What's the Deal With Gua Sha and Jade Rolling?

If you’re a skincare junkie, you probably keep up on the latest beauty trends. It seems like every day, there’s a new miracle product on the market touting endless benefits. But today, innovative skincare isn’t just reserved for the professionals or celebrities. In the past few years, skincare has gotten much more accessible (and affordable) for the everyday consumer.

One practice, in particular, that is gaining a cult following among beauty lovers—facial massage. Unlike body massage, facial massage doesn’t just aim to loosen tight facial muscles. Instead, it works to stimulate lymph nodes and drain excess fluid that can lead to puffiness. The end result is a glowier, more radiant and youthful skin tone. Facial massage is taking the beauty community by storm, and it’s becoming a staple in many skincare routines.

What are Gua Sha and Jade Rolling?

The two most popular types of facial massage are gua sha and jade rolling. Each method employs a slightly different technique and uses different tools that are designed to massage the face. However, the end result is the same—more lifted, tighter, and firmer skin. These tools can also be used on the neck and chest to achieve the same result.

A gua sha is a flat tool made from a jade or quartz stone, and it’s best used in combination with face oil to promote better gliding. When performing gua sha, you use the tool to “scrape” your skin using long and short strokes that stimulate tissue and increase blood flow. A gua sha tool is shaped to fit the contours of your face, which allows you to get a deeper massage.

Jade rolling, on the other hand, is a similar concept but uses a much different tool. Like the name suggests, jade rolling uses a paint roller-like device that is usually made from jade or quartz. You use the tool to lightly roll across the face to drain lymph nodes and relax facial muscles. Jade rolling gives a lighter massage than gua sha, and it’s often used in the morning to wake up the skin.

Both facial massage methods can be used multiple times per week, or even daily for people who don’t have sensitive skin. Generally, gua sha stones can get much deeper into the muscles and tissue, so it’s a better option for people who can handle added pressure. Jade rollers are much lighter, and are easier to use without much practice.

Can These Tools Really Transform Your Skin?

Gua sha and jade rolling have been used for centuries, with origins in ancient China. The Chinese used jade stones to promote lymphatic drainage, reduce inflammation and purify the body. However, it’s unclear how effective gua sha and jade rolling actually are. Currently, there isn’t any scientific evidence that proves if these facial massage techniques yield real results.

With that being said, many skincare experts do believe that gua sha and jade rolling can be beneficial to the skin. They’re able to draw conclusions based on the fact that massage in general has been shown to drain lymph nodes, relax tight muscles and improve skin tone. Therefore, massage on the face should produce a similar effect to body massage.

More convincingly are the thousands of positive testimonials from consumers who have added facial massage to their beauty routine. Many people have seen impressive results from facial massage over the long term, with just a few minutes of massage each day. Today, you can find gua sha tools and jade rollers at nearly any beauty store, at a variety of price points.

While the claims of facial massage are unproven, experts say that adding gua sha or jade rolling to your skincare routine can’t hurt. Light massage gets your blood flowing in the morning, and is a great way to reduce inflammation at the end of the day. Just be careful of how much pressure you’re applying. Facial massage that’s too deep can cause irritation and other issues.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to uplevel your skincare routine, consider adding gua sha or jade rolling. Many people have seen great benefits with these types of massage, and on top of that, it’s a great way to practice self-care. While you might see some immediate improvements, you’ll need to practice facial massage consistently over time to get lasting results.

Beth Rivelli is a Boston-based contributor for JUGs. She's a full-time content marketer, part-time Netflix addict, and self-proclaimed ice cream expert. Follow her @elizabethrivelli on Instagram.