Free tool · Beauty
Gua sha routine builder
Tell us about your skin, what you would like from gua sha and how much time you have, and get a routine with every step in order: timings, stroke counts, pressure and the right oil. Built by Holly, our beauty technician, from our own gua sha guides.
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The three rules that matter most
Whatever routine you get, three things matter more than anything else. Use plenty of slip, so the tool glides instead of dragging. Hold the tool almost flat, at about 15 degrees, so the long edge lies along your face. And press lightly, about as much as you would to spread a thick cream. A soft pink flush that fades within minutes is normal; red dots are not.
How the builder decides
- Order: neck first, then jaw, cheeks, under-eye and brow from the center outward, and the neck again to finish. The 3-minute express version keeps the oil, neck and jaw steps only.
- Strokes: 3 to 5 slow strokes per area, 3 for the delicate under-eye. Sensitive skin gets 3 everywhere, with extra light pressure.
- Up to 10 minutes: the same strokes, done slower, one stroke per slow exhale. Longer sessions do not add benefit, so the builder never adds more pressure or more strokes.
- Oil: a richer balm for dry skin, a light jojoba or squalane oil for oily or breakout-prone skin, and a patch test first for sensitive skin.
- Morning or evening: mornings end with moisturizer and sunscreen; evenings follow cleansing and skip the nights you use an exfoliating acid.
- Active flare: no routine. Broken, inflamed or sunburned skin needs to settle first.
These rules come from our timed gua sha routine and our plain-language guide to gua sha. Where those guides give a range, the builder uses the gentler end.
What gua sha can and cannot do
Facial gua sha is a light massage. It may make your face look less puffy for a while, and slow strokes paired with slow breathing make a calm few minutes, which is a perfectly good reason to do it. It does not lift, slim or reshape the face, and it does not "drain toxins". Judge your routine by how it feels.
Choosing a tool? Stone type matters less than smooth edges: a heart or wing shape has the long edge, the notch and the rounded end you need. Our gua sha tool guide compares the materials honestly, with the oil to go with them. For the breathing side, our breathing pacer can keep a slow count while you work.
Keep reading
- Gua sha routine: a 5-minute step-by-step plan: the full routine with a weekly plan
- Gua sha: what it is, what it can do and who should skip it
- Best gua sha tools: jade, rose quartz, bian stone and steel compared
- Facial yoga: 5 exercises
- Beauty sleep: night-time rituals
- Winter skincare for dry skin
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct order for a gua sha routine?
Oil your face and neck, open the neck with a few downward strokes, then work the jaw, cheeks, under-eye and brow from the center of the face outward, and finish with downward strokes on the neck again. Use 3 to 5 slow strokes per area.
How long should a gua sha routine take?
About five minutes for the full face and neck. On busy days, a shorter version of about two and a half minutes (oil, neck, jaw, neck) is fine. Going longer than 10 minutes does not add benefit and makes irritation more likely.
What oil should I use for gua sha?
Any facial oil, rich serum or balm your skin tolerates, used generously so the tool glides. Dry skin does well with a richer balm. If your skin is oily or breakout-prone, a light oil such as plain jojoba or a squalane-based oil is a better choice than coconut oil.
Is gua sha better in the morning or at night?
Both work. In the morning it suits a face that looks puffy after sleep, followed by moisturizer and sunscreen. In the evening it fits after cleansing as part of a slower wind-down. Pick the time you will actually keep, and skip it on evenings you use an exfoliating acid.
Who should not do gua sha?
Skip it on broken skin, an active rash, inflamed acne, a rosacea flare or sunburn. After fillers, Botox, a peel or laser, ask your provider how long to wait. If you take blood thinners or bruise easily, check with your doctor before using any scraping tool.
Want to share or link to this tool? You are welcome to. A link to https://www.pureholisticwellness.com/tools/gua-sha-routine works, and any settings you choose travel with the link.