Face Oil for Gua Sha: A 5-Minute Ritual
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Time to read 9 min
Could five minutes of gentle facial massage, combined with fresh, nutrient-rich skincare, make a difference to how your skin looks and feels? Science offers some interesting clues.
There is something wonderfully simple about gua sha. A smooth stone, a few drops of face oil, and five quiet minutes to yourself.
But behind this ancient technique lies a surprisingly interesting question: what actually happens beneath the skin when we massage our face?
At Niki Newd®, we wanted to look beyond the beauty trends. We explored the research, and compared different techniques to create a gentle, practical routine that makes sense for the skin — including sensitive and mature skin.
And because we believe skincare should offer more than a pleasant sensation, we gave our ritual a little twist.
We call it Vitamin Gua Sha Ritual.
Table of contents
What is gua sha, and does it really work? Understanding the muscles beneath your skin Why the face oil matters just as much as the massage Vitamin Gua Sha: Our fresh approach to facial massage Our 5-minute gua sha facial routine How often should you do gua sha? The finishing touch: Skin Silk Can sensitive skin enjoy gua sha? Does gua sha have anything to do with skin longevity? FAQ — Based on real questions people ask
What is gua sha, and does it really work?
Gua sha has its roots in traditional East Asian medicine. Originally, it involved scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool, often producing temporary red marks.
In brief:
- Facial gua sha may help relax tense facial muscles and temporarily improve the appearance of puffiness.
- Early clinical research has also observed modest changes in facial contours and muscle properties with regular use. However, there is not yet convincing evidence that gua sha permanently lifts the face, removes wrinkles or stimulates meaningful collagen production.
One particularly interesting study, published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology in 2025, followed women using gua sha or a facial roller for 10 minutes, five times a week, over eight weeks. Researchers observed small but measurable changes in facial contours in both groups. Gua sha was also associated with reduced facial muscle stiffness. [1]
The results are encouraging, although the study was small and did not include a no-treatment control group.
For us, the message is simple: gentle facial massage deserves attention, but realistic expectations matter.
Understanding the muscles beneath your skin
Our faces contain an intricate network of muscles working almost constantly.
Some of the most relevant to facial massage include:
- Frontalis: The forehead muscle, involved in raising the eyebrows.
- Orbicularis oculi: The circular muscle around each eye, responsible for blinking and closing the eyelids.
- Zygomaticus: The cheek muscles that help lift the corners of the mouth when we smile.
- Masseter: A strong chewing muscle along the jaw, often associated with jaw tension.
- Orbicularis oris: The circular muscle surrounding the lips.
Unlike many muscles elsewhere in the body, several facial expression muscles insert directly into the skin. Their movements contribute to our expressions and, over time, some of the lines we see in the mirror.
Gua sha works mechanically on the skin and underlying soft tissues. Gentle movements may help create a feeling of relaxation, particularly around areas such as the jaw.
The aim is not to force muscles into a new position. It is to work with the natural contours of the face, comfortably and without unnecessary stretching.
Why the face oil matters just as much as the massage
Imagine trying to move a gua sha stone across dry skin. Rather than gliding, it catches and pulls.
That is precisely what we want to avoid, especially when skin is delicate, dry or sensitive.
A well-chosen face oil for gua sha should provide enough slip for smooth, controlled movements, without requiring strong pressure.
But why settle for slip alone?
At Niki Newd®, we have always approached skincare much as we approach healthy nutrition: variety, quality and freshness matter.
A thoughtfully formulated botanical oil can offer a combination of fatty acids, naturally occurring antioxidants and other plant compounds while also making the massage feel beautifully comfortable.
Look for an oil that offers:
- Good glide: The tool should move without dragging the skin.
- Skin comfort: A formulation that suits your individual skin type.
- A useful lipid profile: Botanical oils can help soften the skin and reduce moisture loss.
- A considered antioxidant profile: Ingredients such as tocopherols and carotenoids are of interest in skincare because of their antioxidant properties.
- Good tolerability: For sensitive skin, fragrance-free options are often a sensible starting point. Remember that natural ingredients are not automatically non-irritating.
