P. Sze 
Using a jade roller and gua sha in your beauty routine can do wonders for your skin, combining the natural cooling properties of jade with the ancient healing techniques of gua sha. This powerful duo not only promotes lymphatic drainage and reduces puffiness, but it also enhances circulation, bringing a fresh glow to your complexion. If you’re new to gua sha, here’s a simple guide to get started. Below, you’ll find eight secrets to get the most out of your jade roller and gua sha combo.
1. Start with a Clean Canvas
For best results, always start with a clean face. Removing makeup, oils, and impurities helps ensure that both the jade roller and gua sha tools glide smoothly across the skin, without causing irritation. Clean skin allows for better absorption of skincare products applied during your routine, maximizing their benefits.
- Tip: Use a gentle, hydrating cleanser, and pat your skin dry to avoid any unnecessary tugging.
2. Prep Your Skin with Facial Oil
Applying a high-quality facial oil or serum before using the jade roller and gua sha tool can enhance the effectiveness of your routine. The added slip minimizes friction and allows each tool to glide effortlessly over the skin, reducing any risk of pulling or irritation.
- Recommended oils: Jojoba oil, rosehip seed oil, or squalane are ideal, as they are lightweight and provide plenty of hydration.
3. Start with the Jade Roller for a Soothing Experience
Jade rollers are perfect for a gentle start. Known for their natural cooling properties, jade rollers help calm inflammation and reduce puffiness, making them ideal for use in the morning or as a way to refresh tired skin.
“The jade roller is gentler on the skin, making it a good option for beginners,” explains Ms. Mai Sogawa, a senior TCM therapist. “Since it causes less friction, it can be used even when you can’t apply oil, such as after makeup. The roller is easy to hold and maneuver, so it’s recommended when you want to relax or incorporate it into a simple daily skincare routine.”
- How to use: Begin at the center of your face, rolling outwards and upwards. Start at the neck, then move to the jawline, cheeks, and finally the forehead. Focus on using upward strokes to encourage a lifting effect.
4. Use the Gua Sha Tool to Target Specific Areas
After using the jade roller, switch to the gua sha tool to focus on areas that need more attention, like the jawline, cheekbones, and forehead. Gua sha is effective for sculpting and can help reduce tension in the muscles, promoting a more contoured appearance.
“If you want to define facial contours more clearly or relax deeper muscles and experience more noticeable effects, Gua Sha is recommended,” Ms. Sogawa adds.
- How to use: Hold the tool at a 15-degree angle, and apply gentle but firm strokes. Glide the gua sha from the center of your face outward and use small, sweeping motions around the cheekbones and jawline to enhance the lifting effect.
5. Focus on Lymphatic Drainage for a Natural Glow
Both jade rollers and gua sha tools are renowned for their lymphatic drainage benefits, which help detoxify and reduce puffiness. This process flushes out toxins and excess fluids, resulting in a more defined, glowing complexion.
- Where to stroke for lymphatic drainage:
- Neck: Sweep from the base of the neck upward toward the jawline, then switch to downward strokes from under the chin to the collarbone.
- Jawline: Start at the chin and sweep outward toward the earlobe.
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- Cheeks: Glide outward from the center of the face toward the ear.
- Under-eye area: Lightly stroke from the inner corner of the eye outward to the temple.
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- Forehead: Start from the center, stroking outward toward the temples.
- Temples to ears: Stroke from the temples down to the ears, then down the side of the neck toward the collarbone.
- Technique tip: Use light pressure and gentle strokes, working your way down the sides of your face towards your neck. Start at the top and move downward to follow the lymphatic channels effectively.
6. Cool Your Jade Roller and Gua Sha Tool Before Use
For an instant cooling effect, keep your jade roller and gua sha tool in the fridge before use. The cool temperature helps constrict blood vessels, reducing swelling and tightening the skin. Cooling the tools can also make your routine feel like a mini spa experience, enhancing relaxation.
“Using cooled Gua Sha as a finishing touch on the face helps tighten pores and refine the skin’s texture,” says Ms. Sogawa. “For those who experience hot, sweaty feet or tired, swollen legs, massaging with a cold Gua Sha can be refreshing. However, since warmth is generally better for reducing puffiness, it’s recommended to follow the cold Gua Sha massage with a warming massage using the Gua Sha.”
- Pro tip: Use chilled tools in the morning to wake up your skin, or at night to calm any irritation from the day.
7. Combine with Face Masks for Added Hydration
Using your jade roller and gua sha with a hydrating sheet mask or after applying a gel mask can help boost your skin’s moisture levels. These tools press the serum deeper into the skin, locking in the mask’s benefits while also improving circulation.
- How to incorporate: Apply a hydrating sheet mask, then gently roll the jade roller over the mask to distribute the serum evenly. For a gua sha session, you can apply a gel mask or a generous layer of moisturizer and use the tool afterward to ensure maximum absorption.
8. Consistency is Key for Long-Term Results
While you may notice immediate effects, such as a fresh glow or reduced puffiness, the real benefits of jade rolling and gua sha come from consistency. Incorporate these techniques into your routine a few times per week to see lasting improvements in skin texture, firmness, and overall radiance.
- Suggested routine: Aim for two to three times a week for best results, but remember that a few minutes daily is better than one long session sporadically.
Try our Anti-Aging Gua Sha Tool designed to bring out your skin’s natural glow.
Best Gua Sha Product- Anti-Aging: The tool is designed to target 11 specific aging signs such as wrinkles and sagging skin. By following the 7-step routine, users can improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines naturally.
- Enhances Skincare Routine: It works effectively with serums and lotions, boosting absorption and efficacy of skincare products.
- Visible Skin Improvement: Users can expect a smoother complexion, reduced puffiness, and a more youthful appearance.
