Have you heard of Gua Sha? While it may be a ‘new trend’ in the US, it has been practiced in Traditional Chinese Medicine for hundreds (probably even thousands of years) so it’s not really “new” at all.
You may be wondering if the hype is really worth it – how many benefits can a facial massage have anyway, right?
Actually, adding Gua Sha to your skincare routine can even out your skin tone and prevent wrinkles, and it might improve lymphatic drainage and help you get over colds or the flu faster, too.
One important thing to note is to use the best facial oil for gua sha for your specific skin type or skin concerns. Yes, you must use facial oils for gua sha. And wow are there a lot to choose from!
It can be confusing to wade through all the facial oils advertised for gua sha: some may actually contain added ingredients that could lead to skin irritation or be too heavy for oily skin.
If you’re unsure of what oil to use with Gua Sha, this article ranks the best and safest facial oils for facial massage – breaking them down based on skin types and specific skin concerns.
Remember that choosing the best oil for Gua Sha for your skin type ensures that your skin texture will improve, and the massage won’t lead to breakouts or skin irritation.
- Best for Gua Sha newbies
- Great for mature skin: helps to reduce wrinkles and evens out skin tone
- One of the most affordable Gua Sha oil
- Not all women like its smell
- Recommended by 90% of verified buyers!
- Works magic for wrinkles & fine lines
- Perfect for normal and oily skin
- Doesn't clog pores (suitable for acne-prone skin types)
- May be not the right choice for dry skin types
- Recommended by 91% of verified buyers!
- Helps to reduce dark spots and smoothes out skin textures
- Supports skin's natural lipid barrier
- Lots of users say that it smells incredible
- May not be good for sensitive skin
- Recommended by 88% of verified buyers!
Remember that choosing the best oil for Gua Sha for your skin type ensures that your skin texture will improve, and the massage won’t lead to breakouts or skin irritation.
14 Best Oils For Gua Sha – Reviews
Here I’ve ranked the best facial oils for Gua Sha. Within each review, you’ll see if it’s a single ingredient oil or a blend, and which skin type it is best suited for.
The best oils for Gua Sha are:
1. The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
Our verdict: Best facial oil for Gua Sha beginners
If you are unsure of which oils for Gua Sha to start with, pure organic rosehip oil is a good choice.
Rosehip oil is known for its anti-aging properties and ability to reduce skin discoloration to even out skin. It is naturally acne-preventative while keeping skin hydrated.
Why You Will Love It
- Pure oil
There are no other ingredients in this pure oil – it’s just healthy rose hip seed oil, nothing extra to worry about!
- Brightens uneven tone
Rose hip seed oil improves skin texture and gives you more radiant-looking skin. It has brightening properties which means it’s great for uneven skin tone. No more dull skin!
- Fights signs of aging
It hydrates the skin, improves its elasticity and helps to reduce the visibility of fine lines.
- Great price
This is one of the more affordable oils for Gua Sha.
Keep In Mind
It has a very strong scent, which many users mentioned was unpleasant. The good news is, the smell dissipates quickly and won’t leave a lingering scent on your skin, just wait a few minutes.
2. Beauty By Earth Glowing & Radiant Organic Facial Oil
Our verdict: Best anti-aging facial oil for oily skin types
This organic Beauty By Earth facial oil is packed with antioxidant-rich ingredients like jojoba oil, this is not only excellent for anti-aging, it’s also good for sensitive skin.
It also contains wonderful Moringa oil that works magic for reducing wrinkles!
Why You Will Love It
- Hypoallergenic
It is certified hypoallergenic and vegan, making a great choice for those with sensitive skin.
- High in Vitamin E
The jojoba oil gives a massive punch of skin nourishing Vitamin E while also being ideal for acne-prone skin.
- Great for oily skin
The oils used in this facial oil blend won’t clog pores, making it a good choice for those dealing with oily skin.