- Remember that natural ingredients are not automatically gentle on the skin. Many skincare products, including natural cosmetics, contain fragrance compounds such as linalool and limonene, either added separately or naturally present in essential oils. Both are recognised fragrance allergens, particularly when exposure to air causes them to oxidise into more sensitising compounds.
Vitamin Face Oil for Gua Sha: Our fresh approach to facial massage
We love the idea of turning five minutes of facial massage into a small, nutrient-rich skincare ritual.
Our choice for this is Niki Newd® Graceful Mama Nurturing Oil.
Originally developed as a versatile face and body oil, Graceful Mama has also become one of our favourites for facial massage.
Its combination of grapeseed oil, Finnish rapeseed oil, Finnish sea buckthorn oil and mixed tocopherols offers a naturally rich blend of skin-conditioning lipids and antioxidant compounds.
The ingredients each bring something different.
- Grapeseed oil contributes a lightweight, conditioning oil base and may contain naturally occurring polyphenols, depending on its processing.
- Cold-pressed rapeseed oil provides fatty acids that help soften and condition the skin and also wide variety different antioxidants .
- Sea buckthorn oil, pressed from the whole berry, is particularly interesting for its carotenoids, including beta-carotene — a precursor to vitamin A — and its broader lipid composition.
- Vitamin E, in the form of mixed tocopherols, adds antioxidant support to the formulation.
Together, these ingredients create a lovely combination of glide, comfort and botanical richness.
And importantly, Graceful Mama is made without added fragrance or preservatives, in small batches in Helsinki.
Our 5-minute Vitamin Gua Sha ritual
You only need a smooth gua sha stone, clean skin and Graceful Mama nurturing oil.
Apply enough Graceful Mama to create a comfortable glide. Hold the tool almost flat against your face and move slowly, without pulling or scraping.
1. Jawline — 1 minute
Begin at the center of the chin and glide gently along the jawline towards the ear.
Keep the movement smooth and controlled, particularly around the masseter muscle.
2. Cheeks — 1 minute
Starting beside the corners of the mouth, move diagonally outwards across the cheeks towards the ears.
This movement follows the natural contours of the lower cheeks.
3. Cheekbones and eye area — 1 minute
Begin beside the nose and glide outwards beneath the cheekbone towards the temples.
For the delicate under-eye area, use much lighter pressure and stay on the bone beneath the eye rather than pressing into the eye socket.
Avoid the eyelids and never pull the thin skin around the eyes.
4. Forehead — 1 minute
Starting at the center of the forehead, sweep gently outwards towards the temples.
You can also make light upward movements towards the hairline.
5. Neck — 1 minute
Finish with extremely light, superficial strokes down towards the collarbones.
Avoid pressing over the front of the throat or the large blood vessels on either side of the neck. If you have any vascular or medical concerns, leave out this step.
The whole ritual takes about five minutes. There is no need to rush, press harder or repeat a movement until your skin becomes red.
A useful rule: your skin should feel comfortable throughout. No pain, no bruising, no aggressive scraping.
How often should you do gua sha?
There is no scientifically established perfect frequency.
In the 2025 facial gua sha study, participants used their tools for 10 minutes, five times a week, over eight weeks. [1]
Our five-minute routine is a shorter, practical adaptation.
If your skin tolerates it well, you can enjoy the ritual several times a week. For easily irritated skin, begin with shorter, less frequent sessions.
And don't underestimate the value of consistency over intensity.
The finishing touch: Skin Silk
Once you have finished massaging, gently press a small amount of Niki Newd® Skin Silk Oil Serum onto your skin.
Skin Silk is a beautifully silky botanical oil serum formulated with olive oil, tomato seed oil and Nordic berry seed oils.
Its varied ingredient profile includes fatty acids, vitamin E and naturally occurring antioxidant compounds.
Tomato seed oil is of particular interest for its carotenoid chemistry.
A little Skin Silk is a lovely way to finish the ritual, especially if you enjoy layering different botanical oils.
We think of it as a small vitamin-inspired moment for the skin — gentle movement followed by thoughtful, nutrient-rich skincare.
Can sensitive skin enjoy gua sha?
Yes, some people with sensitive skin may tolerate a very gentle version, but caution matters.
Facial gua sha should not be performed over irritated or inflamed skin, active rosacea flares, broken skin, sunburn, painful blemishes or infections.
