We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Beauty Products Skincare The 9 Best Gua Sha Tools We Tested for Radiance-Boosting Benefits After weeks of testing, we highly recommend the Face Gym Multisculpt, plus eight other facial tools By Sophie Dodd Sophie Dodd Sophie Dodd is a freelance writer for PEOPLE. She previously worked as an editorial assistant at PEOPLE from 2018 to 2022. People Editorial Guidelines Published on February 22, 2024 07:15AM EST In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Others We Tried You'll Also Need Things to Consider How We Tested FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People / Kevin Liang What do people who swear by monthly facials and people who rarely wash their face have in common? They could all benefit from using facial tools at home. No matter what your skincare routine is, incorporating facial tools like gua sha is a way to further the efficacy of the products that you do use. A gua sha tool can also offer a host of radiance-boosting benefits to your skin, from helping to sculpt and define your jawline to subtly smoothing out wrinkles and reducing puffiness. “A notable advantage and my favorite benefit from using a gua sha is the promotion of lymphatic drainage and improved circulation,” says Rachel Liverman, the CEO and founder of Glowbar, a results-driven facial studio. However, these effects aren’t always designed to last; she also points out that the effects of a gua sha are typically “temporary and short-lasting.” Armored with our research, the PEOPLE Tested team tried 18 gua sha tools and facial stones in order to see which had the most notable and lasting results on our skin. We tested them out in the real world, spending hours over four weeks to see which ones made a difference in terms of radiance, depuffing, and sculpting, as well as how easily they fit into our daily self-care routines. During the testing period, we carefully considered the experience of applying the tool and noted the immediate and any lingering effects. Those that earned the highest scores earned a spot on this list. Read on for the best gua sha tools for rejuvenated and radiant skin, whether you’re looking to sculpt your jawline, depuff your under eye area, or boost the efficacy of other skincare products. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Face Gym MultiSculpt at Sephora $66 Jump to Review Best Overall, Runner Up: Wildling Empress Stone at Credo Beauty $65 Jump to Review Best Budget: Pink Moon Gua Sha Facial Tool at Pinkmoon.co Jump to Review Best Budget, Runner Up: Daily Concepts Gua Sha Facial Jade Jump to Review Best for Scalp: Ginger Chi Jade Gua Sha Tool at Amazon $23 Jump to Review Best for Acne-Prone Skin: SALE Sacheu Beauty Gua Sha at Amazon $40 $32 Jump to Review Best for Acne-Prone Skin, Less Expensive: Kitsch Stainless Steel Gua Sha at Amazon $12 Jump to Review Most Versatile: Yina Bian Stone Gua Sha at Amazon $85 Jump to Review Best Advanced: Lanshin Sculpting Spoon at Lanshin.com Jump to Review Best Overall Face Gym MultiSculpt PHOTO: Sephora $66 at Sephora View on Facegym.com View on Spacenk.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.5/5 Effectiveness 4.5/5 Quality 5/5 Overall Results 5/5 Pros Six unique edges provide a variety of ways to make the most of this contouring tool. It's made of hypoallergenic stainless steel, which is easy to clean. The material stays cool long after you remove it from the fridge. Cons Learning how to maneuver all six edges requires a bit of time and effort. We’re all familiar with those who frequent the gym to maintain their physical fitness, but what about those who want to improve their skin fitness? Face Gym is designed with that in mind, and their proprietary MultiSculpt tool provides several ways to mimic the brand’s in-studio workouts. There are five sides: a long edge, which helps de-puff, contour, and aid lymphatic drainage, plus a grip that sculpts and releases tension, a medium edge to define cheekbones, teeth to boost circulation and plump fine lines, and a short edge to lift and minimize tension along the eyes and eyebrows. Each edge offers another way to achieve spa-like benefits from home, and helps skin to more readily absorb moisturizer and other serums. We love that this one is made from hypoallergenic and recyclable stainless steel, which creates a cooling sensation on skin that our tester found pleasant and subtly effective. Not only does she wakes up less puffy in the morning, she uses it every night for its super relaxing benefits and because it's so easy to maintain. Material: Stainless steel | Key Features: Plumping, sculpting, depuffing PHOTO: People / Courtney Kassel PHOTO: People / Courtney Kassel Best Overall, Runner Up Wildling Empress Stone PHOTO: Wildling $65 at Credo Beauty View on Wildling.com $69 at Bluemercury.