Keep In Mind
While it’s a great choice for oily skin types, if your concern is dry skin, reach for a different product.
PRO TIP: Another anti-aging facial oil, for those with a higher budget, is this amazing Herbivore Phoenix Rosehip Face Oil. It’s made of just a few ingredients, including sea buckthorn oil and rosehip oil. It works well for dry skin types.
3. Acure The Essentials 100% Plant Squalane Oil
Our verdict: Best oil for repairing skin
Why You Will Love It
- Prevents premature aging
- Vegan
- Skin healing
Keep In Mind
The ingredients list only says “100% plant-based squalene” but doesn’t give specific sources (sugar cane? olive oil? rice? wheat germ?) this is important for those with allergies to be aware of.4. Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil
Our verdict: Best Gua Sha oil for sensitive skin
Another choice for 100% pure, unblended oils is this powerful argan oil. Its a good choice for combination skin or those struggling with sensitivities.
Why You Will Love It
- Single ingredient
If you have sensitive skin, you know why single ingredient oils for Gua Sha are important. There are no additives, fragrances or mineral oils here, just 100% pure oil.
- High in fatty acids
This means it’s great for plumping your skin and making dull skin glow.
- Multi-purpose
This is more than a face oil, it can be used on your skin and nails, too, making it a wonderful beauty product.
Keep In Mind
Last time I checked, the Amazon listing for this product was cheaper than on the seller’s website. You can check if it’s still cheaper here >>
5. Rovectin Barrier Repair Face Oil
Our verdict: Best oil to restore skin’s natural barrier
Why You Will Love It
- Vegan squalane
- High in Vitamin E
- Smells amazing
Keep In Mind
The ingredients do contain essential oils, which may not be appropriate for those with sensitive skin.6. Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
Our verdict: Best Gua Sha oil for dry skin types
Marula oil comes from the Marula tree, which grows in South Africa. It is one of the best oils for to prevent premature aging and is very high in antioxidants.
Why You Will Love It
- Intensely moisturizing
This is the best oil for excessively dry skin, so if you’re facing flaky skin – slather this stuff on!
- High in good fats
Marula oil is naturally high in omega fatty acids, which help keep skin supple, making it a great addition to your skincare routine.
- Wrinkle reducing
This face oil is wonderful at reducing the appearance of wrinkles and smoothing out fine lines.
Keep In Mind
Marula Oil has the highest comedogenic rating of all the face oils on this list, so it does have the ability to clog pores.
This means it’s not a good choice if you have acne-prone or oily skin type.
7. Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Facial Oil
Our verdict: Best lightweight oil for dry skin
Why You Will Love It
- A lightweight oil that packs a moisturizing punch
- Low comedogenic rating
Keep In Mind
This oil does have some synthetic components, being 95% natural (there’s that little 5% to consider). If you’re set on using only pure, natural products, choose another oil from the list.8. Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil
Our verdict: Best facial oil to control oil production naturally
Why You Will Love It
- Firms up skin
- Controls sebum
Keep In Mind
It is one of the more expensive oils on this list, perhaps not the best choice for those just starting out on their Gua Sha journey.9. Blume Meltdown Acne Oil
Our verdict: Best facial oil for Gua Sha for acne-prone skin
This facial oil features: acne-fighting tea tree oil, tamanu to reduce redness, cumin seed oil and sunflower oil to help hydrate the skin. Rosehip seed oil prevents fine lines and helps prevent future breakouts.
Why You Will Love It
- Team work
A blend of all-natural oils and root extracts that offers a host of skin benefits, from preventing and treating acne, to premature aging of the skin.
- Acne-fighting
Reduces redness and targets acne. It even clears up acne scars!
- Pure and vegan
Each oil in this power-packed Gua Sha facial oil is pure and vegan.
Keep In Mind
It contains sesame seed oil and tamanu seed oil (derived from a tree nut common to East Africa and parts of Asia) so those with severe allergies should be aware.
