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If you’re a person on the internet, chances are you’ve heard of a gua sha tool. Originating centuries ago in traditional Chinese medicine as a technique of therapeutic body care, gua sha has been rediscovered by the wellness crowd and is now a must-have in modern beauty routines. While celebrity aestheticians love to use gua shas during full body lymphatic drainage massages and facials, they are also easy to mix into your at-home beauty routine. You just have to know what to look for when shopping.
Ahead, we share expert insight on the benefits of this ancient technique, along with the types of gua sha tools on the market, and how to use them. We’ve tested dozens of options, consulted experts, and scoured the internet for reviews to bring you the best gua sha tools of 2024. Incorporate these tools into your routine to help increase blood flow, reduce puffiness, release tension, and more.
Pros
Six different edges
Easy to clean
Durable
Cons
Heavy
Pricey
Face Gym’s best-selling gua sha tool has six different edges, each with the purpose of helping you sculpt, lift, reduce puffiness, and promote lymphatic drainage. It’s ergonomically designed for easy handling and the variety of edges doesn’t let any area go untreated. It’s made from medical-grade stainless steel, which is cooling, non-irritating, and ideal for all skin types. Some people prefer this material over a healing stone because it can easily be washed and is far less fragile. It’s pricey but worth the investment since it’s extremely durable and won’t break.
Comes with: Gua sha tool
Material: Medical-grade stainless steel
Shape: Multi-edge heart shape
Face Gym rating: 4.7/5
A Face Gym reviewer said: “This tool is really the best to sculpt and improve skin’s texture. It has different angles which you can use for different areas, even to target the small lines. Love it!”
Pros
Comes with storage packaging
Affordable
Super smooth surface area
Cons
Fragile
ESW’s rose quartz gua sha keeps it simple. This tool helps firm and smooth skin to leave it toned and radiant. Since rose quartz is known to be quite fragile, this product comes with a canvas pouch and protective packaging to keep it safe during travel and storage.
Comes with: Gua sha tool, reusable travel canvas pouch, protective packaging
Material: Rose quartz
Shape: Heart
ESW rating: 5/5
An Amazon reviewer said: “My favorite gua sha ever! I’ve bought one off of Amazon before and it does not compare to this one. This one just glides over your face while using it whereas other ones are a bit rougher to use. I love using it everyday and you can definitely tell a difference before and after.”
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Pros
Comes in multiple stone options
Cons
Crystal stones are fragile
Basic shape
Skin Gym’s facial services are among the most popular and unique types of massages. Just as the name implies, therapists will quite literally give your face a workout through a fast-paced, pressure point massage. The service includes a gua sha portion, so by popular demand the brand launched a line of at-home tools. The traditional heart-shaped gua sha is the simplest way to pass through all the pressure points on your face. This product comes in a variety of stones so you can choose a healing energy which best suits you. Choose between amethyst, jade, rose quartz, black onyx, and stainless steel. Note the crystal stones will be more fragile than the stainless steel.
Comes with: Gua sha tool
Material: Comes in jade, rose quartz, black onyx, and stainless steel
Shape: Heart
Amazon rating: 4.5/5
An Amazon reviewer said: “I love this tool. I use it every day. The thing to watch out for is if you drop it. It will crack and then you are done. I especially like the rose quartz. Because of the breakage, many women get the stainless steel, but I wanted the feeling of the quartz. I am much more careful now.”
Pros
Easy to hold
Cool design
Cons
Difficult to use on face
Fragile
At first glance, the shining star of this product is the fun and appealing design, but after one use you'll quickly learn that it's the ergonomics that set this product apart from the rest. The open rectangle handle combined with a multi-curved edge allows you to easily move this stone up the body for a spa-like at-home massage. What you typically get in one pass with a traditional gua sha is multiplied by five. It's meant for full body use, which makes it larger than the facial gua sha so it can cover more surface area efficiently.