It is also important to avoid aggressive pressure and to clean your tool thoroughly after each use.
If you bruise easily, take blood-thinning medication, or have a vascular or bleeding disorder, ask your healthcare professional before trying gua sha. Recent cosmetic procedures also require individual aftercare advice.
The 2025 facial gua sha study excluded participants with certain inflammatory skin conditions, so its results cannot automatically be applied to people with rosacea or eczema. [1, 5]
A good skincare ritual should leave sensitive skin feeling cared for, never challenged.
Does gua sha have anything to do with skin longevity?
Skin longevity is a fascinating field because it encourages us to think about the skin's long-term function, comfort and resilience — not simply the absence of wrinkles.
Healthy-looking skin depends on many factors: a functioning skin barrier, protection from ultraviolet exposure, appropriate skincare and everyday habits.
Facial massage may contribute to comfort and relaxation. Botanical oils can complement a routine by conditioning the skin and supplying lipids and antioxidant compounds.
What we cannot yet say is that gua sha slows biological skin ageing or extends skin longevity.
Still, combining a gentle ritual with daily, well-formulated skincare fits naturally into a thoughtful approach to healthy ageing.
Final Words
Perhaps the most appealing thing about gua sha is how little it asks of us.
Five minutes. A smooth stone. A fresh, carefully formulated face oil.
At Niki Newd®, we believe these moments deserve ingredients chosen for what they bring to the skin, rather than simply how they make a product feel.
With Graceful Mama for its natural glide and botanical richness, followed by a touch of Skin Silk, gua sha becomes a lovely way to connect skin comfort, gentle movement and nutrient-rich care.
No complicated routine. No exaggerated promises.
Just five minutes of something genuinely worth making time for.
Love, Kirsi
Fresh by nature. Proven by science. → Graceful Mama product page
FAQ — Based on real questions people ask
What is the best face oil for gua sha?
Choose a face oil that allows smooth movement without tugging. Skin tolerance, texture and formulation quality are more important than any single fashionable ingredient. Fragrance-free botanical oil blends can be a good option for sensitive skin.
Can I use a gua sha comb instead of a traditional stone?
Yes, provided it has smooth, rounded edges. Use the broad edge for facial strokes rather than applying concentrated pressure with the comb teeth. Avoid digging into facial muscles or pressing around the eyes and neck.
Should I use facial acupressure points during gua sha?
Traditional practices sometimes include acupressure points, but there is not enough direct evidence to recommend particular facial points for wrinkle reduction or lifting. Gentle massage around the temples can feel relaxing without requiring strong pressure or claims about specific acupoints.
Should I use a serum before or after gua sha?
An oil that provides sufficient glide works well during the massage. A serum can be applied afterwards if desired. The sequence should be chosen for skin comfort rather than an assumption that massage forces ingredients deeper into the skin.
Ahn, S.-H. ym. (2025). Comparative Effects of Facial Roller and Gua Sha Massage on Facial Contour, Muscle Tone, and Skin Elasticity: Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 24(6), e70236. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.70236
Nielsen, A. ym. (2007). The Effect of Gua Sha Treatment on the Microcirculation of Surface Tissue: A Pilot Study in Healthy Subjects. Explore, 3(5), 456–466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2007.06.001
Li, B. S., Cary, J. H. & Maibach, H. I. (2019). Should We Instruct Patients to Rub Topical Agents into Skin? The Evidence. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 30(4), 328–332. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2018.1527997
Kaushik, V. & Keck, C. M. (2021). Influence of Mechanical Skin Treatment (Massage, Ultrasound, Microdermabrasion, Tape Stripping and Microneedling) on Dermal Penetration Efficacy of Chemical Compounds. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 169, 29–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpb.2021.09.003
Nielsen, A., Kligler, B. & Koll, B. S. (2012). Safety Protocols for Gua Sha (Press-Stroking) and Baguan (Cupping). Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 20(5), 340–344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2012.05.004
Dittmar, D. & Schuttelaar, M. L. A. (2019). Contact Sensitization to Hydroperoxides of Limonene and Linalool: Results of Consecutive Patch Testing and Clinical Relevance. Contact Dermatitis, 80(2), 101–109. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.13137
