Best Facial Oils for Gua Sha

10 gua sha facial oils to enhance your skincare routine

Last year, I decided to add gua sha to my skincare routine—and judging by all the TikTok tutorials, it looks like I’m not the only one!

Gua Sha, an ancient Chinese beauty technique, is a type of facial massage that touts many benefits for the skin. Benefits of gua sha include improving circulation, encouraging lymphatic drainage, and sculpting and lifting features.

My Personal Experience with Gua Sha

I found my skin was looking so dull during the cold months – dehydrated, tired and just lacklustre. So I turned to gua sha facial massage to my skincare routine to give it a boost! Now I do it 2-3 times a week as part of my evening skincare routine and it’s made such a difference in the overall tone, texture, and hydration of my skin!

Some of the changes I’ve noticed are firmer skin with a glowier and more hydrdated complexion. It’s a great addition to my night time routine relaxes for bed.

I’m sharing some of my personal favourite (and best) gua sha oils that will help make the most of your facial massage. In addition to the benefits of the massage technique itself, these facial oils are readily absorbed into the skin and can be optimized for to target your specific skin concerns based on your skin type.

What is Gua Sha?

TLDR: Before I jump into the list of best face oils for gua sha, here’s a little overview and history of gua sha facial massage.

Gua Sha is a traditional Eastern Asian practice that utilizes a smooth edged tool along with a facial oil to stroke the skin. This practice stimulates circulation and enhance complexion, as well as relaxes the mind.

What kind of Gua Sha Tool Should I buy?

Gua Sha stones or tools typically made from jade, rose quartz and other semi-precious stones. These stones are carved into shapes designed to complement the contours of the face as you pass over the skin with them.

Depending on what the tool is made from – jade, rose quartz etc – which have supposed have different healing properties. Though personally I haven’t noticed a difference in effectiveness when it comes to the material of the gua sha tool.

I would say you might need to test out a few shapes to see what might work best for you. Some gua sha stone are more rounded or edged and this really just comes down to preference and what feels comfortable on your skin.

Gua Sha Facial Massage

When doing your gua sha massage, the idea is to stroke the skin with a firm, but gentle upward and downward motion to increase circulation, help with lymphatic drainage and massage the skin.

The importance of using facial oil when doing Gua Sha

Like any other massage, it’s important to pair your gua sha routine with a facial oil to help lubricate and protect your skin. This will allow your gua sha tool can glide across the skin smoothly without damaging your skin barrier.

In addition, the gliding motion of the gua sha also helps the skin absorb all the goodness of the skincare oil you’re using, hydrating skin and nourishing it. So it’s important to find the best facial oil that’s suitable for your skin type!

How to Use Facial Oil with Gua Sha

Using facial oil with gua sha is easy and can enhance the benefits of your practice. Here’s how to do it:

1. Apply a Few Drops of Facial Oil: Before starting your gua sha massage, apply a few drops of hydrating facial oil to your skin. This will help the tool to glide smoothly and prevent any pulling or tugging on the skin.
2. Warm Up Your Skin: Gently warm up your skin by massaging it with your fingertips or a warm washcloth. This will help to increase blood flow and prepare your skin for the gua sha massage.
3. Use Gentle Strokes: Hold the gua sha tool at a 45-degree angle and use gentle, smooth strokes to massage your skin. Focus on areas of tension or concern, such as the forehead, cheeks, and neck.
4. Use Upward and Outward Strokes: Always use upward and outward strokes when massaging your skin with the gua sha tool. This will help to lift and firm the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
5. Be Gentle: Remember to be gentle when using the gua sha tool, especially around delicate areas such as the eyes and mouth. This will prevent any potential damage to your skin barrier.

Benefits of gua sha:

Here’s a summary of the benefits from gua sha massage for your face:

• Encourages circulation for glowing skin
• Gua Sha stimulates lymphatic drainage to eliminate puffiness
• Relieves tension and flushes toxins
• Smooths fine lines and wrinkles
• Promotes skin elasticity by stimulating collagen production
• Relaxation and increased sense of calm

How to choose the right oil for Gua Sha?

The best facial oils for gua sha will be lightweight, non comedogenic, and will provide nourishment to your skin.

What are some good common oils for gua sha massage?

• rosehip oil
• argan oil
• grapeseed oil
• jojoba oil
• sweet almond oil
• marula oil

While these are great, now there are so many facial oils with a blend of ingredients to help you target your specific skin concerns, beyond just providing slip for your gua sha.

In this beauty roundup, I’m sharing my favourite gua sha oils based on your skin type and the concerns you want to target most.

How to choose the right oil for your Gua Sha routine – the quick list
Keep scrolling for a deep dive into each below.