Comes with: Gua sha tool
Material: White jade
Shape: Open curvy rectangle
Urban Outfitters rating: 5/5
An Urban Outfitters reviewer said: “Great product! I definitely recommend it. You'll see results if you use it everyday.”
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Best Skincare Set With Gua Sha
Osea Glow & Go Facial Set in Beauty
Pros
Available at multiple retailers
Easy to hold
Complete set
Multiple edges to use
Cons
Pricey
Fragile
Gua sha tools are best when paired with the right products. Osea's nature-inspired skincare line perfectly pairs with their innovative gua sha tool. After cleansing, use the face oil to lubricate the skin during a gua sha massage. This one has a U-shape which allows a two pressure points at once.
Comes with: Cleanser, face oil, gua sha tool
Material: Jade
Shape: U-shape
Osea rating: 5/5
An Osea reviewer said: “I am so happy with the Jade Gua Sha Sculptor, as I have been wanting one for a while. I use it to massage my face, helping relieve tension and to sculpt my face.”
Pros
Cooling properties
More benefits with included roller
Cons
Fragile
No online reviews
The gua sha and face roller combo will set your jawline up for success. While the gua sha stone sculpts and contours the face, the roller helps reduce puffiness and dark circles along with increasing product absorption.
Comes with: Face roller and gua sha tool
Material: Rose quartz stone
Shape: Dolphin
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Best for Scalp
Act+Acre Scalp Gua Sha
Pros
Ergonomically curved
Aesthetically pleasing
Cons
Fragile
Pricey
A scalp gua sha treatment is one of the best massages you can give yourself. While it feels like heaven, it actually helps ingredients penetrate more deeply and efficiently into the scalp, while promoting microcirculation and relaxation. Stimulating blood flow on the scalp helps protect hair follicle health.
Comes with: Gua sha tool
Material: Jade
Shape: Comb
Amazon rating: 4.1/5
An Amazon reviewer said: “This feels so good on my scalp. Sometimes you really just need a scalp massage to help relieve some stress and tension.”
Pros
Bian stone offers unique healing properties
Good for small areas
Easy to hold
Cons
Fragile
Small wand takes longer to pass
Pricey
This tool is described as "stress melting magic" as it gently relieves tension through detail oriented movements to restore the flow of energy in the skin. The wand shape allows you to be specific in sculpting, especially around the jawline, neck, and eyes. It's made from bian stone, which is a unique for a gua sha, but widely known for its healing benefits.
Comes with: Gua sha tool
Material: Bian stone
Shape: Wand
Bluemercury rating: 5/5
A Bluemercury reviewer said: “I love this tool. I think it’s my favorite one of all their gua sha and cupping options. It really can get in to pressure points for headaches and jaw pain. Don’t sleep on it.”
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Pros
Affordable
Used by the pros
Cons
Fragile
No online reviews
This U-shaped tool is used by pros at The Now massage boutiques across the country. The double pointed U-shape mimics two strong fingers applying pressure to points that will stimulate full body blood flow and lymphatic drainage. It's super smooth, cooling, and the only under-$20 tool on this list. It can be used on both the face and the body.
Comes with: Gua sha tool
Material: Rose quartz
Shape: U-shape
Pros
Designed for specific parts of the body
Can be heated or chilled
Bian stone offers unique healing properties
Cons
Difficult to massage yourself
Fragile
No online reviews
As the largest gua sha on this list, Heat Healer's stone tool is meant for some major body lymphatic drainage. Considered a body paddle, it's meant to be used hot or cold for maximum benefits. It's been cut and polished to make six unique shapes that perfectly fit each part of your body from your calves to your inner and outer thighs, forearm, bicep, neck and more. Benefits from a stone this large include reducing fluid retention throughout your body, toning and tightening skin, reducing cellulite, removing toxins, and aiding in healing sore muscles.
Comes with: Gua sha paddle and box
Material: Bian stone
Shape: Unique paddle design
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What is gua sha and how does it work?
