What Oil To Use For Gua Sha Facial According To Expert Opinion

Recently, the beauty industry has seen plenty of skin treatments that promise beautiful clear skin. But, one particular treatment has become a go-to option, and that is gua sha. If you are wondering what oil to use for gua sha face treatment or want to learn more about it, you’ve come to the right place.

If you’ve been on Instagram recently, you probably noticed that gua sha facial oils are popping up all the time. It’s said that they can do wonders for your skin. But, with so many products promising amazing results, it gets very tricky to find the right one.

Don’t worry. That’s why we’ve decided to compile all the information on using oil for facial gua sha. Here is all you need to know.

What Is Gua Sha?

Gua sha is an ancient Chinese treatment that eases muscle tension and promotes drainage. That’s why it can make your face appear temporarily slimmer after treatment.

This could be a highly efficient massage alternative with numerous benefits for the skin. According to research, this is an excellent way to promote blood circulation, soothe the pain, and allow healthy and revitalized skin tissue to grow. The better the circulation, the easier it will be to clear out the toxins from the skin and give it a healthy glow.

The technique used during treatment means “scraping.” You have to apply oil and use a scraping tool made of rose quartz, jade, or other similar stones. Then, you would need to scrape the surface of the skin with the preferred tool and create friction to get the desired effect.

Why Do You Need a Gua Sha Facial Tool and Oil?

This simple yet very gentle technique promotes a healthy lymphatic flow. The gua sha tool enables you to work deeper into the skin and to the muscles. This is not something you can achieve by merely relying on your fingers.

Facial oils, on the other hand, provide extra nourishment, hydration, and moisture that balance out the skin. Not only do they give a healthy glow, but they also make the gua sha scraping a lot smoother and more comfortable to complete.

With the help of gua sha oil, the tool will glide down your skin and help you get a comfortable massage. Of course, every oil is different. Therefore it’s best to pick the product best-suited for your skin.

How to Use a Gua Sha Facial Tool?

Trying out a gua sha tool for the first time is very easy. All you have to do is stick to the following steps, and you will enjoy a massage in no time.

  • Step 1: Cleansing – Wash your hands and face to create a clean surface. Your skin needs thorough cleansing to prevent bacteria transfer back and forth onto the skin.
  • Step 2: Facial oil – Cover your neck and face with an oil of choice. Start from the forehead and move down to the neck.
  • Step 3: Warm-up – Before you start with the massage, rub the gua sha tool to warm it up.
  • Step 4: Scraping – Scrape the skin with soft strokes. Keep the tool flat and move it up and down the skin. Glide the tool across the entire face and neck. Sweep every area at least three times before moving to the next spot.

Note: If the gua sha tool is pulling or dragging the skin, you need to add more oil. This will give the gua sha tool a more relaxed slip.

For more detailed instructions, you may want to check out our Gua Sha Facial Kit.

Learn To Create The Perfect Skincare Routine At Home With Our Gua Sha Guide.

Top 5 Oils for Gua Sha Face Experts Recommend

According to Dr. Howard Sobel, an expert dermatologist, no matter what kind of gua sha tool you are using, you always need to apply oil on the skin.

That way, you won’t have to tug and drag the skin. In fact, the more you drag it, the more likely you are to expose the skin to premature aging, particularly in highly delicate areas. Here are some of the most popular facial oils you might want to take a look at.

1.   Cedar Creek Essentials Massage Oil

 

For those who want a multi-purpose massage oil, this product may do the trick. It is an entirely organic and natural facial massage oil packed with potent therapeutic properties. Due to the Jojoba Oil and other ingredients, it could have the potential to treat acne, clear out the pores, soothe the irritation, and calm the skin. Overall, it is a useful oil for promoting blood flow when doing a gua sha massage. But, most importantly, it is a non-comedogenic product, which means it is suitable for all skin types. The bottle also has a lovely fragrance and leaves a heavy, oily feeling on the skin – perfect for a facial massage.

