass House Salon & Spa, shares that gua sha stones are used to perform facial massages to promote circulation, boost lymphatic drainage and relax facial muscles. “This technique can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve skin texture and tone, and enhance overall complexion,” she says.
How do I use a gua sha stone?
According to Caroline, there a several techniques that you can use with your gua sha stone, depending on your goals:
- To contour your jawline, hold the stone at a 45-degree angle against your skin and move it from the chin towards the earlobe while applying gentle pressure.
- For lymphatic drainage, use the stone at a 0-to-15-degree angle against the skin, starting from the centre of the face and moving outwards towards the ears, lymph nodes and collarbone. This helps reduce inflammation, promotes circulation, and supports overall skin health.
- To de-puff your face, start from the centre of your face and then use the gua sha stone at a 90-degree angle to gentle massage and push any excess fluids outwards towards the edges of your face.
“It’s generally safe to use gua sha stones daily, but it’s recommended to start with once or twice a week to gauge your skin’s reaction and adjust accordingly,” adds Caroline.
How do I know which gua sha to buy?
This is really dependent on the kind of results you’re looking for. “Rose quartz is a higher quality stone that stays cool during use,” explains Saffron Hughes, MUA at FalseEyelashes.co.uk “Rose quartz is better known for its wrinkle-reducing benefits. Whereas Jade is a softer stone and can encounter wear and tear with repeated use.”
“Generally, you’ll want to avoid low-quality stones that may break and harm your skin,” says Caroline. “Stones that have a rough or uneven surface that may also cause irritation.”
Which brand of gua sha stone is best?
Again, this is completely your choice depending on your preferences and your budget – but quite a few of our favourite gua sha brands include Kora Organics – their heart-shaped facial sculptor is stocked at LookFantastic – Lanshin (if you’ve got a little more money to spend) and By Beauty Bay for a solid £10 option.
Feeling inspired to upgrade your skincare routine? Check out our guides for the best face masks, anti-ageing creams, night creams, moisturisers for dry skin, gradual tanner, sun cream, eye creams, cleansing bars, hyaluronic acid serum and vitamin C serums.
For more shoppable makeup, skincare and wellness content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.