Gua sha facials have become the latest viral at-home beauty treatment. Though it’s been trending in recent years, the benefits of gua sha have been observed for centuries. Often done with face oils, one of the benefits of the ritual is that it helps the nourishing ingredients absorb deeper into the skin, creating the look of a smooth, glowing and sculpted complexion. If you’re looking for the best face oils for gua sha, read on as we explain the function of facial oils and suggest some options that you can incorporate.
Best Face Oils for Gua Sha
What is Gua Sha?
Gua sha is a traditional Chinese practice with numerous health benefits. Gua sha facials done using modern techniques are much gentler than the traditional approach. They are performed using a flat, contoured stone like rose quartz or jade, which is swept comfortably across your nicely oiled face and neck to boost the skin’s blood circulation. This is the secret behind the gua sha glow!
Studies show that gua sha facials relieve sinus pressure, headaches and tension in the jaw. The treatment also helps flush out toxins by improving lymphatic drainage, temporarily diminishing any puffiness. Licensed esthetician Ali Tobia says, “Gua sha works to move those collected fluids into the lymphatic system where they get cleaned and mixed back into your bloodstream. Unlike the circulatory system, there is no pump for the lymphatic system … By performing gua sha techniques, you are giving your lymphatic system the boost that it needs to rid yourself of the fluids that are stuck beneath the surface of your skin and causing your face to bloat.”
Gua sha may have other benefits too. It appears to relax the fibrous, collagen-rich connective tissue called fascia, which covers the facial muscles. This helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and may even encourage collagen and elastin formation. Regular gua sha facials can help define the contouring of the cheekbone and jawline thanks to the upward sweeping motion “lifting” the face and neck.
Benefits of Oil for Gua Sha
Facial oils give the skin some slickness, which allows your gua sha tool to glide over your skin with minimal friction. Shiri Sarfati, a Miami-based beauty expert and licensed esthetician, explains, “It’s important to have something that provides enough slip so that you can truly move the [tool] along the facial contours. For the job, oils tend to work better than serums.” The treatment also infuses the nourishing ingredients in facial oils deeper into your skin where they can work their magic — which is why choosing the right oil for your skin’s needs is important.
Best Oil for Gua Sha
Not sure how to choose the right oil for you? Read on to learn more about some of the oils we recommend and how they can enhance the benefits of your gua sha facial.
- Rosehip Oil: Rich in vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and essential fatty acids, rosehip oil is a major multitasker. It improves your skin’s moisture, tone and texture, and is ideal for contouring.
- Jojoba Oil: This “oil” is actually a wax ester, and wax esters are the main component in human sebum. Jojoba oil mimics the natural sebum in our skin, sealing moisture without clogging pores or exacerbating acne.
- Seabuckthorn Oil: A super-nourishing oil packed full of powerful antioxidants, vitamins and essential fatty acids, seabuckthorn oil is another great gua sha facial oil because the treatment sends the oil’s benefits deep into the skin.
- Camellia Oil: This dense, highly moisturizing ingredient revitalizes and rejuvenates the look of skin. A gua sha facial done with this oil gives your skin an incredible glow, leaving it feeling soft and supple.
- Marula Oil: Rich in fatty acids, this super hydrator works in perfect tandem with camellia oil for soft, smooth, radiant skin. Marula oil also effectively combats visible signs of aging from environmental stressors.
- Clary Sage Oil: Calming clary sage oil is a great choice for oily skin types as it balances your skin’s oil production.
- Olive Oil: Not just for salads, olive oil soothes the look of dry skin by deeply hydrating it, giving it the appearance of plumpness.
Our intensely hydrating and skin-protecting Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil boasts three of gua sha’s favorite oils: jojoba, rosehip and seabuckthorn. Rich in essential fatty acids that help problem skin and promote hydration and elasticity, Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil not only feels good, it’s good for your skin.
Find camellia and marula oils in our ultra-sensuous Camellia Glow Solid Face Oil. Just a little of this skin-softening, super-hydrating floral concentrate goes a long way to a supremely relaxing and beneficial gua sha facial. Warm a quarter-sized dollop in the palm of your hands before applying to face, neck and décolletage. Customer Delena says in an online review, “I’ve been using this solid face oil for the past year and I am obsessed. It is amazing. I live in a very dry climate and it provides excellent hydration and a beautiful glow to my skin. A little goes a long way.”
You can also use Facial Recovery Oil for a gua sha massage. This luxurious formula fuses olive oil, precious herbs and clary sage oil to improve the look of hydration in your skin. Watch as our Lead Skin Care Trainer, Natalie Pergar, goes into detail about which oils work best for gua sha and why, and gives a 5-minute demonstration that you can follow at home.
The Bottom Line: Best Face Oil For Gua Sha Massage
Incorporating gua sha into your routine can lead to visible improvements in skin tone and texture, alongside the therapeutic benefits of reduced stress and tension. This simple yet effective ritual not only promises a luminous complexion but also a moment of relaxation in your daily skin care routine.
Have you tried gua sha? Visit an Eminence Organics Spa Partner for a treatment and to find out more about gua sha techniques and oils.
