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- 10 of the Best Gua Sha Tools
10 of the Best Gua Sha Tools and How to Use Them
By Rebecca Jenkinson
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4 years ago | Updated
We’ve already mentioned all the best face massage rollers you need to try ASAP, but now it’s time we delved into the world of gua sha.
In the last few years, this small tool (usually in a very aesthetically pleasing green jade or rose quartz) has garnered plenty of worldwide interest, appearing in the likes of Vogue and even on your TikTok FYP.
However, as much as we love a new beauty trend, it’s important to understand the traditions behind gua sha.
What is gua sha?
Used as a healing technique in traditional Chinese therapy, gua sha has a longstanding history of alleviating alignments, symptoms and muscle pains. Gua sha is the act of scraping the skin repeatedly in one direction to improve circulation and remove toxins.
Gua sha facials can help tone your face and improve collagen production, as the light pressure of the ‘scraping’ releases muscular tension and expedites lymphatic drainage. Not only can it improve the appearance of your skin, but it’s also used to help increase blood flow and reduce inflammation.
On your social pages, you’ll see it being used pretty exclusively on the face, but in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) it’s used anywhere on the body, often the back. Gua sha in TCM aims to, in addition to the other benefits listed above and below, help stagnant energy, or qi, flow through your body to improve wellbeing. In the past, the massaging techniques of gua sha have been combined with things like stones, tin, coins or just hands.
Now, with the rise of DIY treatments during lockdowns and increased interest in natural alternatives to fillers and facelifts for getting firmer, younger looking skin, gua sha tools have become a staple in the bathroom cabinets and vanities of skincare fanatics all over the world.
Some of the skin care benefits you can achieve with a gua sha tool in the comfort of your home include:
- Smoothing fine lines and wrinkles
- Improving radiance
- Releasing facial tightness
- Face sculpting
- Reducing puffiness
How to use a gua sha tool
So, how exactly do you use a gua sha tool?
Unlike rollers (though you’ll often see them sold together), these handy little tools take a bit more patience and a bit more practice. It’s all about finding movements and routines that work for your body and your skin. Experts recommend not using this technique if you're struggling with a rash or sunburn but otherwise it's an easy option for an at-home spa-like treatment, which you can do daily to produce visible results.
To start off your routine, make sure you have clean, clear and makeup-free skin. Next, pick your favourite face serum or oil to help the tool glide across your skin. Here are a few of our faves.
Serums to use with gua sha:
Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Serum
£53.58For long-lasting, intense hydration, use this blend of multi-weight hyaluronic acid. It'll plump up your skin and strengthen your skin barrier.
ELEMIS Superfood Facial Oil
£44.00 £57.00 (23% off)We also love this facial oil (and everything from the ELEMIS Superfood range, really) for giving your skin a healthy glow. There's broccoli seed oil to soften the skin, flaxseed to seal in moisture and daikon radish to nourish.
Augustinus Bader The Face Oil
£212.00Try this fast-absorbing oil with your gua sha to reduce the appearance of fine lines and improve texture and tone with babassu, hazelnut, karanja and pomegranate oils.
The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%
£11.56 £28.90 (60% off)All skin types will love this cult-favourite serum, which supports healthy, youthful looking skin with matrixyl 3000, amino acids, hyaluronic acid and copper peptides.
Apply your chosen serum across the whole face, including the lips, brows, cheeks and even down your neck. Use a little more than you typically would to ensure your gua sha tool doesn’t tug or drag the skin.
Then depending on the shape of your tool, lay it flat against your skin and glide in a single upward direction. Start at the base of the neck and work your way up. You can use these gua sha stones across the jawline, up the neck, across the cheekbones, around the lips, around the eye area and across the forehead. Repeat each stroke five times to ensure lasting results.
Adjust the speed, pressure and placement to suit your preferences, but always make sure to go in upward motions to encourage lymphatic drainage.
Now for the best gua sha skin care tools to implement into your daily routine.
ESPA Rose Quartz Gua Sha Tool
£40.00ESPA have a range of facial massage products to choose from, but we love this Rose Quartz Gua Sha Tool. Rose quartz is known to promote relaxation and is often used for facials. The curved edge of this tool is great for gliding across the neck and jawline, while the short edge works perfectly across the brows and under the eyes.
UpCircle Beauty Gua Sha Facial Massage Stone
£14.99 £16.66 (11% off)For those who prefer their skincare with a conscious edge, this gua sha stone offers a simple, effective way to introduce facial massage into your routine. Its ergonomic shape allows you to work across the jaw, cheekbones and brow area with control, encouraging circulation and helping skincare absorb more evenly. Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, it’s a practical everyday tool that doesn’t overcomplicate the ritual.
