As part of the #NOWWellness Influencer Program, I received product samples and compensation from NOW® to thank me for my participation, but the product selection and all opinions are genuinely my own.
5-Minute Gua Sha Face Massage Tutorial
My obsession with gua sha face massage comes and goes, and right now I’m into it again. That’s the beauty of this ancient Chinese ritual – you can partake in it anywhere, at any time of day, whenever you have a few minutes to spare. All you need is a gua sha tool and some beauty oil to help it glide more easily – I love NOW® Solutions Marula Oil ($14.99) for this. There are many tutorials online but after years of trial and error I kind of developed my own thing, and I will share it with you today.
First of all, choose a gua sha tool that you like. There are many different opinions on which gua sha material is better, but if you want the most authentic experience, get yourself a bian stone. The second most popular material is green jade, which has a beautiful appearance and is believed to carry healing energy. But the most practical of them all is stainless steel. I like the weight of a smooth stainless steel tool and the cooling effect it provides, plus it’s very easy to sanitize and store between uses. Natural stone is porous and can be prone to breaking, but my steel gua sha scraper will probably outlive me.
GUA SHA FACE MASSAGE TUTORIAL:
1 // Now that you’ve chosen a tool, it’s time to use it! Begin by massaging some oil into the skin with your fingertips, saturating all of the areas you’re planning to massage so the tool can glide more easily. For your reference, I use two pumps of NOW® Solutions Marula Oil and that’s enough for my face and neck.
2 // With the longer edge of the tool, slowly swipe the cheeks in an upward, lifting motion for 20s on each side.
3 // Do the same on the forehead for about 20s.
4 // Relax your tongue and slowly swipe your jaw for 20s on each side, starting from the chin and moving upward along the jawline. On every swipe, when you reach the masseter muscle (the chewing muscles,) give it a gentle circular motion or two. I’m a chronic clencher so this particular move really hits the spot!
5 // Turn your gua sha scraper to the double notch side. First, gently swipe the brow bone, be sure not to apply too much pressure because the skin is very delicate in that area. Repeat on each side for 20s.
6 // With the double notch end, go back to the cheeks and gently swipe along the cheekbones, following the bone crevice from nose to temple for 20s on each side.
7 // Use the same double notch to gently swipe along the jawbone, following it from the chin toward the bottom of your ears, again 20s on each side.
8 // Finish the massage by swiping your neck with the long edge in a slow upward motion for another 20s. Don’t put too much pressure because the skin on your neck is very thin and delicate.
9 // Check out this reel I posted on Instagram to see the tutorial in action!
This simple gua sha ritual takes less than 5 minutes, it’s is easy to do and feels so relaxing! Also, marula oil makes the perfect medium for it: its chemical composition has just the right balance of slip and occlusives, leaving the skin looking soft, glowy, and moisturized without the greasy residue. At one point I used an expensive marula oil from Sephora, but switched to NOW® Solutions Marula Oil because it’s a lot more affordable and the quality is excellent. The former didn’t smell like anything, but my NOW® Solutions Marula Oil has a pleasant natural nutty aroma so I actually prefer it.
COUPON:
Don’t forget to use the coupon code GLAMORABLE for 20% off your purchase if you decide to try the Marula Oil, or any other beauty oils available at nowfoods.com. The code works on sale items, too – yay for extra savings! This is an exclusive coupon to thank you guys for choosing NOW®, I don’t earn commission if you use it. Enjoy! 🙂
Have you tried jade rolling or gua sha facial massage?
Disclaimer: For adult use only. Keep out of reach of children. Not for internal use. Avoid contact with eyes. Store tightly sealed in a cool dry place. If irritation, discomfort, or redness occurs, discontinue use and contact your physician.
