Today’s market is flooded with facial tools, and newer, improved versions appear frequently. Most notable, however, are the Gua Sha Stones and Facial Rollers – available in a variety of colors (so made of different stones like rose quartz, jade, etc.), each offering unique benefits to your skin.
Although they’ve been around for years, these facial tools have only caught on in the last few years due to increased focus on intensifying skincare routines and using non-cosmetic ways to achieve sculpted faces, hydrated, plumped skin, and more. But between gua sha and facial rollers, which tool is better, and is there the best one for you?
What is Gua Sha?
The use of scraping as a healer can be traced back to East Asian medicine. Gua means “to scrape” and sha means the small red dots (called petechiae) that appear on the skin as a result of bleeding. Gently scraping a smooth, flat stone (even used on the body) along the contours of the face is said to help increase the flow of energy (in Chinese medicine, in Chinese medicine) through the area where it is used. It is used to help reduce inflammation and promote healing because it aids movement and blood flow.
This tool helps relieve tension, relieve headaches and help heal a sore, tense jaw. What’s more, it helps to shape/contour the face and make you look more chiseled. The different edges of the stone fit different parts of the face, creating pressure and lift. These stones also aid in lymphatic drainage, clearing fluids from the face and reducing the appearance of dull, tired and puffy skin. When used with a skin care product (serum, cream or oil) it helps the product penetrate deeper into the skin while allowing the stone/tool to glide onto your skin better! What’s more, it relaxes the skin and is great to use right after the shower, preferably when it’s cold.
Gua sha stones are available in a variety of gemstones such as rose quartz, jade, amethyst, and even metal.
What is a Jade Roller?
Face rollers are oval-shaped rollers that attach to a long handle and can be used on the full face. Said to be inspired by Gua Sha, the tool is much easier to use, and some even have rollers of different sizes to help better sculpt the face and get into contours. The most popular face rollers are those made of jade and those using rose quartz, mainly because these are more readily available in the market. Each type of facial roller is made of a different stone with different benefits for the skin and should be chosen based on your tool requirements.
Facial rollers can help reduce puffiness in the morning, especially under the eyes, or can be used as a nighttime skincare routine to promote lymphatic drainage and help increase blood flow. Like scraping stones, it helps skin care products penetrate deep into the skin, and these products help the cooling stones glide smoothly onto the skin. One of the best ways to use them is with a sheet or sleeping mask – the serum in the product soaks into your skin, leaving you with a soft, hydrated face! Of course, in addition to being easy to use, the facial roller also relaxes the skin with gentle massaging movements and cooling surfaces. You can also refrigerate them for a more efficient cooling experience.
Gua Sha VS Jade Roller
While Gua Sha and Jade Roller share many similarities in efficacy, there are also subtle differences that make them function slightly differently. But how do you choose the best one for you?
If you’re using a slightly easier-to-use tool, we recommend choosing the face roller. These are convenient, their handles allow for easier and faster movement, and they apply the right amount of pressure to the skin. What’s more, there are few mistakes in using the roller, while Gua Sha needs to be used at a specific angle to avoid damage to the skin and get the most benefit.
If you want to shape your face, then Gua Sha would be a better choice than a facial roller. The tool’s variable edges allow it to better follow the contours of your skin, giving you a well-defined jawline and sharp cheekbones over time while promoting blood circulation.
If your goal is to reduce puffiness in your skin, then facial rollers are a better option as they promote better lymphatic drainage and are a great option for reducing morning puffiness while you’re drinking a hot drink.
If you’re looking for something that takes less time, a face roller is ideal. A quick five-minute meeting is enough to reap the benefits of the tool, making it seamless into your busy lifestyle. If you have time (especially during your nighttime routine), Gua Sha is a better option as it takes 10 to 15 minutes to help you get all the benefits. It’s also more relaxing than a jade roller and is a great pamper.
If you want your skin to show a noticeable difference, Gua Sha is a better option as it’s a little tricky to use and they provide noticeable benefits faster than jade rollers.
If you are a beginner, facial rollers are recommended as they are easy to use and have less chance of damaging the skin, along with all the other benefits (like glowing skin, reduced stress, etc.). However, if you’re ready for something more challenging, Gua Sha should be the way to go, as they offer denser benefits and penetrate deeper into the skin than facial rollers.
Last but not least, it is crucial to keep your skin needs in mind when choosing a facial tool. Gua Sha may not be suitable for people with sensitive skin and acne-prone skin. Rollers are a more sensitive treatment that you can choose from. However, if you are someone who wants to target fine lines and loose skin, Gua Sha will offer even better benefits, stimulating blood flow and reducing puffiness.
However, you can always use both tools to get the best bang for your buck!