10. Summer Fridays Heavenly Sixteen All-In-One Face Oil
Our verdict: Best all-around face oil for Gua Sha
Why You Will Love It
- Soothing
- Improves skin elasticity
- Doesn’t clog pores
Keep In Mind
While it is fragrance-free, the product does have a natural scent from the blend of oils.11. Kinship Kinskin Oat Ceramide Barrier Relief Oil
Our verdict: Best facial oil for inflamed skin
Why You Will Love It
- Restores skin barrier
- Skin regeneration
- No essential oils
Keep In Mind
It is advised to blend this with another oil, instead of using it on its own. Choose another oil from the facial oils for Gua Sha on this list to make a perfect match and give enough slip when using with gua sha tools.12. Herbivore Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil
Best for stressed, dull skin
Why You Will Love It
- The power of hemp seed oil
- Reduces stress
Keep In Mind
The instructions say to allow 1-3 minutes for absorption before applying makeup. This should be used as the last step in your skincare routine.13. Wildling Lumin Three-In-One Oil
Our verdict: Best facial oil for brightening the skin
If you have dull skin and are looking for a very simple facial oil blend, then this Wildling 3-in-1 is for you. It is perfect for oily or combination skin types.
Why You Will Love It
- Power of sea buckthorn oil
This oil contains sea buckthorn oil, making it high in Vitamin C (which is skin brightening), but also is toted as a treatment for rosacea.
- Balances skin’s natural sebum
Jojoba oil and sea buckthorn are known to help regulate sebum production, making this a great choice for hydrating combination skin.
Keep In Mind
The oil is naturally bright orange, but might be a surprise the first time you use it. It will not dye your face orange.
14. BYBI Bakuchiol Booster
Our verdict: Best nighttime serum for Gua Sha
You can add boosters or serums to face oils for Gua Sha to get even more nourishment from a Gua Sha session. This night-time booster as anti-aging properties and can help smooth out an uneven skin tones, too.
Why You Will Love It
- Simple, effective ingredients
This incredible facial serum has only two ingredients: squalene (derived from olives) and bakuchiol, that’s it!
- Pregnancy-safe
Bakuchiol has the same effects as retinol (like collagen production, treating dark spots and reducing the appearance of hyper-pigmentation), but is safe to use during pregnancy.
- Improves skin elasticity
When it comes to reducing the signs of aging, bakuchiol is able to reduce wrinkles and fine lines and make skin appear firmer, without the concerns related to using retinol.
Keep In Mind
This serum is recommended to be used along with another facial oil, not on its own. Mix with your preferred oil for your own perfect face oils for Gua Sha.
Everything You Need To Know About Gua Sha
If you’re new to this facial massage, here you’ll find all basic information about it.
What Is Gua Sha?
Gua Sha means “scraping” and is a type of facial massage performed with a Gua Sha stone from Traditional Chinese Medicine.
It is believed to give numerous health benefits, like improving circulation and even helping lymphatic drainage when done as part of your regular beauty routine.
Gua Sha was introduced to me by my dearest friend from China, Yang, who is blogging about C-beauty and Chinese makeup brands.
How To Pronounce Gua Sha?
The most common way to pronounce Gua Sha is “goo-ah shaw”.
Benefits Of Gua Sha Massage
There are several promoted benefits of Gua massage, but keep in mind, not all of these have been scientifically proven, although they have been used traditionally for hundreds of years.
- Improve blood circulation
Which reduces swelling and improves the overall appearance of skin.
- Reduced muscle tension
Gua Sha can be practiced all over the body, not only on the face. When you massage with a Gua Sha tool you’ll likely experience less tension and stress in specific areas, like buttocks and thighs.
- Improve skin texture
Adding Gua Sha to your regular skin care routine means that you will be applying oil and massaging it in on a regular basis, this will lead to glowing skin and reduced inflammation (when done with the right oil for your face).
