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To find the best gua sha stones, you first need to understand what gua sha really is. Pronounced “gwa-shah”, these smooth-edged skincare tools come from traditional Chinese medicine and are said to help improve blood circulation by gently sweeping them along the skin. Not to mention, they're also unmatched when it comes to reducing puffiness, as well as stimulating collagen and elastin production for firmer and healthier skin.
Some studies have even shown that gua sha can help ease muscle pain and migraines. Turn to TikTok, however, and you'll find plenty of anecdotal evidence for its sculpting capabilities. A simple search for “gua sha” will bring up 130K posts, with some users claiming it can lift and contour your features whilst reducing facial and jaw tension.
But how do gua sha stones work and do they actuallly live up to the hype? Well, the answer isn't as straightforward as you'd think. Similar to the likes of facial rollers, gua sha tools are typically made from jade quartz, rose quartz or other types of crystal. Some practitioners believe gua sha can break up ‘stagnant energy’, which is believed to cause inflammation. As a facial technique, however, gua sha stones can indeed aid lymphatic drainage and reduce blockages in your lymphatic system, which helps maintain a healthy balance of fluids throughout your body.
With so much misinformation out there, and a wealth of TikTokers claiming it's the best thing they've ever done for their skin, it can be hard to know what to think. Ahead, we cut through the noise by bringing you expert opinions from dermatologists and brand founders alike, as well as gua sha stones that are known and loved in the GLAMOUR office.
Best gua sha at a glance – our top picks:
- Best gua sha overall: Isamaya Beauty x Facegym Sculpt 02
- Best gua sha for face, neck and décolleté: Les Filles en Rouje Le Gua Sha Cornaline
- Best affordable gua sha: The Pro Co Store Obsidian Gua Sha Massage Stone
- Best premium gua sha: Joonbyrd Heartwarmer Body Gua Sha Tool
Skip to FAQs: How to use gua sha | How we tested gua sha | What are gua sha stones for? | Which gua sha stones are most effective?
Meet the experts:
- Katie Brindle, founder of Hayo'u.
- Melusine Tran, founder of ex-beauty e-tailer Kosame Beauty.
- Caroline Brooks, skincare expert and founder of The Glass House Salon & Spa.
- Saffron Hughes, makeup artist at FalseEyelashes.co.uk.
How to use gua sha, according to experts:
According to Caroline, there are several techniques that you can employ, depending on your goals:
- To contour your jawline, hold the stone at a 45-degree angle against the skin and move it from the chin towards the earlobe while applying gentle pressure.
- For lymphatic drainage, use the stone at a 0-to-15-degree angle against the skin, starting from the centre of the face and moving outwards towards the ears, lymph nodes and collarbones. This helps reduce inflammation, promotes circulation, and supports overall skin health.
- To de-puff your face, start from the centre of your face and then use the gua sha stone at a 90-degree angle to gently massage and push any excess fluids outwards towards the edges of your face.
While it's generally safe to use gua sha stones daily, Caroline recommends starting with once or twice a week to gauge your skin's reaction and adjust accordingly, especially if you have sensitive skin or active breakouts.
How we tested gua sha stones
Over the years, the GLAMOUR team – alongside a pool of expert freelance writers – has tested hundreds of gua sha tools from a variety of brands. We take these experiences and use them to inform our reviews; taking details like prices, materials and packaging into account. Where we can't test a tool in person, we consult our little black book of experts, as well as customer reviews, to bring you a truthful and reliable review nonetheless. You can find out more about how we test here.
Scroll down to discover the best gua sha stones out there…
Best gua sha overall
Why we love it: Miles easier to clean and take care of than jade or rose quartz, this ergonomic stainless steel gua sha can be used on the face, neck, body, hairline or scalp. Plus, the cleverly sculpted handhole makes it incredibly easy to use.
Shop all the best gua sha tools with our Selfridges discount codes.
Best gua sha for face, neck and décolleté
Why we love it: Depuff, brighten and stimulate blood flow with this fiery gua sha from Les Filles en Rouje. Made with high-quality natural volcanic carnelian stone – which is known for its healing properties and was particularly adored during the Middle Ages – it's said to help drain the skin of toxins.
Best affordable gua sha
Why we love it: Derived from volcanic glass, this gua sha facial tool offers an affordable way of keeping your skin firm and more receptive to your favourite moisturisers, facial oils and serums. It's also one of the most affordable option out there, which definitely scores some points in our book.
Best premium gua sha
Why we love it: Recently launched and already taking the beauty world by storm, Dr Alexis Granite's Joonbyrd aims to bring joy to your daily rituals. This gua sha does just that, thanks to its clever thermochromic silicone grip that syncs to your body's temperature, changing colour as tension is released. Use all over your body to smooth, sculpt and instil a sense of calm and wellbeing.
Buy your favourite gua sha stones for less with these SpaceNK discount codes.