• Best facial oil for gua sha newbies: 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil, The Ordinary
• Overall best facial oil for gua sha: Collagen Superfusion Firming & Plumping Facial Oil, Charlotte Tilbury
• Best facial oil for dry skin: Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Oil, Youth to the People
• Best facial oil for sensitive skin: 100% Pure Argan Oil, Josie Maran
• Best gua sha facial oil for acne-prone skin: Meltdown Oil for Acne Prone Skin, Blume
• Best gua sha oil for oily skin: 100% Sugarcane Squalane Oil, Biossance
• Best gua sha oil for brighter skin: Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil, Biossance
• Best gua sha oil for aging skin: Phoenix Rosehip Anti-Aging Face Oil, Herbivore
• Best facial oil to reduce redness & puffiness: Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate, Kiehl’s
• Best facial oil to splurge on: The Renewal Oil, Le Mer
• Best for morning gua sha: C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil, Sunday Riley
• Best for evening gua sha: Heavenly Sixteen All-In-One Face Oil, Summer Fridays
• Best for dark spots and pigmentation: Wild Rose Brightening Absolute Oil, Korres

Best Facial Oil for Gua Sha Newbies

The Ordinary (budget friendly option)
100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil

Simple, affordable and a no fuss, the Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil is a great option to start with if you’re new to gua sha.

I love that this facial oil sustainably sourced, organic, cold-pressed rose hip seed oil is the perfect consistency for the purpose of gua sha.

Rosehip oil has many skincare benefits including hydrating and protecting the skin, fighting free radical damage, and reducing wrinkles.

It also contains vitamins and antioxidants rejuvenate the skin to restore elasticity, help to correct dark spots, and reduce the appearance of scars.

This facial oil feels lightweight to wear. I love how it leaves my skin with a soft glow and helps to calm irritated skin.

I love this affordable option for gua sha oils. I find it’s generally suitable for all skin types and its a great oil for gua sha massage if you’re just starting out.

Overall Best Facial Oil for Gua Sha 

Charlotte Tilbury
Collagen Superfusion Firming & Plumping Facial Oil

My current and personal favourite facial oil for massage is Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Superfusion Firming & Plumping Facial Oil. This is a multi tasking skincare oil hydrates, firms and plumps all in one.

Though this one a little bit on the pricier side, but it’s totally worth it! It’s packed with plant derived collagen and vitamins A & E and and is sure to give your skin a gorgeous glow.

If you’re unsure, they have a mini size for you to try out. But trust me once you have the mini you’ll want the full size, I know I did!

Insider tip – use it as a base under your make up for plump looking skin and flawless foundation coverage!

Best Gua Sha Facial Oils and Serums for Dry Skin

Youth To The People
Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Oil

The Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Oil is a great facial oil for dry skin.

My dry skin loves this oil in winter when the air is extra arid. Your dry skin will thank you with it’s fast absorbing formula to deliver hydration quickly. Which makes it also great for layering for both makeup and skincare!

It’s also packed with antioxidant properties hydrate dry skin and improve the appearance of skin tone and texture.

Farmacy
Honey Grail Ultra-Hydrating Face Oil

The Farmacy Honey Grail Ultra-Hydrating Face Oil is another great option for dry skin. It has a rich texture with light honey scent that soothes chapped skin and restores the skin barrier.

I find this fast-absorbing, noncomedogenic face oil a great for gua sha. It delivers intense hydration while being packed with it’s packed with antioxidants, and vitamins.

With honey, sea buckthorn oil, and a 5 flower oil blend, it works to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve radiance and uneven texture.

Best Gua Sha Facial Oils for Combination Skin

Herbivore
Orchid Antioxidant Beauty Face Oil

The Herbivore Orchid Antioxidant Beauty Face Oil is one of my favourite facial oils for gua sha. It’s rich in vitamins and fatty acids to help defends against free radicals to hydrate and protect your skin.

I love this luxe oil and it’s a great gua sha facial oil option for combination skin. It hydrating, but lightweight. With a diverse ingredient line up that includes a blend of orchid extract, jasmine sambac, and Japanese camellia flower oil.

Together they work to defend against free radicals, support natural elasticity, and protect against premature aging with beneficial vitamins and fatty acids, such as omega 3 and 6.

Best Gua Sha Facial Oils and Serums for Brighter Skin

Biossance
Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil

When it comes to face oils for gua sha, the Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil is all time my favourites.

It’s been part of my skin care routine long before I even started facial massage (I’ve mention a number of times on the blog: here and here!), but with it’s oil base, it’s makes a great facial oil for gua sha as well.

The Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil is hydrating vitamin C oil that moisturizes with sustainable squalane. The Vitamin C brightens and the squalane hydrates giving skin a radiant glow. And yes, this one is on the pricey side and yes again, totally worth it!

Best Gua Sha Facial Oils and Serums for Anti Aging

Herbivore
Phoenix Rosehip Anti-Aging Face Oil

With luxe blend of luxe botanical oils and CoQ10, the Herbivore Phoenix Rosehip Anti-Aging Face Oil is great for skin that need extra moisture and nourishment.

