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Few beauty tools offer as excellent lifting benefits as the best gua sha tools. “The literal gua sha Mandarin translation is ‘to scrape sand,’” explains Lin Chen, cofounder of Pink Moon. “Gua sha tools have been used as a unique approach for holistic healing in China for 4,000 years. It has been traditionally used over the body to help aid in the movement of qi (which is energy flow), increase circulation, and release tension.” That said, Chen continues saying that research shows that the practice was first used in the Paleolithic Ages, dating back to the Ming dynasty in China.
Vogue’s Favorite Gua Sha Tools
- For Daily Practice: Mount Lai Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool, $34
- For Face and Body: Yina Bian Stone Gua Sha, $85
- For Acne-Prone Skin: Sacheu Gua Sha, $32
- The Celeb-Approved: Wildling Empress Stone, $69
- For the Scalp: Act+Acre Scalp Gua Sha, $48
In This Story:
- What are the benefits of incorporating a gua sha tool?
- How To Choose a Gua Sha Tool
- How to Use a Gua Sha Tool
- Mistakes To Avoid When Using a Gua Sha
- Meet The Experts
“Gua sha is an effective technique for enhancing the face’s natural contours and reducing puffiness through lymphatic drainage,” explains Charlotte Yao, traditional Chinese medicine expert and founder of Mulihood. The upward-scraping technique is meant to stimulate blood circulation, encourage collagen production, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, adds Yao. “While it doesn’t permanently change facial structure, it can create a more sculpted look over time by reducing fluid retention and enhancing skin elasticity.”
Ahead, the best gua sha tools to add to your routine from Pink Moon, Lanshin, Yina, and more.
For Beginners: Pink Moon Rose Quartz Gua Sha Facial Tool
- Why We love It: Think of Pink Moon’s tool as the ultimate stone for beginners, as its heart shape means it’s versatile and easy to travel with. “I specifically chose rose quartz for the gua sha tool because it has a cooling effect that helps to immediately soothe inflammations and reduce puffiness,” says Chen. “It stays cool so you don’t need to keep in the fridge.”
- Material: Stone (pink rose quartz)
For Acupressure: Tata Harper Crystal Gua Sha Spoon
- Why We Love It: Tata Harper’s gua sha spoon is designed with tension relief and facial sculpting in mind. It’s dual-ended: The larger side can treat the cheeks, neck, and jawline, whereas the smaller side targets delicate areas around the face (the undereye for example) and accupressure points. Applying slight pressure to these areas can relieve jaw tension, headaches, and sinus pain.
- Material: Stone (jade)
For the Scalp: Act+Acre Scalp Gua Sha
- Why We Love It: Act+Acre’s jade stone comb is designed to promote circulation on the scalp by following the natural curves of your head. The tool is best paired with a scalp serum as the as the comb helps distribute the product more evenly, all while relieving tension—making it the perfect addition to any hair strengthening or growth treatment.
- Material: Stone (jade)
For Multipurpose Benefits: Lanshin Pro Gua Sha Jade Face Massager
- Why We Love It: Acupuncturist Sandra Chiu designed this Lanshin tool to construct a well-rounded gua sha routine. Handmade from nephrite, otherwise known as He Tian jade, this features various shapes to target different areas you’d like to treat along the face, neck, and body—specifically a sculpting V, curved waist, sculpting lip, and smoothing comb for a skin-boosting massage.
- Material: Stone (nephrite)
For the Face and Body: Yina Bian Stone Gua Sha
- Why We Love It: Yian’s versatile gua sha tool boasts the healing properties of bian stone, according to mineralogy studies. One can glide the stone across the face, neck, and body to improve circulation, de-puff, and tone the skin. Those with a penchant for energetics will appreciate the promises of enhanced mental focus and increased positivity when incorporating the stone in their beauty ritual.
- Material: Bian stone
For Daily Practice: Mount Lai Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool
- Why We Love It: If you’d like a tool that makes performing a daily gua sha massage simple, look no further than Mount Lai’s option. Its shape makes it easy to tone and sculpt your appearance, targeting large areas of the face while delivering lymphatic drainage and facial tension relief. With five stones to choose from, just select the composition that resonates with your intentions—from jade for balance to amethyst for tranquility.
- Material: Stone (amethyst, jade, rose quartz) or stainless steel
For Acne-Prone Skin: Sacheu Gua Sha
- Why We Love It: According to Yau, those with acne-prone skin should reach for a stainless steel gua sha—unlike natural stone, stainless steel is non-porous and anti-bacterial, preventing unwanted breakouts and aggravating easily congested skin. Sacheu’s gua sha hits the mark, with the added bonus of being self-cooling, made from fully recycled steel, and unbreakable.
- Material: Stainless steel
The Celeb-Approved: Wildling Empress Stone
- Why We Love It: When Shay Mitchell detailed her 58-step beauty regimen, we saw her glide Wildling’s Empress Stone across her supple skin—performing three strokes along her cheek and jawline. “So I am a believer in anything you can do to de-puff your skin,” she says, noting the importance of lymphatic drainage in her event preparation especially. So those eager to try a similar facial toning massage should give this Bian stone a try.