Best gua sha facial comb
Why we love it: This gua sha massage tool is made of bian stone, which is rich in over 40 minerals known for their antioxidant and skin-loving properties. Each product contains both a smooth edge and unique scraping edges to give you all the benefits of gua sha, from relaxed facial muscles to improved blood circulation.
Bestselling gua sha tool on Amazon
Why we love it: With over 9,000 reviews and a 4.5 star rating, this gua sha tool is a bestseller on Amazon. It's also handcrafted from 100% authentic jade stone from Salvador City in Brazil and comes with its own protective case for when you're travelling.
Best gua sha for facial contouring
Why we love it: Made from calming amethyst, this facial gua sha brings a modern approach to an ancient Chinese tradition. Perfect for lifting and contouring your face, particularly around the cheeks, jaw and the under-eye area. A solid option for beginners.
Best gua sha for lymphatic drainage
Why we love it: If you’re on the hunt for an affordable gua sha, then By Beauty Bay’s heart-shaped jade gua sha could be the perfect option for you. It's made from 100% naturally sourced jade to help reduce facial tension, aid lymphatic drainage and increase the absorption of your favourite skincare products, whether that be a serum or facial oil.
Save when you shop for the best gua sha stones with these Beauty Bay discount codes.
Best gua sha for travelling
Why we love it: Holidermie is a French brand that's known for its hard-working facial tools, so it comes as no surprise to see a rose quartz gua sha in their collection. We love that you can pop this in the fridge before use for more visible skin-tightening effects, and it even comes with a handy storage pouch for safekeeping while travelling.
Best gua sha for sculpting
Why we love it: This soothing rose quartz gua sha tool is unique with its heart-shaped cut, and the stone itself is loved for its soothing, sculpting and de-puffing properties. Simply massage onto the face to encourage circulation and blood flow.
Best gua sha for beginners
Why we love it: This gua sha helps to revive tired skin for a calming pick-me-up in the morning or evening. The shape makes it a great option for massaging any tension-filled areas around the cheekbones and jawline and plumping the skin, helps it better absorb all your favourite face oils and moisturisers, as well as hydrating and brightening serums.
Best natural jade gua sha
Why we love it: Rich in minerals that are great for your body and skin, this gua sha is made from natural jade which – if you're unsure on how to tell – will show a white light through it if you hold a torch against it.
Best gua sha for dark circles
Why we love it: This bestseller is great for revitalising tired skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, dark circles and eye bags. After all, who doesn't love a face massage that leaves your skin feeling as new as ever?
Save when you shop for the best gua sha with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best gua sha wand
Why we love it: Sometimes, a simple gua sha doesn't quite hit the spot – literally. This nephrite jade wand is perfect for targeting specific areas of the face, especially around the eyes and lips, with accuracy and ease. This is particularly useful if you have acne-prone skin, as you can easily avoid snagging any painful breakouts.
Best jade gua sha and roller set
Why we love it: Use facial rolling tool to cool and soothe, and the gua sha afterwards to sculpt and define. The perfect gift set for someone you love, or yourself, at just under £10 you'll struggle to find anything we dislike about this product.
What are gua sha stones for?
According to skincare expert and found of The Glass House Salon & Spa Caroline Brooks, gua sha stones are used to perform facial massages that help promote circulation, boost lymphatic drainage and relax facial muscle tension on all skin types. “This technique can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve skin texture and tone, and enhance overall complexion,” she shares.
Meanwhile, Katie Brindle, founder of Hayo'u, shares that incorporating gua sha techniques into your daily routine can help stimulate collagen production, which in turn reduces the appearance of fine lines and boosts skin elasticity with minimal side effects. Doing so is relatively easy too – all you need to do is apply your gua sha in long strokes across your facial contours while applying a bit of pressure (but not too much).
By forcing you to concentrate and take your time, gua sha is also believed to be a great form of grounding self-care. “A gua sha is a staple step in my evening routine. It’s perfect for unwinding and de-stressing my skin through daily use,” explains Melusine Tran, founder of ex-beauty e-tailer Kosame Beauty.
Which gua sha stones are most effective?
This all depends on the kind of results you’re looking for. “Rose quartz is better known for its plumping and rejuvenating benefits,” explains makeup artist Saffron Hughes, “It is also a higher quality stone that stays cool during use. Whereas Jade is a softer stone and can encounter wear and tear with repeated use.”
“Generally, you'll want to avoid low-quality stones that may break and harm your skin,” says Caroline. “Stones that have a rough or uneven surface that may also cause irritation.”
Feeling inspired to upgrade your skincare routine? Check out our guides for the best face masks, night creams, moisturisers for dry skin, gradual tanner, sun cream, eye creams, cleansing bars, hyaluronic acid serum and vitamin C serums.
For more shoppable makeup, skincare and wellness content from Glamour UK Contributor Humeara Mohamed, follow her on Instagram @humeara.
