How to Choose the Best Gua Sha Stone for You
According to Cosmopolitan, Gua Sha has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years and involves the process of using stones to (gently) contour the skin. Without a doubt, it’s one of the hottest beauty crazes of 2021. As Scottsdale Comprehensive Acupuncture explains, gua sha and face roller have become popular in beauty regimens, and these brightening, detoxifying stones have become very popular in recent years.
It’s no wonder that Gua Sha is in the spotlight, becoming a big trend on TikTok, as the facial massage technique is reported to boost lymphatic drainage, reduce inflammation and puffiness, improve skin health, and reduce muscle tension. What more does your skin want?
When it comes to Gua Sha, acupuncturist Sandra Lanshin Chiu told Cosmopolitan, “When choosing a tool, the quality of the stone, the design and the craftsmanship are important.” As with any facial tool, you should do your research and choose the one that suits your desired function, she advises. . Scottsdale Integrative Acupuncture explains that most scrapings are made from natural gemstones such as emerald, white jade, rose quartz, amethyst, aventurine or sodalite. There are plenty of scraping tools to choose from, but how do you know which stone is best for you?
Choose Gua Sha Stones According to Your Needs
Green Jade Gua Sha
According to Scottsdale Integrative Acupuncture, green jade is a more traditional choice for facial rolling and scraping, as this colored jade was considered the ultimate gemstone in ancient China and the stone of choice for many Chinese beauty treatments. Bustle reports that jade tends to be the most commonly used natural stone for scraping tools because of its so-called balancing qualities. “It’s a natural cooling gem that feels super soothing on the skin,” explains dermatologist Jennifer Rock.
Rose Quartz Gua Sha
Scottsdale Integrative Acupuncture notes that white jade is cooler to the touch and slightly smoother than green jade. Another popular scraping stone is rose quartz, which has a calming effect and is often used for sensitive or damaged skin, according to Bustle. A somewhat unique type of scraping stone is obsidian, which, as Disciple founder Charlotte Ferguson explained to Bustle, is “formed from cooled lava, rich in trace minerals and great for reducing inflammation.” It’s also known as “the most sustainable.” guasha stone.
Amethyst Gua Sha
Scottsdale Integrative Acupuncture also recommends amethyst for guasha. Amethyst is rich in negative ions, which means it offers some fantastic anti-inflammatory properties, perfect for anyone looking for a more balanced complexion. Stainless steel scrapers may not have the traditional healing properties of gemstones, but according to Bustle, the material is ideal for use in warmer weather and reduces puffiness.
Gua Sha is known for its sculpting effects, and videos of its gentle massages have taken the Instagram beauty world by storm. If you’ve ever seen an influencer use a carved gemstone like rose quartz or jade and run it along their skin, you’ve probably seen the Gua Sha technique. However, in addition to improving blood circulation, reducing fine lines and lymphatic drainage, gua sha can also help heal acne.
According to Well+Good, gua cha can especially help those pesky blackheads. Since you’re actively stimulating and releasing toxins under your skin, it makes sense that this technique would help reduce acne breakouts. Holistic facialist Britta Plug explained to the media: “It comes down to the lymphatic system and drainage. Of course, the lymphatic system has many different functions and health benefits for the body, but in the case of your face, it’s about how [lymphatic fluid] is become the purulent system of the tissue.”