- Face contours
Improve the look of facial contours, like jaw line and cheekbones. Although it has not been scientifically-proven, many users of Gua Sha swear by this benefit.
- Reduces wrinkles
Applying the best facial oils, ones that offer anti-aging properties, will help reduce wrinkles and prevent fine lines when you regularly practice Gua Sha facial massages.
- Lymphatic drainage
This can speed up healing of colds/flu and help you feel better faster. However, if you have certain health concerns or are pregnant, you should consult your doctor before doing Gua Sha facial massages, just to be on the safe side.
Does Gua Sha Work?
You will see results when doing Gua Sha on a regular basis. Whether that’s simply from applying face oils regularly, or helping improve you blood circulation around your face, this practice has been used for centuries because it works!
Is It OK To Use Gua Sha Everyday?
Yes, it is advised to do Gua Sha on a daily basis, sometimes even twice daily (morning and evening).
If you don’t remember to do a Gua Sha facial daily, that’s okay. Aim for at least 3 times a week, minimum.
What Kind Of Gua Sha Stone Should I Buy?
The best Gua Sha stones are made of jade, and rose quartz is a popular, more affordable option, too.
The stone is stoked across the skin, starting from the jawline, in upwards motions that follow the contours of the face (no tugging, just go with the facial contours).
The entire facial massage will cover the jaw, cheekbones and forehead, but should avoid sensitive areas like the eyes and lips.
Another Gua Sha tool is a facial roller, which is often used to reduce tension and alleviate puffiness.
Do You Need Face Oil For Gua Sha Massage?
Yes, you absolutely should use facial oil for Gua Sha.
Rubbing a smooth stone across dry skin will probably lead to irritated skin and be more harmful than beneficial.
Always wash your face with a cleanser before applying any face oils.
Do You Need A Special Oil For Gua Sha?
You should pay attention to your personal skin type to decide the best oil for Gua Sha treatment.
Some will work better than others for soothing irritated skin, tackling dark spots or uneven skin tone to promote an even pigmentation of the skin.
Can I Use Any Oil With Gua Sha?
It is best to go with a Gua Sha oil that is made of pure, natural ingredients. Consider the list provided and choose one of the listed best face oils, according to your skin needs.
Can You Use Moisturizer Instead Of Oil With Gua Sha?
It is recommended to use Gua Sha oil, not just a facial moisturizer for Gua Sha treatment. Your skin will thank you for it later!
What Kind Of Oils Are Best For Gua Sha?
Depending on your skin type and concerns, you may want to try different types of oils for Gua Sha massage:
Argan Oil
- Benefits: rich in fatty acids and antioxidants. An excellent source of vitamin E.
- Recommended for: mature skin and sensitive skin.
Tea Tree Oil
- Benefits: anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, prevents acne.
- Recommended for: oily skin, or skin concerns like acne breakouts.
Rosehip oil
- Benefits: acne preventative, high in vitamin C to help reduce dark spots. Naturally anti-aging.
- Recommended for: prematurely aging skin and uneven skin tones.
Marula Oil
- Benefits: anti-aging, reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
- Recommended for: mature skin.
Sweet Almond Oil
- Benefits: High in omega fatty acids, good source of vitamin E.
- Recommended for: dry skin.
Grape Seed Oil
- Benefits: non-comedogenic – will not clog pores. Reduces irritation.
- Recommended for: acne-prone skin, uneven texture.
Jojoba Oil
- Benefits: helps to balance sebum production.
- Recommended for: combination or acne-prone skin.
Sesame Oil
- Benefits: Lightweight oil, noncomedogenic.
- Recommended for: oily skin types.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Facial Oil For Gua Sha?
You need to consider your individual skin type, as well as ingredients and texture of the oil to find what works best for Gua Sha.
1. Your Skin Type
You should be aware of you skin type before selecting a Gua Sha massage oil for your face. Below are the best oils for each specific skin concern to make it easy for you to choose.
