The best gua sha tools are in demand as more and more of us incorporate facial massage into our daily routine. Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these hand-held tools (pronounced gwa sha) are said to reinvigorate circulation, soothe tight muscles, and promote lymphatic drainage.
Despite being a fairly recent addition to our skincare routines, gua sha use dates back thousands of years. "Gua sha is an ancient practice for energy flow and blood circulation; ‘gua’ means to scrape, and ‘sha’ means sand," explains Chinese medicine practitioner and founder of Philosophia Botanica, Francesca Canzano-Franklin. "The term means the act of scraping the skin to remove an energy blockage using a stone made of bian, jade, or rose quartz."
Historically, gua sha was said to alleviate pain, but today they are used like the best facial rollers, to stimulate facial tissue for multifaceted benefits. "It boosts circulation – studies show by up to 400% – boosts collagen, and stimulates the lymphatic and immune system," says acu:east acupuncturist and TCM practitioner Charlotte Conwy. If you're looking to supplement your skincare ingredients with a tool, investing in one of the best gua sha tools could be a smart move – here's everything you need to know.
How we tested the best gua sha tools for this guide
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One of the gua sha tools we tested for this guide
To filter out the best from the rest, we tried a wide selection of gua sha tools – differing in shapes, sizes as well as materials. We used each tool as part of our daily skincare routine for several days, alongside one of the best facial oils for added slip.
In order to score highly, the gua sha had to be easy to grip and it had to hug onto the contours of the face without tugging or pulling. We also looked at how each of the tools on this list compared to each other, considering which materials and shapes worked best for specific purposes and skin types. The winning tools we’ve featured here all received top marks for ease of use and de-puffing results, without requiring too much skill to operate.
The best gua sha tools, as chosen by our beauty team
Gua sha isn't all about skincare results, as this gua sha tool promises to heal your skin as it helps relieve anxiety symptoms and relax your facial muscles. This gua sha is made of rose quartz, a stone widely considered to be a heart chakra aid and to contain healing properties that ease the tension and stress many of us carry in our facial muscles.
When testing, we found it particularly healing and great for relieving jaw tension – a necessary daily reminder to unclench those muscles while giving them some TLC. This gua sha tool is proof that the benefits of this practice can be both physical and mental. Our facial muscles felt and looked better after just a week of nightly use, and we experienced a definite glow. Plus, we can't help but adore how pretty this tool looked on our nightstand.
Although gua sha tools are most commonly made from some sort of stone, stainless steel makes for a brilliant alternative if you want something that is extremely cooling on the face. If you've already mastered how to use a facial roller, this tool will provide a similar de-puffing feeling - particularly if you keep it in the fridge (or better yet, in one of the best skincare fridges.)
When we used this gua sha, we found it to be extremely easy to use with a texture that glided easily across the face with little effort. Tugging is one thing you want to avoid, so a smooth texture is key. If you're new to gua sha, there's really no going wrong with this tool – the classic shape can target both smaller areas and wider sections of the face, with a dip that fits perfectly around the cheekbones. Use to relax in the evenings or first thing in the morning to help with de-puffing.
Proving you don't need to spend a lot to enjoy one of the best gua sha tools around, this nifty jade tool by Beauty Bay costs little more than a couple of morning lattes but will bring a whole lot of joy to your life. Jade is a hugely popular material in gua sha and is known for its cooling properties, making this an excellent choice for those looking primarily to de-puff or calm rosacea-prone skin.
This gua sha has a simple shape that we found extremely straightforward to get to grips with. Use the long edge to massage and work into larger areas of the skin, while the inverted 'lip' is great for getting into facial contours. As the cheapest tool on our list by some way, it's no surprise that Beauty Bay's offering is a little slimmer than some others, and lacks added extras such as a storage pouch. But as a quality tool for those looking to try gua sha without breaking the bank, you really couldn't go wrong with this.
This metal gua sha tool could be a great choice for those who are already familiar with gua sha practice and want to ramp up their routine. Why? Firstly, it's ultra-versatile so can be used in a number of ways. It has not one but six different shaped edges including typical long and curved sides for lymphatic drainage as well as less common shorter eye area curves, and collagen-boosting 'teeth' (less scary than they sound.)
As with others, we found that the stainless steel material, while not traditional, does make for an ultra-cooling massage tool. It's also super easy to keep sparklingly clean. We found this was one of the best gua sha tools on our list for easy grip, and stayed resolutely in our hands even when used with slippy face oils and serums. It seems to fit every contour, running easily along the jawline, underneath the cheekbones, and right into the eye area. It may not be the prettiest crystal option, but if you're looking for a no-nonsense, effective, and high-quality tool, this deserves that spot on your vanity.
What sets this gua sha tool apart from the rest is the unique shape that allows you to target specific areas, use various techniques, and achieve different results all with the same tool. Following the Herbivore directions, we used the longest edge to sculpt our jawline and cheekbones, the medium-length edge to promote lymphatic drainage, and the smallest edge for general pressure and massage.
While the small difference in the edges seems gimmicky at first, we were pleasantly surprised to see how easy this tool made our gua sha practice. We were also able to get into the undereye area and do a gentle massage, which helped alleviate undereye puffiness. By rotating the way we used this tool throughout our skincare night routine, we were able to reap all of the benefits of gua sha without too much of a learning curve.
