As the head of the wellness coach team here at Find It Health, I’ll discuss the difference between facial Gua Sha and Jade rollers as skincare practices.

We conduct in-depth research at Find It Health to ensure that the information you receive is factual and reliable.

Here, I will discuss the differences between the jade roller and the facial Gua Sha, their benefits, drawbacks, and much more.

Facial Gua Sha Vs Jade Roller

Gua Sha is a skincare product. Usually, a flat, smooth, kidney-shaped stone or crystal is small enough to be held in one hand. According to Chinese medicine, it’s scraped across the skin to help relieve pain and tension and boost the appearance of some facial features.

It’s derived from the term ‘Gua’ – scrape, and ‘Sha’ – petechiae – tiny red rashes.

On the other hand, Jade rolling is a Chinese technique where a jade roller – a handheld facial massage tool, is rolled across the face as part of a skincare routine. Facial rollers have a handle and a polished oval stone (mainly Jade, amethyst, or rose quartz) on one end.

As already evident, both tools are skincare products. Their appearance and roles in the regular skincare regimen are what differ.

The materials used for both facial tools are unique rounded stones including:

1. Jade stone – it calms and cools the skin by balancing out the energy.
2. Rose-quartz – it clears toxins and negative energy. It is best for sensitive skin.
3. Amethyst – cools the skin by producing negative ions and tightening the pores.

Which Tool Is Better?

None is better than the other. It only depends on the desired results. The decision on the best tool to go with depends on some factors:

1. The purpose for which you want a facial massage.
2. The available time.
3. Your expertise.
4. Your skin texture.

Occasions When Gua Sha Would Be the Best Choice

• Gua Sha will help you improve the appearance of your facial features and give you deep facial sculpting, for example, a more pronounced jawline and cheekbones.
• If you want to clear fine lines or tack in loose skin, this is the best choice for you.
• For the best Gua Sha results, do it when you have ample time. Around 10-20 min. It’s best when done at night so your skin has all night to recover from the petechiae caused by the procedure.
• If you want to alleviate pain or release tension on your skin surface, this is the best choice for you.
• It’s a go-to choice if you want to depuff your face. The pressure exerted on your skin pushes most of the lymph fluid back into the lymph node, relaxing your facial muscles.
• This facial massage requires a professional or an experienced person to perform it. For best results, make sure you hold the Gua Sha at an angle of 45 degrees.

When to go with a Jade Roller

• Best if you are new to skincare routines because it’s a bit gentle. It’s advisable to always start with less rough procedures like jade rolling, as you may not know how your skin will react.
• If your skin is sensitive to skin care products for acne-prone skin, a facial roller, especially ice jade rollers, would be the best choice.
• If you aren’t an expert in performing facial massage, jade rolling would be your best choice. A Jade roller is much easier to use as there is no right or wrong way to use it, as opposed to the Gua Sha must be held at a certain angle to avoid bruising the skin.
• It’s also a choice if you want to reduce facial puffiness because it boosts lymph drainage and leaves your face looking firm, smooth, and glowing.
• If you have limited time, then this is your go-to option. 5-minutes of facial rolling is enough to give you the results you are looking for. It’s an option to incorporate into your quick morning skincare routine.

Benefits Of Using Gua Sha Tools

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Gua Sha has several benefits due to its ability to increase blood circulation, improve lymph drainage, and balance energy distribution.

Below is a list of benefits of Gua Sha:

Improved blood circulation and collagen production

Like any message procedure, scraping your face with Gua Sha would boost blood flow in your face and neck muscles, improving skin health.

Lymphatic drainage

If your lymphatic flow is poor, your skin is likely to get puffy, swollen, and even develop acne. Gua Sha is a lymphatic drainage massage that leaves your skin feeling fresh and smooth.

Clearing acne scars

As you do the facial massage routine with a Gua Sha, you increase blood flow to the face to nourish the skin and boost the healing process. Sequentially, the acne scars quickly fade away.

Reduced puffiness

As you use Gua Sha, the lymph fluid drains away. Your skin becomes tight and smooth.

Getting rid of wrinkles and fine lines

As there is optimized blood flow with this facial massage technique, with time, the stiff facial muscles relax, and aging signs recede.

Contouring and sculpting the jawline and the cheekbones

If you incorporate Gua Sha in your daily skincare routine, you will notice a more defined contouring of the cheekbones and the jawline with time.

Relieving tension

The deeper Gua Sha massage can reach deep into the muscles and release any trapped tension.

Alleviate neck pain

The improved circulation has several healing properties that help reduce pain.

Benefits Of A Face Roller

The beauty benefits of jade rolling are quite similar to those of Gua Sha because they both have a bearing on facial massage techniques.

Improved blood circulation

This 5-minute facial massage increases vasodilation and consequently improves blood flow in the facial muscles. A daily jade roller routine would be best for the maximum benefits.

Reduces puffiness

As you do a facial rolling, you push the lymph fluid away into the lymph nodes leaving your skin smooth and firm.

Product penetration and distribution

Unlike in Gua Sha, a facial roller will push and spread the skincare ingredients evenly as it glides across the skin.

Reducing wrinkles

One of the visible benefits of using facial rollers is clearing wrinkles and aging symptoms. If you make facial rolling a daily routine, you will notice this with time.

Relieves stress

Jade rolling relieves stress and has soothing effects.

Drawbacks Of Each Tool

Facial Roller

• A Jade roller routine cannot help with deep-set wrinkles. The pressure exerted during jade rolling is minimal and may not be effective for such wrinkles.
• The effects of facial rolling are temporal. To enjoy the benefits of the jade roller routine, you must be consistent.
• Jade rollers are porous. You must keep this tool clean as the pores can become a breeding site for bacteria and increase the risk of skin infections.
• There are many counterfeits of Jade rollers. Be careful where you source your roller because fake rollers like; plastic, glass, and wooden rollers have flooded the market.

Facial Gua Sha

• It causes the rupture of capillaries close to the skin surface that appear as red-purple rash-like dots after the procedure, which could be sour. They take up to a week to heal.
• There is a risk of skin breakage. It’s safe to sanitize your tool before using it to avoid infection in case of skin damage.
• It might be unsafe for some people like those who: bruise easily, are under blood-thinning medications, have deep vein thrombosis, and have an open wound, tumor, or an implant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Jade Roller or Gua Sha?

The two are best for different situations. Before you choose either of them, consider the factors discussed above.

Is Gua Sha better than Rollers?

It all depends on the desired results. Facial rollers are a more sensitive option for facial massage. If you are after sculpting your face and tacking in saggy skin, Gua Sha will give you a long-lasting effect.

Should you use a Gua Sha or Jade Roller first?

It’s advisable to start with jade rollers if you are a newbie to the facial massage routine. If your skin withstands the pressure of a jade roller, then go for Gua Sha.

Can a Jade Roller do the same thing as a Gua Sha Tool?

Not in its entirety. A Gua Sha can achieve most jade roller benefits. However, there are some things a Gua Sha can do and a jade roller cannot.

Which is better, Jade Roller or Derma Roller?

Jade rollers are good for skin relaxation and smoothening, and stress relief. On the other hand, derma rollers are best for skin radiance.

Conclusion

Our research team here at Find It Health has conducted extensive research that demonstrates the benefits of both Gua Sha and jade rollers.

Even though Gua Sha has more long-lasting effects, jade rolling contributes to a healthy glow as well. Some people also do a Full body Gua Sha as contemporary medicine for conditions like; hypertension and migraines. Remember to consult your doctor before using either of these massage tools or techniques.