Nowadays, natural beauty and care trends are gaining more and more attention every day. Gua Sha stone, which is at the forefront of these trends, offers positive effects on both skin health and our general mood. Based on traditional Chinese medicine, this facial massage stone provides relaxation while adding vitality to your skin. So, what is Gua Sha stone, how is it used and what are its benefits? In this article, you will both get to know this natural beauty tool closely and learn effective usage tips.
What is a Gua Sha Stone?
Gua Sha stone is a care tool used for face and body massage, usually made from natural stones (such as jade, rose quartz, obsidian). First used in Chinese medicine, this stone was developed to balance the flow of energy and increase blood circulation.
Gua Sha can be literally translated as “scraping out toxins.” But fear not! Its modern usage offers a very gentle and relaxing experience. Facial massage stones are perfect for reducing tension on the skin while adding natural radiance. These stones are also designed in different shapes for both the face and the body, and each can be used in a different way for different areas.
How to Use Gua Sha Stone?
Before you start using the Gua Sha stone, you need to make sure your skin is clean and ready. This will allow the stone to glide more easily on your skin and the massage to be more effective. Here is the step-by-step use of the Gua Sha stone:
1. Cleanse and Moisturize Your Skin:
Before the massage, clean your face to remove makeup and dirt. Then apply a serum or moisturizer to moisturize your skin. You can increase the slipperiness of your skin by using a natural oil. Products such as grape seed oil or jojoba oil both facilitate the massage and care for your skin.
2. Hold the Gua Sha Stone at the Right Angle:
You should hold the Gua Sha stone at an angle of about 15 degrees to your skin. Too steep an angle can irritate your skin during the massage, so be careful to use the wide surface of the stone parallel to the skin.
3. Apply with Slow and Smooth Movements:
Move the stone slowly over your skin. It is important to move from the inside out, that is, from the center of your face towards the ears. For example:
- Straight upward movements for the forehead area,
- For the cheeks, slide from the edge of the nose under the cheekbone towards the ears,
- For the jaw line, movements from the chin towards the earlobe may be preferred.
4. Pay Attention to the Neck and Chin Area:
In neck massage, you can increase blood circulation by moving the stone from bottom to top. In the jaw line, you can reduce tension by sliding the stone towards the ears with light pressure.
5. Avoid Over-Pressure:
When using the Gua Sha stone, apply gentle but controlled pressure. You should not feel any pain during the massage; otherwise, reduce the pressure. The aim is to soothe and renew your skin, not to damage it.
Gua Sha Stone Benefits
Gua Sha stone offers many benefits for skin and overall health. Here are the prominent benefits of this wonderful facial massage stone:
- Increases Blood Circulation: Gua Sha massage accelerates blood circulation by applying light pressure to your skin. This gives your skin a healthier and more vibrant appearance.
- Reduces Swelling and Edema: Gua Sha stone is very effective in getting rid of swelling, especially in the morning. It helps reduce swelling by moving excess fluid on the face.
- Relieves Muscle Tension: The stress of daily life can create tension in the facial muscles. Regular massage with Gua Sha stones relaxes your face by reducing this tension.
- Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles: With regular use, Gua Sha stones can improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines. But remember, these effects require regular use and patience.
- Provides Spiritual Relaxation: The natural oils used during the massage and the cooling effect of the stone relax not only your skin but also your mind. The Gua Sha stone is a great tool to relieve the stress of the day.
- Gives a Natural Shine: Gua Sha massage accelerates the circulation under the skin and gives a natural shine to your face. Your skin looks more vibrant and healthy.
Gua Sha stones can be a great addition to your daily care routine, providing both physical and mental relaxation. When used correctly, they can provide many long-term benefits to your skin.
How to Incorporate Gua Sha Stones into Your Daily Routine
You can use it in two different ways: morning and evening. In the morning, you can massage it with light touches to wake up your skin and reduce puffiness. In the evening, you can apply it for a bit longer to relieve the stress of the day and support skin renewal.
Essential oils that you will add to your moisturizer provide great support in this process. For example, rose oil moisturizes your skin, while lavender oil relieves you of the tiredness of the day with its relaxing effect. Add a few drops of essential oil to your moisturizer or a fixed oil and apply it to your skin and use your Gua Sha stone with light pressure. This both deepens the care of your skin and increases the effect of the massage.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Gua Sha Stone
When buying a Gua Sha stone, it is important to pay attention to the material and quality of the stone. Stones are usually made from natural materials, such as jade or rose quartz. Both stones create different sensations on the skin; jade offers a cooling effect, while rose quartz provides a softer energy. Therefore, you can choose a stone that suits your needs.
However, you should be careful of fakes. The surface of the Gua Sha stone should be smooth and the color of the stone should look natural. It is also important to buy from a reliable seller to understand the quality of the stone. The natural facial massage stones offered by Mana Botanicals offer a reliable option in this regard.
Natural Beauty with Natural Oils and Gua Sha Stone
Essential oils are a great complement to enhance the effects of the Gua Sha stone on the skin. Relaxing oils like lavender oil reduce stress during the massage, while invigorating oils like bergamot oil energize your skin. By using the stone with these oils during the application, you can both care for your skin and benefit from the relaxing effects of aromatherapy.
Vanilla Smile Facial Massage Oil by Mana Botanicals is prepared with the safest natural oils for this purpose, suitable for all skin types. These two products are also offered together as a Facial Massage Set so that you can create a beauty ritual that is good not only for your skin but also for your soul by using your Gua Sha stone with Vanilla Smile Facial Oil . This natural combination will make your skin care routine both enjoyable and effective.