With the closure of hair and beauty salons, 2020 is the year of the DIY beauty boom, with many of us turning to at-home haircuts, manicures, pedicures and facials.
As the pandemic leads to a massive shift to at-home beauty, hashtags like #selfcare #homespa and #lockdownskin begin to trend as we change our habits and look for other ways to take care of our appearance as well as our physical and mental health. While cosmetics sales were hit hard by COVID (as people wore less makeup during the lockdown), skin care sales saw a huge increase. Major brands are also reporting significant growth in sales of skincare tools and equipment as customers seek to care for their skin at home! This trend is predicted to continue as non-mechanical and "dermatological" devices are increasingly integrated into our daily skincare regimens.
Gua Sha is easy to incorporate into your skin care routine. It is recommended that you use this technique at least 2 to 3 times a week, but you will find the greatest results with daily use.
It is best done after cleansing the face and applying a moisturizer or facial oil, which will allow the tool to glide maximally. It can also be used in the bath or shower with water, but is not recommended for use on bare skin. The added benefit of pre-applying the oil or cream is that the tool will aid in the absorption and efficacy of your chosen skin care product. See below for some lovely aromatherapy facial oil blends to use with your stones.
Using this tool is very easy. There are various instructional videos online, so browse through to discover the various techniques that can be used on different areas of the face, neck and head.
Make sure to place the tool flat on the skin and slide it outward. Always work in the same direction (not back and forth) and repeat the motion at least 3 times and up to 10 times. Move gently to reduce puffiness, then relax the muscles more forcefully.
For the basic routine, start with gentle strokes around the neck, then work from the center of the jaw up the contour of the chin, sliding from the nose across the cheeks, under the eyes, and up the center of each brow and forehead.
When working under the eyes, be sure to use only very gentle pressure, focusing on a slight pull on the skin, which will help drain lymph fluid and reduce puffiness. Start at the inner corner of the eye and work outward all the way to the hairline.
Working on the center of the forehead is especially good for relieving stress, anxiety and helping you sleep - start at the bridge of the nose and glide up the center of the forehead and into the hairline.
Start gently and see how your skin reacts. If you notice acne or other problems starting to surface, don't stop the technique and focus on working the neck until your face starts to calm down. Unblocking the neck is an important but often overlooked part of the practice. It is recommended that each scraping exercise should begin (and usually end with neck work). Not only should you stroke gently downward to promote lymphatic drainage, but you should stroke harder to relieve tight muscles at the back of the neck that may be blocking the flow of lymphatic fluid.
Scraping Aromatherapy Facial Oil
Peanut oil was traditionally used for scraping treatments, but today you can use any oil you like to complement your treatment and improve your skin.
You can choose a basic carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil or jojoba oil, or make a beautiful blend of essential oils to suit your specific skin care needs.
For facial massage, we usually recommend using 1 drop of essential oil for every 5 ml of carrier oil.
Here are some recommended blends for you to try. Place a few drops in the palm of your hand and apply to your face and neck.
For dry skin
Mix 10 ml of peach kernel oil with 1 drop of rose and 1 drop of geranium.
Peach kernel oil is a light, rich, easily absorbed carrier oil that is an excellent facial oil for dry, mature, dehydrated or damaged skin. It contains high levels of fatty acids (oleic and linoleic) as well as vitamins A and E.
For oily skin
Mix 10 ml of jojoba oil with 1 drop of bergamot and 1 drop of sandalwood.
Jojoba oil is very similar to the skin's own natural oils, sebum, and is therefore ideal for use on the face. It is perfect for rebalancing oily and dry skin types.
Sensitive Skin
Mix 10 ml of rosehip seed oil with 2 drops of neroli.
Rosehip Seed Oil is a nutrient-rich, light-textured dry oil that is extremely absorbent. It is perfect for soothing sensitive, itchy, dry skin (and scalp) and helps reduce dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles and scars.
Ultimate Luxury Facial Oil
Mix 50ml of Argan Oil with 8 drops of Geranium, 4 drops of Neroli, 2 drops of Jasmine and 2 drops of Rose for an extra special treat.
Argan oil is very light, non-comedogenic and easily absorbed. It is rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamin E, making it ideal for all skin types. It can help moisturize dry skin, balance oily skin, soothe inflamed or sensitive skin, and even help reduce the appearance of scars.
If you are looking for a ready-to-use option, we can recommend our pre-blended Neroli and Rose Facial Oil.
Gua Sha for Headaches and Migraines
Finally, in addition to improving skin conditions, gua sha is said to be an effective way to relieve headaches and migraines. Experts recommend using it to release areas of tension in the chin, eyebrows, forehead, temples or neck.
