Best Face Oils for Gua Sha for Glowing Skin (2024)

Gua sha (pronounced gwah-shaw) is a traditional Eastern treatment that's been used for centuries in China and other Asian countries, and is now becoming a new skincare trend in the US in recent years.¹ The practice uses a smooth-edged tool made of natural stone (such as jade or rose quartz) or metal (like stainless steel) to essentially scrape the skin with firm pressure without scratching it.

In the context of skincare, the goal of gua sha is often to improve blood circulation, minimize inflammation, and reduce puffiness through lymphatic detox.² Like below-the-neck massage, the method pairs well with natural oils. But why, exactly? And what's the best face oil for gua sha?

Why Face Oils Are Essential for Gua Sha

Before getting started, it’s important to note that there’s a difference between serum vs. facial oil. In fact, you wouldn’t necessarily use a Vitamin C serum or Hyaluronic Acid serum to do your gua sha routine. You're wise to use oil with your gua sha routine. Plant-derived oils make the skin on your face and neck slick, allowing the gua sha tool to glide smoothly across each area, around corners, and over the contours of your bone structure. Reducing friction and preventing tugging with this facial massage technique can simply make you feel better and minimize the chance of soreness.³

Then there's the added benefit of learning how to use facial oils themselves. So, what is face oil exactly? A non-comedogenic facial oil with anti-inflammatory properties can provide deep moisturization, help calm redness, promote healing, and potentially treat and prevent breakouts.⁴

Key Benefits of Using Face Oils During Gua Sha

If you regularly use face oil as part of your skincare routine, you may not need any convincing. But if you're new to the world of facial oils, allow us to introduce you to the many, many benefits.

When it comes to gua sha, the main perks of using facial oils are that they:

Enhance glide for smoother gua sha movements. As noted, applying oil to your skin before running a gua sha tool over it can reduce friction to minimize irritation and prevent potential adverse effects like minor bruising or broken capillaries.⁵
Boost hydration and nourish the skin. Gua sha or no gua sha, applying plant oils to your face, neck, and décolletage can deliver deep moisturization and nourishment while supporting a healthy skin barrier.⁶ Skin flooding, one of the latest skincare trends that prioritizes intense hydration, can be done by adding a non-comedogenic facial oil to your routine to really lock in added moisture.
Improve absorption of active ingredients. If you apply facial oil over other skincare products, it may help "lock them in" and boost the absorption of active ingredients. Gua sha tools are often non-porous, meaning they don't absorb anything. So the oil will stay on your skin rather than being soaked up by the tool (or your hands). If you want to build a healthy skin barrier and hydrate your skin overnight, try adding a gua sha and facial oil to your nighttime routine.
Calm inflammation and promote healing. As mentioned, many face oils have an anti-inflammatory effect, and they're often antimicrobial, meaning they kill bacteria that might contribute to acne. Topical plant oils can also support skin healing.⁷

Best Types of Face Oils for Gua Sha

What's the best face oil for gua sha? Before you get started, you should know that there are both good and bad seed oils for acne-prone skin. We recommend non-comedogenic oils—those that won't clog your pores. A few of our favorites include:

Watermelon Seed Oil

Watermelon seed oil is chock full of skin-loving nutrients, including various fatty acids, vitamin E, and other antioxidants.⁸

It's also lightweight and non-comedogenic, helping balance your skin's natural oil production, preventing a greasy T-zone, and minimizing sebum (the waxy substance within your pores) to keep blackheads at bay. Since watermelon oil absorbs quickly, it doesn't just sit on top of your skin and won't lead to breakouts.⁹

Rosehip Seed Oil

Rosehip seed oil is rich in Vitamins A, C, and E, plus essential fatty acids, which is why it’s a great non-comedogenic oil for acne-prone skin. It's been shown to offer a wide range of complexion-boosting benefits, including calming inflammation, brightening (which helps with different types of hyperpigmentation), and deep moisturization.¹⁰

Naturally reparative rosehip oil can improve skin texture and promote healing—bonuses to an at-home gua sha session. It might also prevent acne and help treat eczema.¹¹

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba is among the most popular facial oils—and for good reason. It's often blended with other ingredients in face moisturizers, serums, and oil-based cleansers.

It's been shown to elevate the absorption of other topical skincare products. Jojoba oil is also rich in esters, a type of emollient that softens the skin, prevents moisture loss, and bolsters the skin barrier. Like other plant oils, it has an inflammation-calming effect and may inhibit acne-causing bacteria.¹²

Argan Oil

Argan oil is another widely used skincare oil, and we're here for it. It's full of nourishing fatty acids and is a natural source of Vitamin E and squalane.

This face oil helps the skin hold moisture while softening and strengthening it. Using it regularly with gua sha or applying a few drops nightly might help improve skin elasticity and firmness.¹³

Squalane

Did you know that there are many benefits of squalane oil for the skin? Squalane is a type of oil often derived from olives. It mimics squalene (with an e), which is naturally produced by the skin and makes up a big portion of sebum. So applying squalane to your skin can prevent it from overproducing oil. It seems counterintuitive, but using this oil might actually make your complexion less greasy.

