Gua sha: how to use it properly in 5 minutes (step by step)
Gua sha is one of the loveliest and simplest rituals for relaxing your face. Here's the step-by-step routine by area, in five minutes, and the mistakes that make it pointless.
What is gua sha?
Gua sha is a massage technique from China that uses a flat tool with curved edges, traditionally made of stone and now also of steel. On the face it's used with gentle pressure to relax the muscles, give a cooling feeling and help the face look less puffy.
Steel versions, like the heart-shaped cold gua sha, stay cold for longer and are easy to clean.
Before you start
- Clean face and a clean tool.
- Facial oil or serum, generously: a gua sha should never drag your skin.
- Cold is optional: keep it in the fridge for extra freshness in the morning.
- Angle: the tool almost flat against your skin, not on its edge.
The 5-minute routine, area by area
- Neck (1 min): from under the jaw down to the collarbone, along the sides of the neck. It prepares the area.
- Jaw (1 min): with the V-shaped edge, from the chin to just below the ear, following the bone.
- Cheeks and cheekbones (1 min): from the nose towards the ear, under the cheekbone, with the long edge.
- Eye area (30 s): with the small edge and almost no pressure, from the inner corner to the temple.
- Forehead (1 min): from the eyebrows up to the hairline and from the centre out to the temples.
- Finish (30 s): a few long strokes from the temple down to the collarbone.
How often to use it
| Goal | Frequency | When |
|---|---|---|
| Less puffiness | Daily or 3-5 times a week | In the morning, with the tool chilled |
| Relax the jaw and forehead | 3-5 times a week | At night, with oil |
| Self-care ritual | Whenever you like | After your serum |
What to pair it with
- An ice roller in the morning for extra cold: the 2-in-1 ice roller and gua sha combines both.
- A facial massager at night, with heat and vibration, if you like a fuller massage: take a look at the 3-in-1 facial massager.
- If you wake up with a puffy face, also read how to depuff your face in the morning.
Most common mistakes
- Using it dry: it drags your skin. Always with oil or serum.
- Pressing too hard: on the face the pressure is gentle; it shouldn't hurt or leave marks.
- Stroking downwards on the face: movements go upwards and outwards (except on the neck).
- Going over spots, cuts or irritated skin.
- Not cleaning it: wash it with soap and water after every use.
Frequently asked questions
Does gua sha really work?
As a massage, yes: it relaxes the facial muscles and helps your face look less puffy and more rested. The effects are temporary and more noticeable with consistency.
Is a stone or a steel gua sha better?
Both work. Steel stays cold longer, won't break if dropped and is very hygienic; stone has a more traditional feel.
Can I use a gua sha every day?
Yes, with gentle pressure and plenty of slip. If you have sensitive skin, start with 2-3 times a week.
What oil should I use for gua sha?
Any light facial oil or a serum that glides well. If you have oily skin, choose a non-comedogenic one.
Morning or night?
In the morning, cold, to depuff; at night, with oil, to unwind. Both are good.
Don't use it on inflamed acne, active rosacea, cuts or if you have a bleeding disorder; in that case, ask a professional first.
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