The art of gua sha involves using a smooth-edged tool to gently scrape the skin, which helps stimulate microcirculation and increase blood flow. This process can reduce inflammation, ease muscle pain, and promote lymphatic drainage, which is essential for detoxifying the body. By targeting specific areas, gua sha can also help release tension in muscles and fascia, relieving chronic pain and improving overall mobility. Beyond the physical benefits, gua sha can profoundly impact mental well-being, offering a calming and meditative experience that reduces stress and promotes relaxation.
“There are so many beautiful benefits,” Inderma Studio founder and licensed esthetician, Nichelle Temple says. “It’s a lovely form of self-care that can reduce muscle tension, as we hold so much stress in our face. It also acts as a body and facial rejuvenation, which can result in a more lifted and sculpted face, improve skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, reduce inflammation and help out the lymphatic system. It’s also great to help clear out sinuses and allergy puffiness in the eye area.”
What are the best types of gua sha tools?
Gua sha tools vary in shape, size, design, and material. Varying gua sha shapes cater to different parts of the body and face. Plus, certain materials are thought to offer different energetic properties, like rose quartz, jade, or amethyst.
The size and shape of the tool depends on its purpose. Facial sculpting is the most popular method of gua sha, but larger styles can be used for a full-body treatment or even on the scalp. Popular massage studios like The NOW Massage offer a gua sha addition to their signature services. “Gua sha can be incorporated into our full-body massages by using our smooth rose quartz tool to glide across the skin in a gentle, yet firm motion. This promotes the flow of energy, or qi, in the body, and releases stagnation that may be causing muscle pain or tension,” Matthew Perry, learning and development manager at The NOW Massage and licensed massage therapist says. You can mimic the same technique at home for full-body benefits.
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What should I look for a gua sha tool?
When looking to purchase a gua sha tool, consider the material, shape, and ergonomic design. For best results, use a flat, smooth gua sha tool with curved edges. For larger muscle areas, look for a larger tool with both curved and flat edges, and for facial contouring, opt for something smaller that can hit all types of pressure points. Temple suggests using “a real stone in a shape with angles to match the contours of your face.” When it comes to materials, it’s all personal. “I like a shape with teeth or a comb to help stimulate acupressure points and curves to help accentuate the cheekbone,” she adds. “If you collect crystals, look for one that speaks to you, as crystals are associated with different healing powers.”
How do I use a gua sha tool?
The first rule of gua sha is to apply an oil or balm to reduce friction and allow the tool to glide smoothly over the skin without irritation. Some gua sha tools even come in a set with face oils and other products.
For body work, “apply gentle to moderate pressure and use long, smooth strokes, moving upwards toward your heart. This helps to promote lymphatic drainage and stimulate circulation,” Perry explains.
When it comes to sculpting your face, “the best gua sha method involves starting at the back of the neck, mowing up along the spine, then going across the décolleté towards the armpit, before working your way up to the face. Always work one side at a time. Once you’ve completed every move on the left side, repeat to the right, starting at the décolleté and moving up,” Temple explains. Continue these micro-movements all along the cheekbones, temples, and jawline. Incorporate the gua sha into your regular skincare routine to maximize the benefits.
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Meet the Experts
Nichelle Temple is an NYC-based esthetician and the owner of Inderma Studio. She's a graduate of the Aveda Institute, and certified in Reiki and gua sha. Nichelle is committed to using only professional-grade, or certified organic skin care products, coupled with cutting-edge technology, to deliver instant and radiant results for all skin types and lifestyles. She enjoys educating and empowering clients with a holistic approach.
Matthew Perry is the learning and development manager at The NOW Massage, a popular upscale yet affordable chain of body care. The NOW incorporates raw elements inspired by nature to form the ultimate zen environment for optimum relaxation and professional body care.
Vanessa Powell is an LA-based fashion editor and stylist turned wellness guru that tests countless products to curate informative shopping guides in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle space.
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