Your comprehensive guide to gua sha and its benefits

By RITUALS
Mon Sep 15 2025
3 min read

Gua sha is more than a buzzy skincare trend. It’s a centuries-old practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine that's long been used to promote better circulation, relieve tension, and restore balance.

The technique involves gently gliding a smooth-edged tool across the skin to release areas of tightness, support circulation, and revive your natural glow. With the arrival of our new The Ritual of Jing body gua sha, you can now bring this calming, restorative practice into your everyday routine.

Ready to get started? Whether you’re new to gua sha or looking to deepen your practice, this guide covers everything you need to know – including expert advice on when and how to do it.

What is gua sha – and what are the benefits?

Gua sha (pronounced gwah-shah) means “to scrape” in Chinese – but don’t let the name fool you. The modern gua sha massage is gentle, relaxing and incredibly effective. When done with light pressure and the right oil, it can help to:

Reduce puffiness and fluid retention

Brighten and lift skin

Improve lymphatic drainage and circulation

Relieve muscle tension

Support collagen production over time

“As an aesthetic doctor, I often recommend gua sha as a non-invasive, calming routine that benefits both the skin and underlying fascia,” says Dr. Barbara Kubicka, dermatologist and director of London’s Clinicbe. “Immediately, most people notice a reduction in puffiness, brighter skin tone, and a more sculpted appearance, particularly around the cheekbones and jawline.”

It’s the long-term benefits that Dr. Kubicka describes which really have us hooked though: “With consistent use over time, gua sha can help to improve lymphatic drainage, soften fine lines, support collagen production, and release muscular tension that can otherwise contribute to sagging or dullness,” she explains.

How to use a gua sha tool on your face

Using a gua sha for the face is one of the easiest ways to start elevating your self-care routine. Even better, getting started is simple – cleanse and prep your skin with a facial oil, apply light pressure, and enjoy a little tension release.

“I always advise my clients to use gua sha on well prepped skin,” notes Dr. Kubicka. “A lightweight, natural oil such as jojoba or rosehip works well for the face, and offers calming and nourishing benefits. You can apply it on clean, dry skin after using a hydrating mist or serum, but just ensure the surface is smooth and well-lubricated.”

Ready to get started? Follow our step-by-step guide to a home gua sha facial.

Step-by-step facial gua sha routine:

Start at the neck. Glide your gua sha upwards from collarbone to jaw using the flat edge to open lymphatic flow.
Define the jawline. Place the curved edge at your chin and sweep towards your ear.
Lift the cheeks. Use long strokes from nose to temple, sweeping under the cheekbone.
De-puff the eyes. Gently sweep under the eye and across the brow bone.
Smooth the forehead. Glide from between the brows up to the hairline.

“Always apply a face oil first,” advises Dr. Kubicka. “It allows the gua sha tool to glide smoothly over the skin, reducing friction and irritation.”

Feel extra puffy? Keep your gua sha in the fridge for a cooling, de-puffing effect – perfect for tired eyes in the morning.

Don’t stop at your face – try scalp gua sha too

One often overlooked area for gua sha is the scalp. Regular scalp massage can help release tension, stimulate circulation, and may even support healthier hair growth over time.

“Most people don’t realise you can also use gua sha on the scalp,” says skin therapist and holistic health expert Donna Bartoli “It’s incredible for releasing tension, stimulating hair growth, and improving blood flow to the follicles.”

So how do you practice scalp gua sha? “Use the comb-edged side (if your tool has one, ours does!) or the flat edge of your gua sha, and swipe across the scalp, especially around the hairline and crown,” explains Bartoli “It feels divine and is perfect for releasing some tension.”

How to use gua sha on your body

While gua sha facials get a lot of airtime, using a gua sha tool on your body can be just as transformative. With slightly firmer pressure and the right body oil, body gua sha can help support circulation, reduce tension, and promote lymphatic flow – especially useful if you’re feeling sluggish or puffy. All while offering a few peaceful moments to yourself.

“On the body, you can use firmer pressure (always with body oil) to support lymphatic drainage, reduce tension and boost circulation,” says Bartoli. “Focus on areas like the thighs, arms and stomach in long sweeping motions towards the heart. I always love to do this at certain times in my cycle when I might be holding some more water, or after travelling too.”

For best results, both Bartoli and Dr. Kubicka recommend incorporating regular body gua sha massage into your existing self-care routine.

“Always work in the direction of lymphatic flow and finish with deep breathing or light massage to enhance results,” says Dr. Kubicka. “With regular practice, gua sha can become not just a skincare tool, but a deeply grounding self care ritual.”

Step-by-step body gua sha routine:

Boost leg circulation. Sweep upwards from ankles to thighs to support lymphatic flow and ease heavy legs.
Reduce hip and thigh tension. Use long, firm strokes from thighs to groin to relieve puffiness and tightness.
Stimulate the arms. Glide from wrists to shoulders, finishing each stroke at the armpits to support drainage.
Aid digestion. Circle gently around the belly button, then sweep upwards toward the ribs to ease bloating.
Release shoulder tension. Sweep across the lower back and out from shoulders to relax tight muscles.
Close with calm. Finish with deep breaths, light massage, or a lymph-supporting drink like warm water with lemon.