- Material: Bian stone
For Facial Tension: Osea Gua Sha Sculptor
- Why We Love It: Osea’s spa treatments make use of this gua sha so you can mimic the experience at home anytime with this palm-sized facial sculptor. The notched side of the gua sha is made to sculpt out your chin and jawline while the curved edges allow for gentle lymphatic drainage along your neck. The longest sides can be used to relieve muscle tension in your cheeks and forehead. Clear out stagnant energy along the jaw, cheekbones, temples by applying pressure to these points.
- Material: Stone (jade)
Everything You Need To Know
What are the benefits of incorporating a gua sha tool?
“While its popularity in the US and Europe is largely tied to its ability to ‘sculpt’ the face, its healing capabilities extend far deeper!” Chen instructs, explaining that the gua sha is used for lymphatic drainage, addressing stagnant energy, promoting blood flow, soothing headaches, reducing inflammation, shortening acute illnesses like colds and flus, as well as releasing tension from head to toe. Daily gua sha practice has the ability to enhance not only your appearance (think reduced puffiness, contoured facial muscles, and improved skin elasticity), but your mental and emotional well-being. Just think of how calming it is to glide a roller or stone across your skin. What’s more, Chen says you can expect results instantly, though you should continue to use daily.
How To Choose a Gua Sha
“Both steel and stone gua sha tools have their benefits, and the choice depends on personal preference and skin needs,” explains Chinese Medicine expert and founder of Mulihood, Charlotte Yau.
- Stone: Think materials like jade, rose quartz, amethyst, or bian stone. “Stone gua sha tools are traditional and widely used. They retain a cool temperature and provide a soothing effect on the skin. Each type of stone is believed to have different energetic properties. For example, jade is known for balancing, while rose quartz is associated with love and healing,” Yau says.
- Stainless Steel: Steel is more durable and hygienic—so those on the clumsier side don’t have to fear dropping and breaking their gua sha. “Steel gua sha tools are excellent for those with acne-prone or sensitive skin since they are non-porous and easier to clean,” says Yau. “They also tend to stay cooler for longer, enhancing the depuffing effect.”
How to Use a Gua Sha Tool
So you’re ready to try the restorative practice at home. Aside from the tool you choose, a proper technique is key to reap the anticipated benefits. Always start with clean skin, then prep with an emollient face oil or balm. “You also want to apply an oil that’s silky and doesn’t absorb right away or you might tug your skin,” Chen advises. With skin ready, keep the stone as flat and close to the skin as possible, gliding at a 15 degree angle to avoid any unnecessary friction. According to Chen, you’ll want to avoid passing over active breakouts, even if you just target the chest and neck to increase circulation and decrease inflammation. Perform slow strokes, in upward and outward motions, for about three to five passes, and you’re all set.
Yau recommends starting from the neck and moving upward to the jawline, cheeks, and forehead to promote proper lymphatic drainage. “For best results, use your gua sha three to five times per week. Daily use can enhance benefits, but overuse may cause sensitivity,” she says. After each use, Yau says it’s important to cleanse tools with warm water and soap to prevent bacteria build-up and unnecessary breakouts.
Mistakes To Avoid When Using a Gua Sha
We’ve all experienced growing pains when adding a new tool to our beauty arsenal. Yau breaks down the most common mistakes she sees when people first attempt to incorporate a gua sha into their regular routine—and shares her top tips on how to avoid them.
- Applying too much pressure: Yau explains that lightweight pressure is key to proper application and usage. “Gua sha should be a gentle, relaxing process, and never painful. If you experience bruising, you’re pressing too hard,”she says.
- Not using enough oil or serum: Yau emphasizes the importance of always using an oil or serum to create slip when using your gua sha—using it on bare, dry skin is a big no-no. “Tugging at the skin can cause irritation, so always apply a non-comedogenic oil or serum to allow the tool to glide smoothly,” Yau says, recommending lightweight oils like jojoba, squalane, or rosehip oil for optimal results.
- Dragging the tool downward: “Always move in an upward and outward direction to lift the skin and promote drainage,” explains Yau, emphasizing that dragging downward and inward will not give you the results you’re after.
- Using the wrong tool for your face: From shape to weight, if you don’t like how the tool feels, you won’t use it. It’s all trial and error! “Find a gua sha stone that feels comfortable to hold and suits your skin’s needs,” says Yau. “Different materials and shapes can impact the effectiveness and feel of the practice,” reminding us that acne-prone skin types should stick to stainless steel tools to avoid irration.
- Using your Gua Sha straight from the fridge: “Using a cold gua sha tool can constrict blood vessels and slow circulation. TCM emphasizes the importance of promoting the flow of Qi (energy) and blood, and warmth is essential for enhancing circulation, moving stagnant Qi, and supporting overall skin health,” explains Yau. “A cold tool may counteract the invigorating effects of gua sha, potentially leading to stagnation. Instead, I recommend soaking your gua sha tool in warm water before use. Be sure to test the temperature on the back of your hand to ensure it's comfortable before applying it to your face.”
Meet The Experts
- Lin Chen is a reiki healer and co founder of Pink Moon.
- Charlotte Yau is a Traditional Chinese Medicine expert and founder of Mulihood
