If you’ve seen the viral before-and-after gua sha routines on social media, then it’s hard to deny the transformative power of these little stones. There’s more to it than following a specific routine—it’s all in the stone and the ancient practice behind it. “Gua sha is a traditional Chinese medicine practice using a tool, like a stone, to relieve tension from water retention, muscle tightness, or other congestion,” explains doctorate of acupuncturist and practitioner of Chinese medicine Giselle Wasfie.
While gua sha can be used all over the body, it’s particularly beneficial for the face. The sometimes cooling, soothing tool boosts lymphatic drainage, reducing facial puffiness and inflammation, and can even stimulate collagen production for firmer skin. Plus, it’s a wonderful self-care ritual.
We spent hours testing the best gua sha tools, assessing their ease of use, effectiveness, and quality. We even got Wasfie’s thoughts on a few. Rest assured that many of our top picks are acupuncturist-designed, specifically shaped to target key areas of the face for optimal lymphatic drainage.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Best Overall, Runner Up:
Best Budget:
Best Stainless Steel:
Best Rose Quartz:
Best Splurge:
Best Anti-Aging:
What We Like
Easy to hold and gently drag across the face
Works for all areas of the face
Made a big difference in toning
What to Consider
May shatter easily if dropped
Shape: Round/pointed | Material: Bian stone
Crafted by aesthetician Britta Plug, who’s well-known for her online gua sha demos, this pick is ergonomic and designed to fit the curves of the face. It has four sides including one with a combed edge for a deeper massage than your standard, smooth edge. Plus, unlike the standard rose quartz and jade options, this tool is made of Bian stone, which is composed of more than 40 healing minerals (and has a very sophisticated black hue). After using this gua sha consistently, we started to take notice of how toned and sculpted our face looked, and we’ve been recommending it to family and friends ever since.
What We Like
Works for all areas of the face
Durable stainless steel material
Hypoallergenic
What to Consider
Stainless steel doesn’t glide quite as smoothly as stone options
Shape: Scalloped | Material: Stainless steel
The FaceGym Multi-Sculpt High-Performance Gua Sha stands out for its unique shape. Its distinct sides target multiple skin concerns, helping to soften fine lines, contour facial curves, reduce muscle tension, and more. We loved that this product, made with hypoallergenic, medical-grade stainless steel, felt really cooling on the skin throughout each gua sha session. Another pro: You don’t have to worry about it breaking because it’s so strong and solid.
What We Like
Affordable option made of real jade
Aids lymphatic drainage with classic gua sha shape
Feels cooling when stored in refrigerator
What to Consider
May break easily
Shape: Heart-shaped | Material: Jade
Interested in trying gua sha but just don’t want to shell out the big bucks on a tool? This is a top-tier affordable alternative. It’s made of real jade (the kind used in popular jade rollers) and boasts a similarly effective and easy-to-use shape as its much more expensive counterparts. After testing this gua sha out, we didn’t notice a huge difference in the way that our skin looked, but we did notice that our skin felt better. After keeping it in the fridge, it provided a really nice, cooling and soothing effect during each use.
What We Like
Super hygienic and durable
Glides on the skin beautifully
Decreases puffiness and provides a tightening effect
What to Consider
Feels a bit sharp
Shape: Heart-shaped | Material: Stainless steel
There’s a lot to love when it comes to gua sha tools made out of stainless steel. First of all, they are nonporous and won’t trap and transfer bacteria onto your skin. Second, they are basically unbreakable and are super sturdy, unlike other gua shas made of real stone. We noticed significant short-term results after testing this pick from Kitsch, including decreased puffiness, lifting, and tightening, too. We loved how easy this gua sha tool was to clean, and that the stainless steel makes it look fancy. However, the bottom edge of the tool feels a bit sharp on the skin so be sure to use lots of face oil or serum for added slip.