Dry skin:
- Sesame oil
- Squalane
- Sweet Almond Oil
Acne prone skin:
- Rose hip oil
- Tea Tree oil
- Jojoba oil
Oily skin:
- Tea Tree oil
- Sesame oil
- Grape seed oil
Combination skin
- Jojoba oil
Sensitive skin:
- Argan oil
- Sweet Almond Oil
Mature skin:
- Marula Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Rosehip Oil
2. Texture Of The Oil
Since Gua Sha means to ‘scrape’ it’s necessary that whatever oil you use with this practice has enough ‘slip’ to ensure you don’t irritate your skin.
Fast absorbing oils are better for oily skin types, but those with sensitive skin should consider a thicker oil that will make a layer of protection over the skin.
You can also formulate your own Gua Sha oil by blending several pure oils, like rose hip and avocado oil to ensure you get the consistency you want.
3. Active Ingredients
If you aren’t sure how to begin, go with 100% pure oils, and avoid any synthetic ingredients. Most of the oils on this list are 100% natural, pure oils.
Remember, this is just for the practice of Gua Sha, if you have a favorite facial cleanser or nighttime moisturizer, this is just a new step in your beauty routine.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Gua Sha?
Those who have gone for a professional Gua Sha session have complained of bruising or tenderness afterwards. However, such result are not common when doing Gua Sha on yourself, at home.
If you use the wrong massage oil for your sensitive skin or acne-prone skin, you could end up with pimples or a breakout. That is why it is important to choose the correct facial oils for you skin type.
Is Using Gua Sha Too Much Bad?
Yes, if you do Gua Sha too often, you could end up irritating your face. You won’t get fast results by doing it more often or by doing longer massages.
Stick to 10-12 minutes of massage, not longer.
When Should You Never Use Gua Sha?
It is not advised to do Gua Sha if you have broken skin or wounds, this includes on your face. You should also avoid Gua massage on sensitive areas like the lips and eyes.
Gua Sha is not appropriate for children.
If you are pregnant or have a medical condition that involves the lymphatic system, you should consult your doctor before beginning.
Discuss which areas (face or body) you are planning to do the Gua Sha massage before you start.
The purpose of this article is informative and entertaining. It’s not a substitute for medical consultation or medical care. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Safety should be your priority. This article contains affiliate links.
All pictures in this article with YouAreBeautie logo belong to YouAreBeautie.com and were taken by the author of this website. All these images are copyright-protected. Sources of other pictures:
- Pictures of Beauty By Earth Oil belong to Beauty By Earth Brand. Source: https://beautybyearth.com/
- Pictures of Acure The Essentials 100% Plant Squalane Oil belong to Acure Brand. Source: https://acure.com/
- Pictures of Josie Maran Argan Oil belong to Josie Maran Brand. Source: https://www.josiemaran.com/
- Pictures of Rovectin Oil Belong to Revectin Brand. Source: https://rovectin.com/
- Pictures of Drunk Elephant Marula Oil belong to Drunk Elephant Brand. Source: https://www.drunkelephant.com/
- Pictures of Haruharu Black Rice Oil belong to Haruharu Wonder Brand. Source: https://haruharuusa.com/
- Pictures of Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil belong to Le Prunier Brand. Source: https://leprunier.com/
- Pictures of Blume Meltdown Acne Oil belong to Blume Brand. Source: https://www.blume.com/
- Pictures of Summer Fridays All-In-One Oil belong to Summer Fridays Brand. Source: https://summerfridays.com/
- Pictures of Kinship Kinskin Relief Oil belong to Kinship Brand. Source: https://lovekinship.com/
- Pictures of Herbivore Emerald Oil belong to Herbivore Botanicals Brand. Source: https://www.herbivorebotanicals.com/
- Pictures of Wildling Oil belong to Wildling Brand. Source: https://wildling.com/
- Pictures of BYBI Bauchiol Booster belong to BYBI Brand. Source: https://bybi.com
