The Holistic Benefits of Gua Sha

Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese massage that turns daily skincare into a calming, holistic self-care ritual.

Gua Sha is an ancient Chinese massage practice that offers a wide range of holistic benefits, from enhancing skin tone and relieving muscle tension to promoting emotional balance and spiritual grounding - especially when using healing stones like amethyst. Regular use, whether in professional treatments or mindful at-home rituals, nurtures the mind-body connection, supports detoxification, and transforms skincare into a deeply restorative self-care experience.

The Gua Sha is an ancient Chinese massage tool. The tool itself comes in many shapes and materials, designed for both facial and body use. You’ll find smooth sculpting tools crafted from quartz, jade, amethyst, and more - each material traditionally believed to carry its own energetic properties. Every design and stone comes with its own unique purpose, supporting not just beauty benefits but deep-seated wellbeing.

Why Amethyst Gua Sha?

Among the stones commonly used in Gua Sha, amethyst is revered for its holistic healing properties. Known for its stunning violet hues, Amethyst is a powerful stone that has been used for centuries in spiritual practices. It is said to promote emotional balance, calm the mind, and help in relieving stress and anxiety.

In addition to its calming properties, Amethyst is thought to possess a purifying energy that can clear blockages in the body, promoting a balanced flow of Qi (energy). It’s believed to help detoxify both the skin and the body, while encouraging mental clarity and spiritual growth.

Using an Amethyst Gua Sha tool in your ritual can enhance your experience by not only nurturing your skin but also offering emotional soothing and spiritual grounding. This stone is often used for those seeking deeper self-reflection and a sense of peace, making it an ideal companion for a mindful self-care ritual.

Soothing and calming skincare ritual

Increases circulation

Encourages lymphatic drainage

Helps improve elasticity and tone

The Art of Gua Sha

The art of massaging with tools has been practiced in East Asia for centuries - not only to relieve muscle tension but also to promote the body’s natural healing ability, rebalance energy flow, and nurture the mind-body connection. In fact, before specialized tools were common, hands, coins, spoons, and household objects were all used to perform this simple yet profound self-care ritual.

As with many ancient practices, Gua Sha has found a place within western beauty and wellness spaces, with many therapists now offering Gua Sha facials or full-body massages in their clinics. When applied with medium to intense pressure, Gua Sha acts as a powerful therapeutic massage (similar to a sports massage) and can sometimes cause slight bruising or redness - signs of stagnant energy and tension being released. Always ensure your therapist is well-trained and experienced before booking a professional Gua Sha session.

Gua Sha Massage: A Ritual You Can Bring Home

The beauty of Gua Sha is that its benefits aren’t confined to the treatment room. A gentler, deeply restorative form of Gua Sha massage can easily become part of your own home ritual.

When used on the face, slow, purposeful strokes encourage Qi (energy) flow, promote lymphatic drainage, and help tone and lift the skin. But more than that, Gua Sha invites you to reconnect with yourself - mind, body, and spirit. It transforms skincare into a meaningful pause, an opportunity to nurture your inner and outer self.

We recommend integrating a Gua Sha ritual into your weekly routine, as a beginner once a week - building up to 2-3 times a week. It’s a way to step out of your day’s momentum, to breathe, and to truly be with yourself.

Holistic Benefits of Gua Sha

Used consistently and with intention, Gua Sha can:

Relax muscle tension
Stimulate healthy blood and lymph flow, aiding in the release of accumulated toxins
Reduce inflammation and puffiness
Tone, lift, and sculpt the skin naturally
Minimize the appearance of fine lines
Support emotional wellbeing by fostering a sense of calm, grounding, and self-connection
Enhance mental clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual grounding through Amethyst’s healing properties

Beyond the visible benefits, the Gua Sha ritual is deeply soothing for the nervous system, helping to regulate stress responses and promote feelings of safety, relaxation, and peace.

How to Begin Your Gua Sha Practice

Before you begin, pause and reflect. Breathe in the aroma of the products you're using. Ground yourself in the present moment.

Move slowly, with awareness.

Linger over areas that feel tight or tender.
Apply the stone gently on your pressure points for a deeper, meditative relaxation.
Allow yourself to fully inhabit your body and the moment.

TIP: Create a calm, nurturing space in your home dedicated to your self-care practices — a sacred place you can return to again and again.

What Products Should You Use with Gua Sha?

Choosing the right skincare to accompany your Gua Sha ritual is important, as the pressure of the stone will enhance the absorption of products. Water-based products tend to evaporate quickly, which can cause dragging and discomfort. Instead, opt for rich, waterless, oil-based formulas that allow your stone to glide effortlessly across the skin - amplifying both hydration and the sensory pleasure of the ritual. Leaning into luxurious, nutrient-rich skincare deepens the nourishing aspect of your Gua Sha practice, enhancing its holistic benefits.

We recommend applying your oil (such as our Face Oil or Night Balm) before beginning your ritual. Always cleanse and tone beforehand to prepare the skin.