Best Rose Quartz
Pink Moon Gua Sha Facial Tool
What We Like
Made from real rose quartz
Easy to use and comfortable on the skin
Aids lymphatic drainage and relieves congestion
What to Consider
Not widely available
Shape: Heart-shaped | Material: Rose quartz
As a nod to her Chinese heritage, Pink Moon's founder Lin Chen created this beautiful rose quartz gua sha tool to help with lymphatic drainage. It also works to decrease puffiness in the face, promote elasticity, and offer a really nice massage for your face muscles, too. The tool was easy to incorporate into our morning routine. It felt nice when we glided it along our face with facial oil, and we noticed that it helped our eye area depuff faster. While we didn't notice any major long-term results, it may have helped to alleviate congestion symptoms from a seasonal cold. Our tester would wake up with pressure in her sinuses, but after using the Pink Moon Rose Quartz Gua Sha, she felt less pressure due to the lymphatic massage.
What We Like
Made with real jade in traditional gua sha shape
Combats overnight puffiness
Ridges help deliver lymphatic drainage massage
What to Consider
Some reviewers note it breaks easily
Shape: Heart-shaped | Material: Jade
This pick from Skin Gym is shaped like a traditional gua sha, making it pretty easy to figure out which sides of the tool to use where. Use it before bedtime to help you chill out, both physically, mentally, and spiritually, too. This tool depuffed our cheeks but we didn’t notice a huge difference in terms of it sculpting our jawline. Unlike some of the other gua sha tools on this list (made with stainless steel), this pick might chip or break if you drop it on the ground, so be careful.
What We Like
Antibacterial
Made with unbreakable stainless steel
Cooling and depuffing
What to Consider
It scratches easily
Shape: Heart-shaped | Material: Stainless steel
If you suffer from breakouts, give this stainless steel option a try. Unlike gua sha tools made from quartz or jade—which must be washed with warm soapy water after each use—this nonporous metal prevents bacteria buildup that can potentially pass onto your skin. We loved storing it in the fridge for the added cooling benefits, and noticed it reduced puffiness around the eye area and congestion buildup around the sinuses. While it didn’t sculpt our face a ton, we did feel like it helped skin appear more youthful with an added circulation boost. Just keep in mind that if you are acne-prone, make sure you are using noncomedogenic oils while swiping your gua sha across your face, and always wash your gua sha post-use.
What We Like
Made from mineral-rich bian stone
Promotes circulation and smooth skin
Can be used on body and face
What to Consider
May break if dropped
Can cause breakouts if not washed properly
Shape: Rounded with point and ridges | Material: Bian stone
This gua sha tool is made from a chunk of bian shi, a micro-crystalline stone containing upwards of 30 minerals (just bear in mind it might break if you drop it on hard surfaces). The size and shape are thoughtfully designed for massaging both the face and body, promoting circulation, helping to depuff swollen areas, and smoothing the skin. Although this tool felt a little large for the face, we noticed a huge difference in how snatched our jawline looked after continued use.
What We Like
Can be used on face and scalp
Promotes hair growth
Helps depuff face
What to Consider
Not widely available
Shape: Dual points with comb | Material: Jade
This is a really unique gua sha shape that works to target both your face and scalp. We loved how the super high-quality stone fit into our hand without slipping. After consistent use, our face felt less puffy and lighter. We also loved how you can massage your scalp using this tool. Scalp massage has been proven to promote hair growth, so this might be a great option if you’re concerned about hair loss and need an extra boost.
Best Anti-Aging
Sisley Paris Ginkgo Gua Sha
What We Like
Helps target the signs of aging
Made from cooling zamac
Ergonomic design
What to Consider
Doesn’t feel as smooth as stone options
Shape: Ginkgo | Material: Zamac
After slathering on a layer of youth-boosting serum or oil, use the smooth edge of this elegant ginkgo-shaped gua sha to drain lymph fluid, depuff, and lift the face. Then use the curved edge to sculpt the contours of your jaw, brow, and cheekbones, and the notched edge to massage and stimulate fine lines. The tool’s spherical tip targets areas of muscle tension or fascia tightness, giving the face a softer, more relaxed—and perhaps more youthful—appearance. We also love that it’s made from zamac, a zinc-based alloy that’s naturally cooling.
What We Like
Red-light therapy for healing and anti-aging
Heated to open pores and aid product absorption
Sonic vibration to boost circulation
What to Consider
Battery can break
Shape: Curved | Material: Stainless steel
Tech-lovers, this facial massager is for you. It combines a curved stainless steel gua sha and supercharges its massaging effects with the addition of red-light therapy to boost collagen and reduce hyperpigmentation. Sonic vibration increases circulation while heat aids in product absorption. Use it first thing in the morning to tackle unwanted puffiness and last thing at night to relax your facial muscles before bed.
