Best Face Oils To Use With Gua Sha For Glowing Skin
Finding the best face oils to use with your gua sha stone can be challenging. With all the choices out there it can be hard to know what works and when to use it. Here clean beauty expert and Board Certified Physician Dr. Pooja Goel explains why she loves the following face oils to use in your gua sha practice.
Skincare Success
If you have fine lines and wrinkles or you just want to keep your skin more vibrant and healthy, a daily gua sha practice paired with the right oil can give you a major boost in the right direction. Some facial oils are better for acne-prone skin while others are better for skin with dark spots and pigmentation. A product with good lubrication and potent ingredients can really enhance the gua sha experience and make this skin care technique a tailored experience that’s worth your while.
Image by: Soma Ayurvedic
Best Face Oils To Use With Gua Sha: Soma Ayurvedic Vitamin C Serum
This citrus and rose based serum is perfect for all skin types and is packed with vitamin C. Vitamin C helps to fight free radicals, thus combatting the oxidative stress that makeup, sun, everyday pollution, and good ole aging bring your way. Using a C based serum in your morning gua sha routine is an excellent way to arm your skin for the day ahead. Vitamin C also has brightening properties as it inhibits melanin, this helps with dark circles and pigmentation. An added bonus, the anti-inflammatory properties of Vitamin C also aid in lymphatic drainage, which is an essential step in Gua Sha therapy.
Why It's Great
Clinical research has shown that Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and should be part of every skincare routine. It's great for skin brightening and improving the appearance of dark circles and pigmentation. The citrus forward scent with base notes of rose are not a bad thing to wake up with either!
When To Use
This is a good face oil to use in the morning. You can use this every day as most skin types can handle a daily dose of vitamin C. The rose oil base is very hydrating and can prevent drying. If you happen to experience drying, or breakouts, take a break from using it and reintroduce on alternating days.
Image by: Mara Beauty
Best Face Oils To Use With Gua Sha: Mara Algae Retinol Oil
Mara Algae Retinol Oil is a facial oil ideal for nighttime use. This Oil’s Algae derived retinol is a powerful tool for cell turnover. Combined with a regular gua sha routine which aids in bringing blood flow to the skin surface, this retinol oil can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven texture. Additionally, this oil is packed with other nutrients like vitamin E. Vitamin E is known for its healing properties, making it perfect for blemishes and acne scarring. An added bonus, the essential fatty acids in this oil provide the necessary hydration and nourishment for sensitive and aging skin.
Why It's Great
If you have any type of skin damage, this product is great for overall skin renewal. This oil also has a green tea element which is great for getting your skin an antioxidant boost. The retinol in the product comes at a slightly higher than usual concentration of 1.2% helping with accelerated renewal and is just the serum you need to combat damage and slow the aging process.
When To Use
Use this product at night before bed. This is a nighttime product as sun exposure can make your skin very sensitive if you are using retinol. Use it up to 3 times a week if your skin can tolerate it. If you experience dryness or irritation, reduce using this to once a week. This is a great oil for rejuvenation but it is important to use it alongside one of the hydrating daily oils or moisturizers for balance.
Image by: Odacite
Best Face Oils To Use With Gua Sha: Odacite Aloe Treatment Mist
This aloe rich product is one of our favorite mist oils. It is also powered with hyaluronic acid which boosts the skin's moisture helping to protect the skin barrier. Because it's a mist, it's easy to travel with and provides a lighter lubricating base so you can mist, gua sha, and go! Some key active ingredients in this product are aloe, rose water, spirulina, and rice seed extract. This formula also features immortelle, a soothing, anti-oxidizing herb. This product is great for combination skin.
Why It's Great
Great for travel, the Odacite Aloe Treatment Mist is a versatile product that can be used as a facial massage oil or a hydrating mist. It contains essential oils and is rich in anti-inflammatory properties, making it suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive skin. Because of the immortelle, a soothing herb, you may find it to have a calming effect at night.
When To Use
You can use this mist in the morning or the evening, or over changing time zones. It's a great choice for oily skin types because it is lighter than the other oils available on the market.
Image by: Grown Alchemist
Best Face Oils To Use With Gua Sha: Grown Alchemist Antioxidant Facial Oil
This facial oil is certified organic with a base of rosehip, borago and buckthorn. Rosehip is high in polyphenols which offer great protection against pathogens and UV rays. Borago comes from the star flower and is a potent treatment for atopic conditions like eczema and others. And most interestingly, Buckthorne has laxative properties that create a cathartic environment for the skin.