Another rose quartz gua sha, another symbol of universal love. This heart-shaped tool is too cute to pass up and just as effective as its standard-shaped counterparts. As well as making it one of the cutest beauty gift ideas we've seen, the unique heart-shaped stone allows you to use the angles of the tool to gently dig into problem areas and define the edges of your face.
We found that placing the stone in the freezer for five to ten minutes before use gave us an added cooling effect. The heart shape helped cover wider areas on our cheeks, but we did find it a bit cumbersome on the smaller areas of the face and on our foreheads, which need a bit of curvature. Still, It's a cute alternative to standard-shaped gua shas and makes a nice gift for anyone in your life seeking out the best skincare devices.
There is something to be said for investing in this ESPA tool, one of the best gua sha tools that we've come across. First of all, due to being made of ultra-durable crystal rose quartz, this truly is a skincare tool for life. Take care of it and you'll never need to buy another one.
Clearly, a lot of thought has gone into creating this particular gua sha, as the elongated heart shape adheres perfectly to facial contours, gliding up cheekbones and really getting into the jawline for an effective lymphatic massage. It works beautifully with some of ESPA's best skincare products, which for the uninitiated are gorgeously sensorial serums and facial oils. This gua sha also feels particularly sturdy in the hand and we loved the extra touch of throwing in a cute cotton washbag to store the tool when you're not using it.
Blue sodalite is known to contain healing properties that bring about emotional balance and a calming sensation when used, encouraging peace and inner tranquility every time. Odacité Crystal Blue Sodalite Gua Sha helped give an extra boost of calm and luxury to an otherwise regular gua sha routine, and what set it apart from its counterparts was the heavier weight of the tool.
We found our gua sha experience more grounding and luxurious when practicing with this weighty tool and it had the added feel-good factor of supporting a woman-owned, PETA-certified brand. Lovely for gifting, we appreciate the vanity flex we get from this unique stone, instead of the usual rose quartz and jade.
If you’re ready to incorporate more advanced massage techniques into your skincare regime, consider investing in this Gua Sha Spoon from Muihood. The small, rounded spoon is the perfect shape to really sculpt cheeks and drain puffiness for a brighter, healthier-looking complexion. “The gua sha spoon offers a more contoured massage than say the classic heart-shaped tool,” says Yau, “it can be used to define facial features and release any tension.”
To use, Yau recommends starting with the spoon to lift and sculpt the cheekbones with several strokes. “Use the tip, at the opposite end of the tool, on acupressure trigger points, such as the temples, ears, and jaw, to release tension,” she continues. Once we mastered the technique, we thoroughly enjoyed using this tool to really massage the contours underneath the cheekbones. We also found that it helped ease sinus congestion and can double up as a skincare applicator – no more dipping fingers!
New to the practice of gua sha? This top-rated tool from Lanshin has been specifically created for beginners with its simplistic design that’s extremely easy to use. Instead of the traditional heart shape, you’ll notice that this gua sha tool boasts a square-like shape that’s easy to grip onto and maneuver along the facial contours. While the shape may be different from others, the benefits of gua sha remain the same and this tool can soothe tight muscles, reinvigorate circulation and improve the appearance of congested skin.
A great pick for travel, this tool comes complete with a matching dust bag to keep it safe while on the move. As for the material, we were very impressed with how sturdy and heavy this gua sha tool is – which is thanks to the high-quality precious stone that it's crafted from: Nephrite. You can rest assured that it won't break under deep pressure. Luxurious and cool to the touch, we found that it's especially soothing when alleviating congestion issues like headaches.
How to choose the best gua sha tool for you
Differing in shapes and sizes, finding the right one for you can be a tricky task. Charlotte Yau, founder of Muihood, a skincare brand rooted in Traditional Chinese medicine, breaks down the key factors to consider:
- Material: “In Traditional Chinese medicine, jade is a material that is cooling and smooth, making it especially useful for facial scraping and alleviating puffy eyes. Rose-quartz has properties that help soothe, purify and bring a deep inner feeling of healing and peace to the heart and mind.” Want to go green with your beauty regime? Black obsidian is said to be one of the most sustainable crystals.
- Shape: “Using precision gua sha tools can help target acupressure points, improve blood circulation and remove heat from the face.” Consider those with angled edges or a concave edge to really hug the facial contours. “Other smooth and rounded gua sha tools can help with massaging wider surface areas and relieving jaw tension.”
How to practice gua sha
This facial massage technique is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine practice. Here's a brief step-by-step from Yau to get you started:
- Cleanse the skin: “Begin your routine with cleansed skin. For evening, we recommend double cleansing to ensure make-up, sunscreen, dirt and excess oil is fully removed.”
- Apply oil or serum: “Applying oil or serum enhances the glide of your facial tools for fluid movements while nourishing your skin with nutrient-rich plant oils, butters and herbs.”
- Warm your gua sha tool: “Warm between clean hands before you use your chosen tool. In traditional Chinese medicine, we generally avoid using cold tools on the skin and body because cold constricts circulation.”
- Start moving: “Move the gua sha under the cheekbones, along the jawline, and gently under the eye area from the inner to the outer corner.” Use medium pressure and gentle motions for the best results.
- Practice makes perfect: Don’t be discouraged if you find yourself having a hard time at first. Consider watching a few tutorials to familiarize yourself with the practice. You will find your way around a gua sha in no time and soon you’ll have your own personalized 10-minute routine down.
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