It has been a year since I published my huge facial gua sha 101 article that explains the science of why you’d want to gua sha and how it works to promote lymphatic drainage, reduce muscle tension, reduce puffiness, fade lines and wrinkles, and bring a healthy glow to the complexion.
Since I wrote that article and started uploading video tutorials related to gua sha, I’ve gotten many requests for a video done in real time (not sped up or truncated in any way) and that demonstrates a full routine, covering the entire neck and both sides of the face (rather than just showing one side of the face for a shorter video).
Well, now I’ve done that for you! I have a brand new video that is available on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. However, note that YouTube has temporarily lowered the quality of all videos in response to COVID-19. I am also embedding it at the end of this post so you can watch it right here if you aren’t getting on social media right now.
Facial Gua Sha Results and Benefits
Here are some before and after photos from me after doing a 15 minute full routine as shown in this newest video:
Before and after a 15 minute facial gua sha session using a ceramic soup spoon
The things you can see clearly in the photos include a lifted droopy eyelid and brow (left side of my face in the photos), a sharp reduction in dark circles under my eyes, reduce puffiness in my cheeks (aka cheek sculpting), my lips are fuller, fine lines on my forehead are less visible, and my face overall has a healthy glow.
The things you can’t see include reduced brain fog (which I believe has to do with aiding the drainage of the glymphatic system out of the brain vis a vis promoting lymphatic drainage), no more headache, deep relaxation, and sharp mental focus.
How to Prep Skin for Facial Gua Sha
Facial gua sha should be done on clean, well lubricated skin. In this new video, I had already washed my face that morning and applied an essence and cream moisturizer. Then, a few hours later when I recorded the video, I refreshed my face with a hydrating mist and applied a facial oil.
On normal days, I do my full skincare routine with cleansing, essence or hydrolat, serum, moisturizer, and facial oil all at once and right before doing gua sha.
The absolute bare minimum that you need to do is cleanse and moisturize with an appropriate facial oil. You MUST use an oil or you could harm your skin. The stone needs to glide smoothly over your skin, and the act of gua sha actually helps your skin absorb skincare products, including oil.
As far as cleansers go, I commonly find that many people use very stripping cleansers that are inappropriate for their skin type and they don’t even realize it! That’s because that is how many of the inexpensive non-toxic cleansers on the market are formulated.
If you have normal or dry skin I recommend the Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil, which is formulated with bakuchiol, the non-toxic and equally effective alternative to retinol (read my review of Countertime and more about the science of these ingredients here).
For gentle exfoliation, the 5YINA Divine Bio-Adaptive Cleanser is the best I have ever used, it has mother of pearl powder in it.
If you are dealing with oily or acne-prone skin, I suggest the Countercontrol Clear Pore Cleanser (which has lovely biodegradable jojoba beads) or the Charcoal Cleansing Bar (I use this when I need a clarifying cleanser; lasts an excessively long time, 6-12 months).
Choosing a Facial Oil For Your Skin Type
For facial oils, I recommend several brands of properly blended facial oils that come in a variety of formulations for all skin types, whether you are looking for anti-aging, have dry skin, have oily skin, or have normal skin with no real concerns.
For anti-aging, my favorite is the 5YINA Quiescent Oil, with the runner up being the Beautycounter No 2 Plumping oil. The new Primally Pure Plumping Oil is also a top pick (and you can take 10% off your first order there with my coupon code CURIOUS).
For redness, sensitive, or acne-prone skin, I love the Beautycounter No 3 Balancing Oil. The 5YINA Lucent Oil and the Primally Pure Clarifying Oil are both also great for acne-prone skin.
If you have age spots, sun damage, hyperpigmentation from old scars, or even melasma and want to fade the appearance, I strongly suggest using the Beautycounter No 1 Brightening Facial oil, which contains vitamin C. I have seen it work wonders on my clients’ skin!
P.S. Beautycounter’s whole site is 10% off through Tuesday 3/31
Types of Gua Sha Tools
All you need to do gua sha is a $2 ceramic soup spoon, sometimes also called a “Chinese soup spoon”. I have 2 in depth videos showing exactly how to use a soup spoon to do gua sha.
But if you’d like to get some additional tools, here are the ones I recommend:
Primally Pure Gua Sha stone
Use coupon code CURIOUS for 10% off your first order
The Primally Pure gua sha stone is what I use in this new video, and it is my recommendation for your first tool because it has a comb edge, which you can use to buff out lines and wrinkles.
This stone is 50% off for today (Sunday March 29th) only! I strongly encourage you to grab one while they are discounted so steeply!
Rose Quartz 3-piece set on Amazon
This is the beginner’s set I used to suggest as my top option, but due to the lack of comb edge on any of the tools, it is now #2. You can still do a robust routine with these tools which I demonstrated in this video.
Got questions? Let me know in the comments!
