by Mary Lou |
Last Updated: September 24, 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.
Gua Sha oils help your board run smoothly across your skin. If you choose well, it has the added benefit of nourishing and moisturizing your skin. Before using any oil on yourself, be sure to do a patch test first!
I previously talked at length about the history of gua sha therapy, the best tools to use for it, and even the different frequencies of each stone. Now let’s talk about the best oils you can buy online if you are doing gua sha on your body.
Note: If you are doing gua sha on your face, you can check out our step-by-step guide here and our list of recommended tools. The below list of oils is specifically for use on the body.
Top 7 Gua Sha Oils
Traditionally in the East, peanut oil would have been used in Gua Sha. As many people have allergic reactions to peanuts in the West, this is commonly replaced with sweet almond oil.
Basic carrier oils such as jojoba and grapeseed oil are also used.
Best Cooling: CoCo Coconut Oil
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If you’re a fan of pure organic extra virgin coconut oil, then give CoCo a shot.
Used on the skin, coconut oil is a completely natural, quite thick oil that works well for a cooling massage.
Pros:
- When used for Gua Sha, it will take out some of the sting from the firm scrapings; it is also cooling so you get some relief
- Great for massage as it is light and melts beautifully when applied
- Really high-grade extra virgin coconut oil; especially made for beauty purposes
- You get all the benefits you can get from high-quality coconut oil; coconut oil is antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-microbial
- Cold pressed so all the good stuff is preserved
- Smells great if you like coconut scents
- Has money back guarantee
Cons:
- Container is cheap plastic
- Smaller than expected
- A small percentage of users did not react well to coconut oil
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Best Anti-Oxidant: Pure Grapeseed Oil
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Another traditional carrier oil, grapeseed does tend to benefit from being combined with essential oils. On its own, however, it is an excellent option for oily skin.
I drink grape seed oil in capsules (food-grade) as a supplement and together with glutathione, it gives me super radiant skin. I also see other benefits especially when it comes to breast lumps but Philip will just tease me again for being a hippie. (Mail me if you are curious!)
Pros:
- Ideal to be used as a massage oil because the texture is silky, thin, and non-greasy
- Will not clog pores; anti-aging, moisturizing, rejuvenating
- Addresses acne, wrinkles, age spots, and dark circles under the eyes
- Cold pressed
- Has a money back guarantee; Maple Holistics is a good brand
Cons:
- None
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Best Moisturizing: Desert Essence Jojoba Oil
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The Desert Essence oil is multi-purpose. You can use it for just about any part of your body. I’m a big fan of jojoba oil because of an old friend who had this amazing flawless skin. I was complaining about her perfect skin genes but she said her secret was her beauty regimen which included jojoba oil.
I can’t tell you enough just how popular this product is. There are literally tons of rave reviews for it.
Pros:
- Odorless; perfect for sensitive skin
- Cold pressed so antioxidants are preserved
- Similar to almond oil, jojoba has a long list of skin benefits. These include addressing pimples, blackheads, and other skin blemishes.
- Makes your skin dewy, supple, and hydrated
- As a massage oil, it does not leave a greasy residue
- Low price
Cons:
- There is a tiny percentage of buyers who complain about a rancid smell. A bad batch, maybe?
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Best For Problematic Skin: Sweet Almond Oil AAA+
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Almond oil is a wonderful food for the skin. It is rich in Vitamins A, B, and E. It is anti-aging and rejuvenating. If you’ve got dark circles, crow’s feet, and other such problem areas in your face, almond oil is a great natural moisturizing oil.
Pros:
- Therapeutic grade; intended for use in body and face for beauty purposes
- Almond oil has many amazing benefits for the skin. Too long to mention here but for the face, it addresses psoriasis and eczema
- As a carrier massage oil, it has the added plus of having analgesic properties. This means it has the ability to reduce muscle pain and tension so that you feel instant relief
- Smells good to me (but this is subjective)
- Does not clog pores
- Low price
Cons:
- Bottle is not filled to the brim
- Leaky pump
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Best for Sore Muscles And Inflammation: Vamotto Ginger Oil (2 Pack)
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This is a massage oil that is extracted from ginger root. Ginger has a long tradition of being a medicinal plant that can address a multitude of health issues from digestion to the common cold. As a topical solution, ginger is able to diminish pain and is even said to be helpful for patients with chronic osteoarthritis.
If you’ve ever had a cup of hot ginger tea on a cold day, imagine that translating to a warm and spicy massage.
Pros:
- Made from ginger root extracts so it is VERY warming
- Great for people suffering from muscle and joint pain, arthritis, and other similar types of pain from inflammation
- Inspiring anecdotal of customers using it for neck, back, and leg pain
- Commonly used for lymphatic drainage massage
- Smells good; does not smell strong or offensive
- You’ll receive 2 bottles with one purchase
- Very responsive customer support
Cons:
- Package is all in Chinese; no English insert
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Best For Bulk Orders: Sacred Earth Botanicals Vegan
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Whether you want a truly vegan option or need massage oil in bulk, this massage cream by Massage Botanicals is the answer. Unlike the other massage oils on this list, this comes in cream form and would need some slight warming to get it into a truly liquid form. It melts very easily though and can melt in your hands like butter.
Pros:
- High quality product
- Certified vegan and cruelty free
- USDA organic oils and extracts
- It is fragrance-free, nut oil free, and gluten free
- If you just want to try it out first, it comes in a small refillable 236 ml tube; a little goes a long way!
- For professional massage therapists, you can buy the big tubs or even the 5 gallon size
- Doesn’t stain sheets
Cons:
- The clip to re-close the tube may not work well
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Gua Sha Specific: Endiglow Gua Sha Oil
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Out of all our oils on this list, the Endiglow is the only brand sold especially for gua sha, cupping, and bodywork. Its essential oil is lavender, which has soothing and relaxing properties.
Pros:
- It has lavender essential oil and grape seed oil. Both great stuff!
- This oil is already diluted so you don’t need to add anything
- It has worked well with users who have a history of sensitive skin
- You’ll like this if you’re a fan of mild lavender scents
Cons:
- Because it is made in China, it doesn’t have the obligatory product information we’d expect
- Dispenser is cheaply made
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To Sum Up
The oil used is a base or carrier. A carrier oil is a type of oil used to dilute the strength of essential oils to avoid irritation and other allergic reactions. It is called a carrier because it carries the essential oil onto the skin.
It can be used on its own or you can blend it with your choice of essential oils. If you decide to use essential oils, make sure they are therapeutic grade.
We have included five examples of oils that work well for Gua Sha. Do understand that when it comes to oil that is being applied to the skin, what works best varies from person to person. Take into consideration what has worked for you in the past. If you haven’t tried most of these oils, pick out your favorites from the list and give a couple a try. They’re inexpensive and if one of your picks doesn’t work out, you can always gift it to your sibling or a close friend.
Personally, the Maple Holistic’s grape seed oil was most suited for my skin and taste. CoCo is also awesome but I’m not a fan of coconut scents. See? Very petty, right? So you should give these oils a try and see what works best for you!
Even if you don’t do Gua Sha, these are excellent oils for moisturizing and giving your skin a level up.
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.