Gua Sha: A Face-Saving, Two-Minute Ritual

We're big fans of this age-old practice.

Feb 16, 2026

Gua Sha—a staple of Traditional Chinese Medicine—has been practiced for centuries: While you’ve likely seen the tools before, we frequently hear from the MECCA Apothecary floor that people feel intimidated to use them. Below, you’ll find a simple diagram outlining the process, though feel free to mix it up: However you do it, Gua Sha feels fantastic and can make skin feel firmer and less puffy. (You’ll want to pair your tool with a nice face oil to decrease friction.)

Step 1:

Smooth 2-5 drops of face oil over skin, as you’ll want some slip. We’re partial to kit: Skinkind Face Oil, but included some other options we love below.

Step 2:

Applying a light-to-medium amount of pressure, take slow strokes toward the perimeter of your face and neck. Follow the numbers on the face chart in order—repeating on both sides of the face. This helps de-puff and relieves muscular tension.