What We Like
Depuffs and reduced inflammation with cold therapy
Easy to hold and use
Made from antibacterial stainless steel
What to Consider
May require a tutorial for best results
Shape: Curved sticks | Material: Stainless steel
If you’ve heard about the benefits of cryotherapy for the face (or a cryofacial)—reduced inflammation and increased collagen production to name two—and you’re eager to try it yourself, get this pair of cooling gua sha sticks from Babor. They’re made from stainless steel with a nontoxic cooling gel in the center and will retain an icy temperature as you glide them over your warm skin. The gua sha ends are designed to hug the curves of your face while you massage, contributing to a lifted and chiseled finished result. No wonder so many facialists are fans. Granted, there is a bit of a learning curve with these, but if you scan the QR code inside the box you’ll find tutorials to help you perfect this at-home treatment.
What to Look for in a Gua Sha Tool
- Shape: Gua sha tools come in a variety of shapes—but all are fairly thin and come with curved edges. Beginners might find the classic heart shape easiest to manipulate. Those with more experience should consider a gua sha tool that has a variety of angles and ridges so you can use it on various parts of the face like under the eyes, cheek bones, jawline, and neck.
- Material: Although shape is more of a factor in choosing your gua sha tool, material is also worth considering. Rose quartz and jade are the smoothest-feeling options, but they may cause breakouts if you don’t wash them thoroughly after each use due to their porous quality. Gua shas made from stainless steel or other metals are naturally antibacterial and have the added benefit of retaining heat or cold longer. The only downside is that they may feel a little rougher on the skin, so use plenty of oil for slip.
- Additional Features: While traditional gua sha tools work great, those with additional features may appeal if you’re looking to amp up your skincare routine. Try unconventional shapes that target the scalp or deep pressure points, or opt for a high-tech gadget that also offers benefits like red light therapy.
FAQ
How do you use a gua sha tool?
Ideally, Wasfie advises making gua sha a five-minute ritual as part of your morning skincare routine, along with washing your face and putting on sunscreen. Apply a little serum or face oil so that the tool glides more smoothly, then stroke or gently scrape it against the skin in small strokes across your face, moving down toward the neck to promote drainage, and then upward on your forehead for a lifting effect.
What shape gua sha tool should I use?
There are pointed, heart shaped, and scalloped gua sha tools. Gua sha tools typically have different shaped and textured sides to be used on different spots. Heart shaped is ideal for targeting the area around the eyes and mouth, which can be more difficult to reach. Pointed and scalloped gua sha tools can be very effective on specific pressure points.
How long does it take to see results from a gua sha tool?
Because gua sha tools are helping to boost circulation, you can see results immediately after one session. In line with Eastern medicine, a holistic approach to facial sculpting means incorporating gua sha practices into your daily routine.
How do you clean a gua sha tool?
Like any beauty tool, such as makeup brushes, you will want to clean it regularly—soap and water will get the job done, or a quick spritz of alcohol. Just be forewarned that these do get slippery when wet so we suggest laying it out on a towel when washing, so as to avoid slippage and breakage.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry. A lover of anything and everything Eastern medicine-related, she gua shas regularly and feels it’s a skincare step everyone should try.
Esme Benjamin is a Byrdie contributor who specializes in wellness and beauty content. Esme is a gua sha devotee, and loves to use hers right out of the fridge for the best depuffing benefits.
For this story, we used our own tested insights to recommend the best gua sha tools. Additionally, we reached out to Giselle Wasfie, D.A.C.M. an acupuncturist and founder of Remix Acupuncture + Integrative Health in Chicago to gather her insights about what to know when buying a gua sha tool.
Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4740347/
Nielsen A, Knoblauch NT, Dobos GJ, Michalsen A, Kaptchuk TJ. The effect of Gua Sha treatment on the microcirculation of surface tissue: a pilot study in healthy subjects. Explore (NY). 2007;3(5):456-466. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2007.06.001