2.   Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Oil for Face

 

If you are looking for a facial oil for a tight budget, it can’t get better than this one. Most cheap alternatives come with chemicals and phthalates. This one is different. It features a unique formula that brightens the skin and gives you a more youthful look. Compared to other similar products on the market, this one doesn’t contain any parabens and is a high-quality hypoallergenic. If you don’t want to spend a hefty sum to look good, you may like this one. The cocoa butter formula is the cheapest option on this list and can be useful for any skin treatments. The goal of the oil is to soften and hydrate the skin. This is practically the same effect you would get if you applied a lip balm on the lips. In the end, you can get an even skin tone and may even slow down premature aging.

3.   The Ordinary: Zinc 1% + Niacinamide 10%

If you have dehydrated skin, Dr. Amanda Doyle, a certified dermatologist from New York, suggests you go for a moisturizing formula packed with hyaluronic acid. This kind of oil will give the skin all the nourishment it needs and make scrapping super easy. It comes with a potent vitamin formula for soothing the irritation. In other words, it could be an excellent solution for treating oiliness and clearing out the pores. But, most importantly, the product doesn’t contain any alcohol, gluten, or fragrances. Instead, what you get is an entirely vegan oil that is cruelty-free.

4.   Luna Sleeping Night Oil

After a long day at work and wearing makeup for hours on end, the skin can get extremely stressed. No wonder you experience dryness, spots, bad texture, and fine lines. To relax the skin at nighttime, it is best to use a chamomile facial oil like this one, advises Hadley King, another dermatologist from New York. Chamomile is known for soothing the muscle tension and boosting blood flow, which is what you need when doing a gua sha facial. The therapeutic properties of the oil will calm the nerves and let the skin make the most of the gua sha treatment. The product doesn’t contain any harmful toxins that may damage the skin. Instead, it is designed to even out the complexions and calm the redness. If you’ve been dealing with severe skin conditions, you may like this one.

5.   U.F.O Acne Treatment Face Oil

Most facial oils take a while to react. This one delivers quick results and removes the debris congesting your pores. The ingredients in this product enable it to balance the functions in the skin and replenish its nourishment. This is one of the most valuable benefits to have when dealing with blackheads, premature aging, and other debilitating skin problems. If you are using gua sha to treat acne-prone skin, you might like this oil. It is a practical option for boosting blood flow and removing all the puffiness. This product contains black cumin and tea tree oil, which are known for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. But, the mix of cucumber and milk thistle gives it an extra moisturizing effect. Overall it’s an excellent alternative for lymph drainage and may even help reduce acne, suggests King.

Final Thoughts

A lot of people have only recently started gua sha facial massages. But, compared to modern-day face scrapping, gua sha treatment is entirely different. You don’t need vigorous methods; you just need to apply the right oil and massage the area gently. It may be challenging at first, but all the effort is completely worth it.

With little practice, you will quickly get the hang of it. Also, don’t forget to pick the oil based on your skin type. As long as you provide the skin with all the fatty acids, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, you will be on the right track. Now that you know which oils to go for, you will have a much easier time deciding.

Author: P. Sze

P. Sze P. Sze is the founder of TCM Tips and Dragon Acupuncture®. She graduated from the National University of Singapore with a first-class honor in Civil Engineering. S he also holds a master’s degree in Engineering and is the brain behind the innovative TCM products of Dragon Acupuncture®. She is the author of The Beginner's Guide to Auricular Therapy: Application of Ear Seeds (ISBN 978-1520451398) and Facial Gua Sha - Fight the Signs of Aging Naturally and Inexpensively (ISBN 978-1980678922). She has dedicated her life to ensuring that the complex theories behind oriental medicine and the seemingly dangerous techniques that involve needles and fire do not scare you from trying oriental medicine. This is why she writes endlessly about acupressure and its countless health and wellness benefits.

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