How To Build Your Gua Sha Toolkit (Even If You’re Acne Prone)
The following content may contain affiliate links. When you click and shop the links, A. Taylor Studio receives a commission.
I am not sure when I started my gua sha journey, but I do know that I’ve been doing it for what seems like forever! Even so, I have always been a bit concerned that it would lead to breakouts because I have oily skin and it involves priming skin with oil and pressing it into the face. I think it’s a valid concern, so I have always been hesitant to jump 100% in even though it is an age-old practice heralded for its benefits. It is indeed a workout for your face!
If you’re unfamiliar with it, gua sha is a facial message technique that helps to reduce inflammation, soften lines, and promote lymphatic drainage. I notice a distinguishable difference when I do it consistently, and there are people who SWEAR by it especially when practicing for prolonged periods of time. Using a gua sha tool and oil, one “lifts” the face using a gua sha tool with purposeful, gentle, yet targeted upstrokes along the cheekbones, neck, forehead and jaw area. I am fascinated by it and it seems like all of my favorite wellness gurus do it.
Even though I have combo/oily skin, I have found what I believe to be the perfect type of face oil to enhance my gua sha practice. This past month, I really held firm to my routine by making sure that I did at least 5 minutes of gua sha every night - properly. I am coming to you after just five days and nights of this practice and I am already noticing a positive difference. How do I explain it…my face looks more plump, more glowy. It’s definitely worth the hype. So, in this post, I am sharing everything from the exact products and routines I am using (and loving).
My Technique and Takeaways
It’s imperative that the face is hydrated and prepped before starting. Another thing I need to emphasize is gentleness. It’s so important to know the types of strokes to use, which direction, and not to be too firm. I always swipe my gua sha up and away from the nose (towards the ears, upward motion). The gua sha tool is designed with different edges to accommodate different areas of the face (nose/jaw/cheeks).
Experts recommend starting with a facial oil to hydrate the skin and help the gua sha tool glide along the face. My problem, however, has always been breaking out! I fear that adding oil to my face causes breakouts, and lately in my 30s my cheek/jaw area has been more acne prone than I’d like. But I had a brainwave — something to help curb the breakouts — and it has been working! ICE CUBES. That is the secret! Ice. Like gua sha, many people in the beauty biz are hailing the benefits of ice rolling. That is essentially what I am doing. Some prefer an ice soak, but my method is pretty simple (and free). Before I even apply oil to my face, I make sure that my face is clean by washing it with my favorite cleanser and a good old washcloth. From there, I get a small ice cube and glide it all over my face (while holding it in the washcloth). I let it melt all the way down as I glide it over my eyelids, undereyes, cheeks, forehead, nose, jaw, lips, temples, everything! My face is COLD and my pores are sealed shut. For me, this is a game changer because I can apply a little bit of facial oil with a reduced risk of clogging my pores. I have noticed a considerable difference! I ice roll with this method both morning and night. I have a little ice cube tray of mini ice balls and it works perfectly for me as I get ready both for the day and for bed.
I have a gua sha tool that actually doubles as a body gua sha (meaning you could use it on your entire body, not just face). I love it and find myself reaching for the chisel (comb) edge most often.
After doing my ice routine, I actually combine two oil types. First, I start with no more than 2 drops of citrus oil from Just Ingredients. I have to use it so sparingly because I am prone to breakouts; a little goes a long way, and the less I use, the better. I am super happy with this oil because it is super light and includes only clean ingredients. Based on the reviews, other acne-prone people are also super happy with this product. I use this to prime my face before the actual gua sha process. While massaging the gua sha stone upwards, I make sure to glide more so than press my skin. Once I reach my hairline, I press a little firmer and do a little wiggle type of motion which helps with lymphatic drainage.
When I need a little bit of color, sometimes I will add a drop of my favorite tanning oil by St. Tropez. This is a holy grail product that I also use extremely sparingly, and rarely ever by itself. Sometimes I will cut it into my moisturizer. I do not rub it in, just a dab! I usually do this after I am done gua sha. I use it along the cheeks, neck and forehead. Just a dab, and remember, pat it in vs. rubbing it in.
Finally, I love to finish my routine with a hydrating eye mask — the best brand that I have found is DRMTLGY, which was recommended to me by a sweet friend (she was onto it WAY before me!). She said it was the best brand around, and I happen to agree. If I am using this, I will apply the eye masks to totally clean skin either before gua sha or after. I find it is a great hydrating touch, and leaves my eye area looking plump yet firm. Sometimes I fall asleep with them on!
Gua Sha Toolkit: The Products I Use
Mini Ice Cube Trays (Replaces the need for an ice roller)
Overall, I hope this encourages people of all skin types to not be afraid of gua sha! I am loving its benefits — less inflammation, a more even skin tone, and hopefully over time a more sculpted face!