Everything You Need to Know About Gua Sha

If you've been scrolling Instagram lately, chances are you've spotted a little flat stone gliding across someone's face. That's Gua Sha, and it's not a new trend dressed up for the algorithm.

This ancient Chinese tool has been used for centuries to relieve muscle tension, stimulate circulation and support collagen production, long before it ever showed up on a For You page. Used the right way for your skin, it can help with puffiness, sagging and that dull, tired look that comes from sluggish blood flow.

It's also become known for its sculpting effect, the kind of gentle definition that shows up along the cheekbones with regular use. Curious where to start? Here's everything you need to know.

Picking a Stone

Not all Gua Sha stones do the same job, so it's worth choosing yours based on your skin rather than whatever's trending in your feed.

• Nephrite jade is the most common choice. It naturally generates a little warmth against the skin, which helps stimulate blood flow. The Orchard St Nephrite Jade Gua Sha is built around this, supporting firmer skin and collagen production.
• Rose quartz suits sensitive skin especially well. It's gentler on the skin's surface and is often used to help calm acne or pigmentation. The Orchard St Rose Quartz Gua Sha is a good pick here, helping detoxify and reduce inflammation.
• If you want something with a different feel, the Ere Perez Quartz Sculpt Lift Stone is worth trying, particularly if you're after a slightly different sculpting motion in your routine.

If you're still not sure which stone fits your skin, Loyal Crush's guide on finding the perfect Gua Sha gemstone for you breaks it down further.

Prep the Skin

Your Gua Sha needs to glide, not tug, so prep matters more than people realise.

• Start with a clean face. An oil cleanser clears away makeup and daily buildup without stripping your skin dry.
• If your skin can handle it, a gentle exfoliating face scrub beforehand smooths the surface, so the stone has less resistance to work against.
• Dry skin needs a bit more prep before the stone touches your face. Loyal Crush's face care products for dry skin help avoid any unnecessary tugging.

Once skin is clean, apply a generous layer of facial oil or serum in gentle tapping motions, giving it a minute to start absorbing before you pick up the stone. This step is easy to rush, but it's what makes the rest of the process feel good rather than scratchy. The Retreatment Botanics Kakadu Brightening Serum works well here, pairing Vitamin C with hyaluronic acid to hydrate, plump and even out tone while you massage it in.

Not sure which serum to reach for? Loyal Crush's breakdown of which Loyal Crush serums work best with the Gua Sha technique is worth a read before you start.

Facial Techniques

Once your skin is prepped, it's time to pick up the stone.

• Start with slow, gentle strokes, moving upward and outward across the face
• Use light pressure on your first go. Pressing too hard can leave temporary red marks, which will fade but aren't necessary
• On the neck, use downward strokes to help drain the lymph nodes and smooth necklines
• Repeat each stroke five to ten times per area for the best result

You can also hold the skin taut with your free hand for a firmer, more targeted press. Take your time here, the technique matters more than speed. It's tempting to rush through it like a chore, but slowing down is really the whole point.

Morning or Night?

Consistency is what actually brings results, more than whether you practice morning or night.

A few things to know:

• Daily use helps release tension and keep circulation moving
• A few times a week is enough for most people, depending on your skin's tolerance
• Gua Sha is often used to support mature skin specifically, since it targets the sagging and volume loss that comes with age. Loyal Crush's skincare products for mature skin pair well with a regular practice.

Morning use tends to help with puffiness before you head out the door, while an evening session pairs nicely with winding down. Follow up your massage with moisturiser, eye cream and your usual serum to lock everything in.

Ere Perez Quartz Sculpt Lift Stone

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Add a Weekly Boost

Alongside your regular practice, a cruelty-free hydrating face mask once a week helps replenish moisture your skin loses through the day. It's a simple way to support the same circulation and calming benefits Gua Sha already gives you, and a nice thing to pair with your stone once a week rather than every session.

Care for the Rest of You

Self-care doesn't have to stop at your jawline. An organic body moisturiser is worth keeping in the same routine, especially if you're already setting aside time for a proper at-home ritual. It's an easy way to extend the same care past your neck without adding much extra time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few things trip people up when they're new to Gua Sha:

• Using it on dry skin without oil or serum first, which causes dragging rather than gliding
• Pressing too hard too soon, before your skin has adjusted to the pressure
• Rushing through it in under a minute, which skips most of the benefit
• Forgetting to clean the stone after each use, since oil and product residue build up quickly

None of these are dealbreakers, they're just easy habits to correct once you notice them.

Set the Mood

Gua Sha works best as a proper pause, not something squeezed in between other tasks. Light a candle, put on something calming, and give yourself the few minutes this practice actually deserves. It's as much about the ritual as the result.

If you want to turn it into a proper ritual, the Eunoia Mumma Goddess Journey Pack is a nice way to build out a full at-home self-care evening around it.

Find the latest skincare tools now available at Loyal Crush.

FAQs

How often should I use my Gua Sha?

Daily is ideal for consistent results, though a few times a week is enough for most people depending on your skin's tolerance.

Is it normal to see red marks after using Gua Sha?

Mild redness from pressing too hard is common early on and fades quickly. It's a sign to ease up on pressure, not a cause for concern.

Do I need a different stone for different skin types?

Not strictly, but rose quartz tends to suit sensitive skin better, while nephrite jade works well for most other skin types.

Can Gua Sha replace facial treatments?

It won't replace a professional facial entirely, but consistent practice at home genuinely supports circulation, tension release and skin tone over time.

What should I apply before using my Gua Sha?

A facial oil or hydrating serum is essential, so the stone glides rather than tugs at your skin.

Words by Loyal Crush HQ. Photography by Xanthe Wetzler.
Find Xanthe at @xanthewetzler and www.xanthewetzler.com