The Aquamarina Guide to Jade Rollers and Gua Sha Tools
Jade Rollers and Gua Sha are made of natural gemstone, and are used to give an effective facial massage – with lots of benefits to give you beautiful skin! Although we are calling them Jade rollers, they can be made from any strong, natural gemstones – other popular versions include Rose Quartz or Opalite. They have similar benefits regardless of which stone they are made from – however each gemstone has different spiritual meanings and benefits. They are manual so no chargers needed, making them easy to give you a bit of self-care anywhere you go!
History
Jade rollers have increased in popularity over the past few years and are a much-loved staple amongst beauty and skincare enthusiasts and experts, but they but they are actually a centuries-old Chinese beauty secret! They are said to have originated during the Qing Dynasty. The Chinese Empress Dowager Chi is said to have used one, and there is a beautiful example on display in the Qing Dynasty Palace Museum in Beijing.
Gua Sha techniques and tools are even older! They originated during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) when they were used as part of Chinse traditional medicine, closely linked to the belief in Chi or Qi, the energy that flows through the body. The technique of scraping the Gua Sha along the skin allows any areas of blocked energy to be dissipated, reducing pain and inflammation.
Roller or Gua Sha?
Jade Rollers and Gua Sha provide many similar benefits – lymphatic draining, boosting circulation and blood flow, cooling and soothing skin and improve skin tone, elasticity and texture. Jade rollers are slightly easier to use, less of a specialised technique is required. Gua sha can provide a deeper pressure, and a more effective lifting and sculpting result, as well as relieving tension more effectively.
Our advice is to try both tools and with different techniques and styles, and find what works for you! For example you may want to use your jade roller in the morning for a quick facial massage, and your gua sha in the evening for a deeper facial massage when you have more time and for your skin to reap all the benefits as you sleep.
So, what are the benefits?
Using your tools regularly and consistently can have so many benefits for your skin...
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Help skincare products penetrate deeper into the skin for enhanced benefits
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Improve circulation, for a bright and glowing complexion
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Decrease puffiness
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Cool and soothe skin
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Improve skin tone, elasticity and texture
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Lifting and sculpting
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Relaxation and self-care
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Relieving tension in the facial and neck muscles
What is lymphatic drainage?
Lymph is what carries toxins, bacteria and waste around the body to the lymph nodes for filtering and eventually disposal from the body. We can help this process by using techniques to encourage the lymph from parts of the body towards the lymph nodes. Here is a good image of where lymph nodes can be found on the face and neck – so when using your tools you always want to be working towards these.
How to use
Keep your tools in the fridge for a cooling effect on your skin.
Use with your favourite face oil or serum - AM + PM as part of your skincare routine. Some skin care experts advise using with a toner or just with water, this is fine too, experiment and see what you prefer.
Top Tip – do this on a soft surface, to avoid the heartbreaking moment of breaking one of your tools by dropping them on a hard floor!
Jade Roller
Start with your neck and work your way up your face. Roll up and out towards the cheeks from your chin, or from the middle outwards on the forehead. The smaller roller can be used for your eyes and around your mouth. Always roll one way for lymphatic drainage to be effective, never roll back and forth.
Gua Sha
Scrape the gua sha along your skin working towards your ears. Keep the gua sha pretty much flat your skin, using the long edge along areas like your cheeks and forehead, the curved dip to sculpt your jawline, and the small end around your eyes.
Top Tip - Your tools can also be used on your body as well as face, with the same techniques to relieve any muscle tension!
There are LOTS of videos on YouTube, showing difference techniques. Try a few different ones and be mindful whilst using your tools, paying attention to how your skin and facial muscles feel during and after. Can you feel tension in particular areas? Do certain techniques help ease this pressure more effectively?
Our products
We have a beautiful range of Facial Roller and Gua Sha sets in the traditional Jade, Rose Quartz and Opalite. As well as being gorgeous, the stones have spiritual meanings and benefits too.
Jade is a protective stone, and brings harmony. Jade attracts good luck and friendship, soothes the mind, and releases negative thoughts.
Rose Quartz is the stone of love, trust and harmony, promoting deep inner healing and feelings of peace.
Opalite properties include improving communication and giving strength in verbalising our hidden feelings.
All our sets come in a beautiful box, and make a great gift too! You can always get in touch with us at info@aquamarinabeauty.com for any advice and questions you may have.
We would love to see photos and videos of you using your rollers and gua sha, please share with us on insta @aquamarinabeauty_