Anara Skincare Rose Quartz Crystal Gua Sha
£40.00This rose quartz crystal tool brings a little ceremony to your routine. Designed to hug the natural curves of the face, it’s ideal for slow, deliberate strokes that help relieve facial tightness and support a more sculpted appearance over time. Used consistently with an oil or serum, it can leave skin looking brighter and more refreshed — particularly around the mid-face and jaw.
Calvin Klein Eternity Gua Sha Face Contouring Tool
£3.17Minimal, sleek and easy to integrate into any routine, this contouring tool focuses on precision. Its streamlined shape makes it particularly useful for defining the jawline and working around smaller areas like the under-eye contour. If you’re looking for a fuss-free introduction to gua sha without the heavy ritual, this is a straightforward option that still delivers that post-massage glow.
Payot Paris Lisse Smoothing Cares Ritual Gift Set 30ml Wrinkle Smoothing Cream + 30ml Sleeping Resurfacing Cream + Mini Lifting Face Gua Sha
£14.32A ready-made ritual. This set pairs smoothing day and resurfacing night creams with a mini gua sha tool designed to enhance application. The smaller size makes it especially useful for targeted lifting motions around the eye area and lips. Used alongside the creams, it helps distribute product evenly while adding a sculpting step that can elevate a standard moisturising routine into something more intentional.
FOREO BEAR Microcurrent Facial Toning Device
£223.00 £319.00 (31% off)Yet another impressive beauty device is this FOREO product, which uses innovative microcurrent technology with T-sonic pulsations. It might not be a typical massage tool, but it's perfect for sculpting the face and ensuring your serums deeply absorb into the skin, while still targeting fine lines and wrinkles.
ESPA Aventurine Jade Facial Massage Tool
£40.00Jade has long been associated with traditional facial massage, and this aventurine tool brings that heritage into a modern routine. The weight and cooling feel of the stone lend themselves well to slow, grounding strokes across the cheeks and temples. Particularly effective when used in upward motions along the neck and jaw, it’s a calming option for evening rituals when tension tends to settle in the lower face.
Sarah Chapman Skinesis The Facialift
£30.59 £34.00 (11% off)For those who want sculpting with a little more structure, this tool takes inspiration from professional facial massage techniques. Designed to mimic the lifting movements used in clinic, it allows you to pinch, roll and contour with more control than a traditional flat gua sha. It’s especially effective along the jawline and cheekbones, making it a smart option if definition and tone are your primary focus.
Holidermie Face Reflexology Tool
£34.40 £43.00 (20% off)Blending facial massage with reflexology principles, this tool encourages more targeted pressure along specific facial points. The design allows you to vary intensity depending on the area you’re treating, from gentle strokes under the eyes to firmer sculpting along the jaw. It’s an interesting alternative to classic gua sha if you prefer a slightly more dynamic, technique-led approach to facial massage.
FAQs About Gua Sha Tools
How often should you use a gua sha tool?
Gua sha can be used daily if your skin tolerates it well. A short morning session can help reduce puffiness, while evening use supports relaxation and tension release. If you’re new to facial massage, begin three to four times a week and increase gradually.
Should you use gua sha in the morning or at night?
Both timings offer benefits. Morning use focuses on de-puffing and refreshing the complexion, while evening sessions help relax facial muscles and enhance skincare absorption. The most important factor is consistency rather than time of day.
Can gua sha help with jaw tension and headaches?
Yes. Gentle strokes along the jawline, temples and masseter muscles may help relieve tightness linked to stress or clenching. While not a medical treatment, many people find regular use supports facial relaxation.
What’s the difference between jade and rose quartz gua sha tools?
Performance is largely the same — both glide across the skin to support lymphatic drainage and muscle release. The difference is mainly aesthetic and preference. Jade has traditional roots in Chinese beauty rituals, while rose quartz is often associated with calming routines. Both naturally feel cool against the skin.
Can you use gua sha with any serum or oil?
Gua sha should always be used with slip. Facial oils, hydrating serums and lightweight nourishing formulas prevent dragging and reduce friction. Avoid using on dry skin to protect the barrier.
Who should avoid using a gua sha tool?
Avoid gua sha over active acne, rosacea flare-ups, sunburn, broken skin or severe irritation. If you have underlying skin conditions or are unsure, consult a dermatologist before introducing facial massage.
For more skin care tips and tricks, take a look at The Best Skincare Sets & Bundles and Face Oils & Serums: The Ultimate Guide.
Written by Rebecca Jenkinson
Rebecca is a content writer with over three years’ experience and a keen interest in cosmetics. Cosmetify allows her to combine her blogging skills with her passion for beauty.