I love how this blend absorbs easily and provides my skin with the moisture, vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants it needs.

It’s also been great for addressing concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles, dryness, and loss of firmness and elasticity.

Best Gua Sha Facial Oils and Serums for Sensitive Skin

Josie Maran
100 Percent Pure Argan Oil

If you have sensitive skin, Josie Maran’s 100 percent Pure Argan Oil is a great face oil for gua sha.

This multitasking oil contains just one ingredient in its most pure and potent form. And because it’s pure you don’t want to worry about sensitivities from other ingredients.

Pro tip: This argan oil can be used on your hair, hands and nails too! So you can get multi use out of this oil!

Best Gua Sha Facial Oils and Serums for Puffiness and Redness

Kiehl’s
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate

The Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate is face oil for gua sha for those with sensitive skin that’s red or irritated.

When I get skin sensitivities or irritation and I turn to the Kiehl’s
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate. It’s great for relieving discomfort while calming and soothing my skin, as well as improving my skin’s barrier and reducing visible redness.

The cannabis sativa seed oil and green oregano oil work together to provide powerful benefits for problem skin. I’ve noticed a significant improvement in the overall health and appearance of my skin since using this serum!

Not only has it been great for addressing skin irritations, but it also helps with blemishes and uneven skin tone.

Best Gua Sha Facial Oils and Serums for Oily Skin

 Blume
Meltdown Oil for Acne Prone Skin

During the summer my skin, I was struggling with oily skin and acne and the Blume Meltdown Oil for Acne Prone Skin became my go-to!

It helped to balance my skin’s oil production and clear up my blemishes while keeping my skin hydrated and nourished.

I never thought a skincare oil would be a solution for oily/acne skin, but this one changed my mind.

Biossance
Sugarcane Squalane Oil

Quick-absorbing, weightless, and hydrating, the Biossance Sugarcane Squalane Oil is a multipurpose oil that’s perfect for gua-sha on oily skin.

I love the slip-like and weightless texture that absorbs quickly and feels weightless on the skin. This lightweight skincare oil is the perfect consistency for gua-sha on oily skin.

The combination of sugarcane and squalane works wonders for reducing the appearance of blemishes, and the plant-derived squalane acts as a natural moisturizer to hydrate skin.

It’s a multipurpose oil that I’ve used for both in the morning and night, and it has quickly become a staple in my skincare routine!

Best facial oils to splurge on 

Le Mer
The Renewal Oil

Okay skincare junkies, this one is for you. The Le Mer Renewal Oil is a luxe multi-tasking skincare oil and checked off all the boxes.

It provides hydration, improves skin firmness, and help soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It also doesn’t cause breakouts, locks in moisture, and skin feels amazing from it.

It’s definitely a splurge purchase, but the reviews says it’s worth it!

UBeauty
The SUPER Intensive Face Oil

I have a soft spot for luxury skincare, so the UBeauty The SUPER Intensive Face Oil needed to be on this list as well.

Meet the facial oil that’s basically a tall glass of water for your skin. With its unique oil-hydrator blend, it doesn’t just sit on the surface—it dives deep, mimicking your skin’s natural lipids to strengthen its barrier.

Hyaluronic acid floods your skin with moisture, while antioxidants fight off visible signs of stress and aging. Think smoother, brighter, and way more resilient skin that looks like it’s had a week at the spa. Say goodbye to dry, tired-looking skin and hello to hydration that lasts all day.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Gua Sha Practice

Here are some personal tips to help you get the most out of your gua sha practice:

1. Use a High-Quality Gua Sha Tool: Invest in a high-quality gua sha tool that is made from a smooth, gentle material such as jade or rose quartz. This ensures a better experience and more effective results.
2. Use a Facial Oil or Serum: Using a hydrating facial oil or serum with your gua sha practice can help to nourish and protect the skin, while also enhancing the benefits of the massage. Choose one that suits your skin type and concerns.
3. Be Consistent: Consistency is key when it comes to gua sha. Try to practice at least 2-3 times per week, and ideally every day for optimal results. Regular practice will help you see the best benefits.
4. Focus on Areas of Tension: Pay attention to areas of tension or concern, such as the forehead, cheeks, and neck. Use gentle, smooth strokes to massage these areas and help to release tension.
5. Don’t Press Too Hard: Remember to be gentle when using the gua sha tool, and avoid pressing too hard on the skin. This can cause bruising or discomfort, and may even lead to broken capillaries. Gentle pressure is more effective and safer for your skin.

By following these tips and using the right facial oils, you can enhance your gua sha practice and achieve a healthy, glowing complexion.

Have any favourite gua sha facial oils that you love?
Let me know in the comments below!

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last reviewed: 12th October 2024; first published 2022