How to Use Gua Sha at Home (And the Best Serums to Pair With It)
/How to Use Gua Sha at Home (And the Best Serums to Pair With It)
At Tivoli Rose, we’re passionate about educating our clients so you can achieve long‑term skin health, not just short‑term results. One tool we’re often asked about is Gua Sha. While we don’t stock Gua Sha’s (just yet wink wink), we absolutely support their use when performed correctly and paired with professional skincare.
Used mindfully, Gua Sha can be a beautiful addition to your home routine. This guide will explain what it is, how to use it safely, and which O Cosmedics serums we recommend to enhance your results.
What Is Gua Sha?
Gua Sha is a traditional facial massage technique that uses a smooth‑edged stone to gently glide over the skin. Rather than being about pressure, it focuses on slow, intentional movements that support circulation and lymphatic flow.
When practised consistently, Gua Sha can help reduce puffiness, encourage a healthy glow, release facial tension and support better absorption of your skincare. Think of it as a ritual that complements your professional treatments, not something that replaces them.
Before You Start: The Non‑Negotiables
Before beginning any Gua Sha routine, it’s important to protect the skin barrier. Gua Sha should never be performed on dry skin or over irritation, active breakouts, or broken skin.
Always start with clean skin and apply a serum or oil that provides enough slip for the tool to glide effortlessly. Pressure should remain light to medium at all times — this is a massage technique, not a scraping method. Choosing the right product is essential for both safety and results.
How to Use Gua Sha at Home
Begin with freshly cleansed skin. Apply a generous layer of your chosen serum or oil so the tool moves smoothly without pulling or dragging.
Start at the neck, holding the Gua Sha tool almost flat against the skin. Using slow, upward strokes, glide from the collarbone toward the jawline. This area is essential for supporting lymphatic drainage and preparing the face.
Move to the jawline and chin, sweeping from the centre of the face outward toward the ears. Keep movements controlled and relaxed, focusing on release rather than pressure.
For the cheeks, begin near the nose and glide outward toward the ear, lifting the skin gently with each stroke. Under the eyes, use the lightest pressure possible, moving from the inner corner outward. One or two passes are sufficient.
Finish on the forehead by gliding upward from the brows to the hairline or outward from the centre. Always aim to move fluidly and finish strokes outward and upward to support lymphatic flow.
How Often Should You Gua Sha?
Gua Sha works best when used consistently but gently. For most people, two to four sessions per week is ideal, with each session lasting around five to ten minutes. More pressure or longer sessions won’t lead to better results - consistency and technique matter far more.
The Best O Cosmedics Serums to Use with Gua Sha
Not all serums are suitable for facial massage. When pairing skincare with Gua Sha, we look for formulas that provide excellent slip, nourish the skin barrier and actively support skin health. These three O Cosmedics serums meet all those criteria and are available in‑clinic.
✨ O Biotics Retinoic Oil | $141
This advanced retinoic oil is ideal for clients wanting to address ageing concerns while maintaining a healthy, supported skin barrier. Its nourishing oil base allows the Gua Sha tool to glide smoothly while delivering powerful skin‑renewing benefits.
It works particularly well for normal to dry or resilient skins and is best used in the evening. Due to its active nature, we recommend using it two to three nights per week or as advised by your therapist.
✨ Vitamin C Hemp Seed Oil | $131
This lightweight yet deeply nourishing oil combines antioxidant protection with barrier‑supporting hemp seed oil. It’s an excellent option for clients experiencing dullness, dehydration or environmental stress.
When paired with Gua Sha, it enhances circulation and glow while keeping the skin comfortable and hydrated. This oil can be used both morning or evening, making it a versatile option for at‑home rituals.
✨ O Biotics EGF Booster | $141
The O Biotics EGF Booster is designed to support skin repair, regeneration and long‑term skin resilience. It’s particularly suited to ageing, compromised or post‑treatment skins.
Used alongside Gua Sha, it helps encourage rejuvenation while strengthening the skin. For clients who prefer extra glide, this serum can be layered with a few drops of oil without compromising results.
Common Gua Sha Mistakes to Avoid
While Gua Sha is gentle, incorrect use can lead to irritation or poor results. The most common mistakes include using too much pressure, skipping the neck, performing the massage on dry or inflamed skin, and overusing the tool.
Gua Sha should feel calming and restorative. If your skin looks red or feels sore afterwards, the pressure is too strong.
Our Professional Advice
While Gua Sha is a beautiful addition to your home routine, results are always enhanced when combined with professional skin treatments and correct product selection.
Ready to Elevate Your Skincare Routine? Book a skin consultation or facial with us to ensure your home care is working as hard as you are.