In a world where there are always new skincare trends popping up, it can be overwhelming to determine what practices are useful and worth incorporating into your routine. One technique that has garnered a lot of attention in recent years is Gua Sha, a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves scraping a smooth tool over your skin. After adding Gua Sha to my own routine, I can confidently say that it has become a game-changer in promoting healthy and glowing skin and is a wonderful mindfulness practice.

Gua Sha is a gentle technique that can help improve your skin in multiple ways. One of the most significant benefits of Gua Sha is that it encourages lymphatic drainage, which helps to eliminate toxins and puffiness from your face. Additionally, it can increase circulation and reduce inflammation, which can help in reducing redness and creating an even-toned complexion. Gua Sha is easy to do; simply, use a smooth jade stone or tool over freshly cleansed and moisturized skin in a gentle, outward and upward motion. It can be done every day in the morning and evening or as needed to depuff your face and enjoy all the amazing benefits. 

When you begin practicing Gua Sha, it's important to focus on four main areas: the jawline, cheeks, eyes, and forehead. Begin at the jawline, where most of us carry tension due to TMJ, and spend some extra time here gliding the stone from the center out to your earlobes. Move on to your cheeks, eyes, and forehead, taking the time to work through all the areas while moving inward to outward, and upwards. The forehead is the only place you will move your tool in an upright motion towards your hairline. Always remember to use slow, gentle movements, and embrace any form of meditation or gratitude practice while you do it.

There is no right or wrong way to use Gua Sha; it's all about personal preference and tuning into your specific needs. I found that using Gua Sha in the morning gave me an energizing start to my day, while incorporating it at night before bed made me feel more relaxed and calm. I especially love the extra boost of hydration that follows when I added Gua Sha, and it’s a feeling that lasts all day long.

Incorporating Gua Sha into my skincare routine has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my skin. If you’re looking for an effective yet gentle technique to add to your daily routine, you should definitely add Gua Sha to your skincare toolkit. Remember to take your time, be gentle, and tune in to your body's needs.