A natural way to brighten and tighten your skin? Surely it’s too good to be true? But no: enter the gua sha, a skin scraping tool that comes with a myriad of face-friendly benefits. 

Okay, so “scraping” admittedly sounds kind of unpleasant. A gua sha doesn’t scratch or hurt your face – it’s more of a massage tool. This Traditional Chinese Medicine practice involves rubbing the gua sha over your face or body in long, downward strokes to improve circulation and get your chi flowing. 

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Beauty Benefits 

Gua sha has been used for thousands of years, having first originated in Ancient China. Today, it’s growing in popularity all over the world, with thousands of YouTube stars and TikTok celebrities swearing by its efficacy. So what exactly does massaging your skin with a gua scraper do?

• Anti-ageing. Scraping your skin with a gua sha tool can help to trigger collagen production which, over time, leads to firmer and tighter skin with fewer fine lines. 
• Decreases inflammation. If you suffer from a puffy face first thing in the morning, five minutes with a gua sha tool can really help to improve your appearance by stimulating circulation and encouraging lymphatic drainage.
• A contoured look. Repeated use of the gua sha tool gives your facial muscles a workout, resulting in a more sculpted appearance. 
• Brighter complexion. By stimulating blood flow and increasing collagen production, the gua sha tool can reduce redness and dark circles. This gives you a brighter and more balanced visage. 

How to Use the Gua Sha At Home 

The gua sha is a holistic treatment and it may take some time to work out your ideal technique. I recommend that you start by using your gua sha just once per week and slowly build up to two to three times per week. Some advocate for daily use, but this is not my personal preference.

First thing in the morning is the ideal time to use the gua sha thanks to its brightening, de-puffing benefits. This tool offers both instant and long-term results, so it’s well-suited to a morning skincare routine.

After cleansing, take your favorite facial oil and apply a quarter-size amount to your face. I like the following oils:

Then, take your gua sha, hold it at a 45-degree angle and rub it over your face in gentle, even strokes. You should always scrape outwards, in one direction only – never back and forth. The gua sha is great for de-puffing bags, but do be extra careful around the delicate skin under your eyes. The whole process should take between 5-15 minutes. Beginners should start at the lower end of the scale and work up to longer massages over time. 

The Best Gua Sha Tools 

The quality of your gua sha is important, and you should consider the best material for your skin type. For example, rose quartz is ideal for sensitive skin because it has a very soothing effect. 

Meanwhile, jade and amethyst tools can be very cooling for the skin which pleasantly counteracts the flushed warmth you may feel after a gua sha massage.

For more on skincare, check out:

• My guide to microcurrent facials
• What you need to know about dermarolling
• This article on CBD skincare