by Mary Lou |
Last Updated: December 13, 2021 When you buy something using the links on our posts, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more.
Congratulations! If you made it here to our page, it means that you already know the wonders of Gua Sha and are now on the next step of buying the best gua sha tool for your face online. Gua Sha has been a huge discovery for me, personally. It’s allowed me to sport youthful, clear, and radiant skin despite being in my forties and living in a polluted city.
What is Gua Sha?
Developed in China, and rapidly taken up across Asia, Gua Sha is the practice of therapeutically bruising and roughening the skin, in order to stimulate pores and improve tone and texture.
For the face, a modified, gentler version simply involves exerting heavy, unidirectional pressure, such as you might experience from a firm massage, using a Gua Sha facial tool, and oil that is suitable for your skin type, preferences, and needs.
There are many ways to do Gua Sha in terms of strokes and intensity but here’s a basic guide for newbies.
Best Gua Sha Facial Tools
Gua Sha facials, while briefly uncomfortable, are not painful, and many people report feeling beneficial effects in the aftermath of a Gua Sha facial. Whether there are genuine medical properties to Gua Sha or not, it is clear that massage, and the right kind of oil for your skin type and needs, is beneficial in the sense of general well-being.
The 5 Best Gua Sha Facial Tools
Natural Rose Quartz
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This is a one-piece set. Made from a 3-inch polished piece of rose quartz, this will look good in any home or therapy room.
Rose quartz is a lovely crystal that would make a beautiful gift for a family member or a friend.
Pros:
- Well made
- Attractive to look at
Cons:
- Difficult to grip
- Might shatter
Value For Money?
It is a sturdy, well-made, attractive item. If you’re looking for a functional treat, this is a good option.
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EGLEF Natural Water Buffalo Horn
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This is a mid-priced, five-piece Gua Sha tool set, with differently shaped pieces providing a full facial experience. Though not as attractive as the rose quartz sets, they still do the job.
Pros:
- Functional
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Feels cheaply made
- Would benefit from instructions
Value For Money?
While not as attractive as other Gua Sha sets, this is a mid-priced option that does the job.
Because there are no instructions, you might feel lost on how to use these properly. If you are a beginner who needs help on how to start, you’ll find our step-by-step tutorial very handy.
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Acupress Natural Black Buffalo Horn
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A four-piece set, this is a little on the pricey side for what it is, but still looks good and performs well. The reviews from users are positive.
Pros:
- Different sized pieces give a good experience
- Light and easy to use
- Have better grip than steel tools
- Great alternative to more expensive tools like Graston
Cons:
- Looks cheap
Value For Money?
A little on the pricey side, especially as there are five-piece sets available for the same price.
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Stainless Steel Tool for Face
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If you want a tool to use for facial gua sha that is not made from jade or buffalo horn, you can try this metal tool. This metal scraper is made from good quality stainless steel. It will last longer than other tools and it is non-porous so it is easier to clean and maintain.
Pros:
- Stainless steel so it is durable and non-porous
- Made from 100% recyclable medical grade stainless steel
- It can last a lifetime
Cons:
- Not as aesthetic as the jade tools
Value For Money?
For under ten bucks, you get a lifetime beauty tool. It’s definitely worth trying.
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Handmade Jade Tool
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A striking, single Gua Sha facial tool, this would be a good warm up Gua Sha stone. The company also offers a 60-day money back guarantee, helping ensure you get exactly the right equipment for you and your skin.
Pros:
- 60-day money back guarantee
- Has the long rounded edges in both directions that the Graston tools have
- Versatile; can be used for other parts of the body like the back and foot
- Thick and sturdy
- Comes with a link to download a digital copy of a handbook
Cons:
- Shatters easily
- Too small if you’re planning to use it for full body; this tool is best for smaller and finer areas of the body like the face and neck
Value For Money?
This is a mid-priced item which could work well as part of a wider therapy regime. This is what I personally use. I’ve gifted this several times to friends and it’s always been a hit once I taught them how to use it.
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Bonus Tips
How time flies! I’ve been doing Gua Sha for more than a year now and apart from using your jade or bian stone on your body or face, I’ve found that there is one more use for Gua Sha on our body. I haven’t the time to write about it in full yet so here’s a little snippet.
You can use your gua sha tools to massage your scalp. Yes!
At the least, you’ll get a wonderful head massage. At most, you’ll get a fuller body of healthy hair. What happens is when the scalp is massaged regularly, the hair follicles get improved blood circulation thus promoting hair growth. If you’re the type to have hair fall or if hair loss is starting to become a real problem, I’d advise you to try Gua Sha on your scalp, too.
I use separate tools on my face and hair in one sitting, though. It just feels more hygienic.
Good luck on your facial care regimen! Don’t forget. You are beautiful.
Author: Mary Lou
In the Before Times, Maru spent vacations traveling and making stops at showrooms to test the latest massage chair models. Nowadays, she’s hunkered down in her small sunlit home dotted with her ever-growing collection of fiddle fig trees, indoor plants, and Himalayan salt lamps. Find her at LinkedIn.