Both an emollient and an antioxidant, squalane has been shown to help the skin retain natural hydration levels and prevent oxidative stress by combating free radicals.¹⁴

Speaking of olives, olive oil is another option that's been used for skin-scraping techniques and massage for hundreds of years.^{15 16}

Safflower Oil

Safflower seed oil is rich in linoleic and oleic acid. When used topically, it's been shown to help improve circulation, bringing blood and nutrients to the area where it's applied.

This facial oil is also an antioxidant that helps reduce and prevent hyperpigmentation (dark spots or brown patches).¹⁷ We love it in skincare products and as a gua sha oil.

Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil has known healing properties. It's also high in vitamin E and resveratrol, the latter of which has antimicrobial effects (a major plus for acne-prone skin). It's considered one of the better options for oily skin and for those looking for moisture without the risk of causing pimples.

As a non-comedogenic, anti-inflammatory facial oil, grapeseed oil is an excellent choice for gua sha.

How to Choose the Right Oil for Your Skin Type

The best facial oil for gua sha depends on your skin type, goals, and personal preferences. For instance, if your skin is on the oilier side, you might prefer a lightweight, fast-absorbing option, like our GOLDENHOUR watermelon facial oil. If you have very dry skin, a pure oil (rather than one mixed with humectants like Hyaluronic Acid) might be the way to go.

Having said that, non-comedogenic options are the safest bet for all skin types, as they won't clog pores and are unlikely to cause irritation. Beyond those listed above, sweet almond oil, marula oil, avocado oil, sea buckthorn oil, neem oil, and hemp oil are also great choices. This goes for gua sha and general skincare.

Should you apply face oil before or after moisturizer? You can get more of your skincare questions answered right on our blog.

Elevate Your Gua Sha Routine with the Right Face Oil

Choosing the right facial oil can elevate your gua sha routine, making each session more effective and enjoyable while providing lasting skin benefits. With the right combination of nourishing ingredients, you can enhance your skincare results and achieve a radiant, glowing complexion.

If you're interested in other formulas containing natural oils, check out our reparative collagen peptide serum, which contains argan oil and jasmine essential oil, among other key ingredients.

Sources

¹ Yue L. (2023). Understandings and misunderstandings of gua sha: A discussion from the perspective of scientific multiculturalism. Cultures of Science, 6(3), 269-277. doi.org/10.1177/20966083231200044
² Hamp A, et al. (2022). Gua-sha, Jade Roller, and Facial Massage: Are there benefits within dermatology?. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. doi.org/10.1111/jocd.15421
³ Chu ECP, et al. (2021). Exploring scraping therapy: Contemporary views on an ancient healing - A review. Journal of family medicine and primary care, 10(8), 2757–2762. doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_360_21
⁴ Lin TK, et al. (2017). Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. ;19(1):70. doi:10.2147/CCID.S144180
⁵ Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Why Gua Sha Might Be Good For You. Health Essentials.
⁶ Lin TK, et al. (2017). Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. ;19(1):70. doi:10.2147/CCID.S144180
⁷ Lin TK, et al. (2017). Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. ;19(1):70. doi:10.2147/CCID.S144180
⁸ Petchsomrit A, et al. (2020). Watermelon seeds and peels: fatty acid composition and cosmeceutical potential. Oilseeds & Fats, Crops and Lipids. doi.org/10.1051/ocl/2020051
⁹ Komane B, et al. (2017). The topical efficacy and safety of Citrullus lanatus seed oil: A short-term clinical assessment. South African Journal of Botany. doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2017.06.028
¹⁰ Mármol I, et al. (2017) Therapeutic Applications of Rose Hips from Different Rosa Species. International journal of molecular sciences vol. 18,6 1137. doi:10.3390/ijms18061137
¹¹ Valerón-Almazán P, et al. (2015) Evolution of Post-Surgical Scars Treated with Pure Rosehip Seed Oil. Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications, 5, 161-167. doi.org/10.4236/jcdsa.2015.52019
¹² Lin TK, et al. (2017). Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. ;19(1):70. doi:10.2147/CCID.S144180
¹³ Lin TK, et al. (2017). Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. ;19(1):70. doi:10.2147/CCID.S144180
¹⁴ Huang ZR, et al. (2009). Biological and pharmacological activities of squalene and related compounds: potential uses in cosmetic dermatology. Molecules.(1):540-554. doi:10.3390/molecules14010540
¹⁵ Chu ECP, et al. (2021). Exploring scraping therapy: Contemporary views on an ancient healing - A review. Journal of family medicine and primary care, 10(8), 2757–2762. doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_360_21
¹⁶ Nomikos NN, et al. (2010). The use of deep friction massage with olive oil as a means of prevention and treatment of sports injuries in ancient times. Archives of medical science. 6(5), 642–645. doi.org/10.5114/aoms.2010.17074
¹⁷ Lin TK, et al. (2017). Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. ;19(1):70. doi:10.2147/CCID.S144180