Beauty gurus, meet gua sha- the latest trend in skincare that’s actually been around for hundreds of years. This ancient Chinese remedy for facial and muscle relaxation has been lauded for centuries in its native land, so it’s long overdue for you to get in on the goodness! Read on to learn more about what is gua sha and a brief history of this intriguing skincare tool.
What is a Gua Sha?
Gua sha is a therapeutic method of relaxing the muscles and promoting circulation in the skin by using the flat edge of a small, rounded stone to massage the skin. The character 'gua' means to stroke or abrade, and 'sha' refers to the light redness that appears on the skin with such treatment. Traditionally, the stone is made of jade, although today you can choose your beauty tool to be carved from a variety of crystals, like onyx and rose quartz. It’s a minimal setup that comes with a host of health and beauty benefits for the skin.
First invented way back in the Yuan Dynasty, this stone was originally used as a quick fix for sunstroke and seasonal diseases like colds. The point was to stimulate qi, also spelled as chi, the quintessential energy that ancient Chinese practitioners believed animated the body. When qi goes stagnant, it leads to conditions like inflammation, sluggish blood flow, and overall poor health. The beauty tool combats this by revitalizing the skin and was used all over the body as well as on the face.
Key benefits of this beauty tool include muscle relaxation, lymphatic drainage, boosted blood flow, and reduced inflammation. Studies even show that it can increase circulation by up to 400%, speeding up the export of toxins and intake of vital nutrients and oxygen. That translates to perks for your face like reduced puffiness, relieved tension, and rejuvenated skin tone with less visible fine lines and wrinkles.How to use it is as simple as can be. Use the curved edge to stroke over the skin with light pressure, always with short strokes in one direction. Work it across your brow bone, between your brows, and down your neck to sweep away any lingering tension. Or, hold the flat side of the stone to the skin under your eyes or any particular stress spots to eliminate stress. Just be sure to always use facial oil or lotion with each use to help it glide easily and protect your face. You can also refrigerate the tool before use for a soothing cooling effect.
Don’t be alarmed by the redness that appears after use; this temporary flush is a desired effect that will soon give way to calm and improved skin. The goal is to have the skin undergo a light, controlled trauma. It will react to the stimulation by producing new collagen, leaving the skin looking and feeling more supple and refreshed.
5 Best Gua Sha for Gorgeous Skin
1. ESPA Rose Quartz Gua Sha Tool 2. Beauty ORA Crystal Roller and Gua Sha Set for Face and Body - Rose Quartz 3. Jenny Patinkin Transforming Petite Gua Sha Butterfly 4. Osmosis Beauty Rose Quartz Roller and Gua Sha Set 5. MZ Skin Instant Radiance Facial Kit
Exuding love, peace, and healing, this gua sha is the perfect addition to your skincare toolkit. ESPA’s Rose Quartz Gua Sha tool is made from rose quartz, a crystal famed for its powerful positive energies. Use it to refresh your skin and usher radiance and good vibes into your life.
Revitalize your visage with the Crystal Roller and Crystal Gua Sha Set from Beauty Ora. This handy set includes a face roller and a gua sha made of pure rose quartz. Enjoy a double-sided roller that makes it easy to target all areas of your face, soothe skin, and help products absorb faster. Sculpt and counter away with an ergonomic gua sha that will return your natural radiance to dull skin, while also enhancing smoothness, firmness, texture, and elasticity.
Beautifully shaped like a butterfly, Jenny Patinkin’s Transforming Petite Gua Sha Butterfly is a special beauty gift you know you deserve. Use either side of the butterfly to massage and stroke your skin, and feel the transformative energy of rose quartz lift you towards light and love. Plus, a portion of the proceeds will go towards supporting AAPI Women Lead!
Enhance your beauty inside and out with the Rose Quartz Gua Sha from Osmosis Beauty. This set is great for increasing microcirculation, oxygenation, and product penetration. It’s an easy and elegant way to revitalize any kind of complexion.
Treat yourself to a super-luxe beauty experience with the Instant Radiance Facial Kit. This pretty package gives you seven targeted pieces to help you attain maximum radiance right in the comfort of your home. Enjoy a refining mask, retinol skin booster, Vitamin C ampoule, and a lactic acid ampoule, plus accessories like a spa headband, mask brush, facial cleansing pad - and, of course, a sculpting rose quartz gua sha.
Discover the best pick of skincare remedies from all around the world for US customers at SkinStore today.
Sources:
https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-us/porter/article-81c1680be5fd1b8c/beauty/skin/gua-sha
https://www.vogue.com/article/gua-sha-history-at-home-self-care