Why It's Great
The protective, healing, and clarifying powers of this oil combined with gua sha offer a complete skincare experience. It's also a great option for mature skin because of its hydrating properties. The triglycerides and fatty acids can help when skin has lost its natural plumpness over time.
When To Use
This oil is a great choice for both morning and nighttime use and pairs well with your retinol product of choice.
Image by: Kahina Beauty
Best Face Oils To Use With Gua Sha: Kahina Beauty Argan Oil
Kahina Beauty Argan Oil is a versatile facial oil that is suitable for all skin types. Rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, it nourishes the skin while providing anti-inflammatory benefits. This facial oil is perfect for those with acne scarring or dry skin, as it helps to soothe and repair damaged skin.
Why It's Great
This product is cold pressed and is certified organic. It is a simple product in that its only ingredient is cold pressed argan oil. So, if you are someone who has sensitive or atopic skin and have to watch for potential allergies, this is a great choice. It is also a non greasy option and does not leave a residue making it great for use during the day.
When To Use
You can also use this oil twice daily or right in the shower with your body gua sha routine. Yes, body gua sha is a thing.
How Does A Gua Sha Help Your Skin?
Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves using a specially designed tool, usually made from stone or jade, to massage the skin. The practice is intended to boost blood flow, improve collagen production, and enhance skin elasticity, resulting in a healthier and more radiant complexion.
When applying a gua sha tool to the skin, it gently scrapes and massages the surface, targeting facial muscles and helping to stimulate circulation. This increase in blood flow provides the skin with essential nutrients and oxygen required for maintaining a youthful appearance. Gua Sha is also believed to stimulate collagen production, an essential protein that contributes to skin's firmness and youthful elasticity.
Using face oils in conjunction with gua sha can significantly enhance the experience and benefits. A high-quality face oil provides lubrication and minimizes friction between the gua sha tool and the skin, ensuring a smooth and comfortable gliding motion. Additionally, many face oils contain nourishing ingredients that can further boost skin health and vitality. Some recommended face oils for gua sha include Rosehip Face Oil, Vitamin C Rose Oil, and hyaluronic acid.
Gua Sha goes beyond just physical benefits, as it also has roots in traditional Chinese medicine. These practices emphasize the importance of balancing the body's energy or "Qi." By using a gua sha tool on specific points and along energy channels on the face, the technique can potentially help release stagnant energy and promote overall well being.
How Often Should You Use Your Gua Sha?
Incorporating a gua sha session into your daily skincare routine can be beneficial, but moderation is key to ensure best results. Using your gua sha tool consistently, on a regular basis, plays a crucial role in reaping its benefits.
For a balanced gua sha routine, it is recommended to use the tool every morning for about five minutes. As you integrate this practice into your skincare routine, make sure to apply a good-quality face oil or serum beforehand to facilitate smooth gliding of the stone across the skin. This helps promote circulation and drain excess fluid from the facial tissues.
Following best practices during your gua sha session helps avoid mistakes and enhances the overall experience. The pressure applied to the face should be gentle yet controlled, keeping the stone as flat and close to the skin as possible, ideally at a 15º angle. Outward strokes toward the neck should be executed with care to avoid unnecessary friction against the skin.
Here is a summary of the dosage and best practices:
- Gua Sha frequency: once daily
- Duration: 5 minutes per session
- Skincare tips: use a face oil/serum before practice
- Technique: gentle and controlled pressure with a 15º angle
Best Face Oils To Use With Gua Sha: Summary
Gua sha is a cornerstone of the ancient Chinese healing technique that has become very popular in recent years. It is known for addressing specific skin concerns, including inflammatory skin conditions and even muscle pain. Certain blends feature vitamins C, linoleic acid, and hyaluronic acid and they help you get a smooth surface for your skin. Some oils are great to help repair free radical damage and protect against sun damage.
Finding the best facial oil to use with your gua sha can be difficult. There are so many products out there that finding the right oil for you can be tough. The perfect oil for one person may not be the right kind of oil for you. You may need to experiment with a few different types of facial oils to find the best oil for your skin type. Use the guide above to find the right face oil that will help you look and feel your best.