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Quality 5/5 Overall Results 4.9/5 Pros We felt and noticed an immediate difference with this stone, which sculpted our skin with shockingly impressive results. Bian stone is known for its anti-aging and rejuvenating properties. It effectively sculpted the jawline, drastically improving the appearance of our tester's "double chin." Cons The stone is fragile and needs to be treated with care to avoid any damage. It is relatively more expensive than most others we tested (but think the results are worth it!). This gua sha stone is jaw-droppingly impressive — it’s better equipped to lift and tighten your jawline than any other at-home tool we’ve tried. Our tester “felt a difference immediately,” noting that “it got deeper than any other gua sha I’ve ever used.” After using it three times, she saw a visual difference in her face: "This anti-aging stone rewinded time and gave me a jawline that I used to have in highschool!" The best-selling stone was thought up by Wildling’s founders, who boast years of expertise in the field as an acupuncturist, holistic esthetician and an herbalist. It’s crafted from sustainably sourced Bian stone, which boasts over 40 minerals famed for their rejuvenating and antioxidant benefits, including a measurable ultrasound pulsation, far-infrared wave and negative ions, which promote a general sense of well being. Featuring a comb edge, long edge, pointed tip, U-edge and a short edge, it’s a dream to work this stone across the face to immediately relieve tension, sculpt your jawline and cheekbones, lift the skin, soften crow's feet and smile lines, and reduce puffiness. The results go beyond the usual short-term effects of gua sha — our tester saw a huge difference in her jawline and neck, raving that it’s been the only product she's tried that helps smooth out her "double chin" and makes her look drastically younger. Material: Bian stone | Key Features: Sculpts skin, minimizes wrinkles, brightens complexion, plumps skin PHOTO: People / Jaclyn Mastropasqua PHOTO: People / Jaclyn Mastropasqua What Is Bian Stone? Bian stone originated 65 million years ago in Shandong, China, after a meteorite strike. Celebrated for its healing properties, it has historically been used in traditional Chinese medicine for its ability to reduce inflammation and pain as well as promote relaxation and stimulate circulation. Best Budget Pink Moon Gua Sha Facial Tool PHOTO: Pink Moon View on Pinkmoon.co $40 at Ecosmetics.com $40 at Verishop.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.8/5 Effectiveness 4.6/5 Quality 5/5 Overall Results 4.5/5 Pros The Pink Moon gua sha tool helped our skincare products better absorb into our skin. When combined with an ice roller, it noticeably reduced any puffiness under our eyes. This gua sha is more lightweight than some other options we tested. Cons There's nothing significant we disliked about this tool. Lightweight yet sturdy, this delicate rose quartz tool tool is perfectly shaped for a variety of skin-soothing rituals: Our tester found that it was easy to understand when to use the flat side versus the toothed edge, adding that the brand’s instructional video made it easy to follow along. Our tester loved adding this step into her skincare routine, noting that it became a restful moment that she looked forward to each day. While performing lymphatic drainage techniques, we noticed that the heart-opening crystal helped reduce sinus pressure and left eyes looking brighter and less tired than before. When combined with an ice roller, the depuffing effects were even more noticeable. Material: Rose quartz | Key Features: Decreases puffiness, improves lymphatic drainage, relieves muscle tension, improves skin elasticity PHOTO: People / Jennifer Tisdel PHOTO: People / Jennifer Tisdel Best Budget, Runner Up Daily Concepts Gua Sha Facial Jade PHOTO: Ulta View on Ulta $16 $14 at Amazon $22 at Target Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Effectiveness 3.5/5 Quality 5/5 Overall Results 4/5 Pros Our skin felt refreshed and hydrated after each use, thanks to the tool helping our skincare products penetrate more effectively. The smooth, flat tool is easy to maneuver and incorporate into your daily routine. This budget-friendly option is suitable for beginners or anyone needing an easy-to-use introductory gua sha stone. Cons The effects are gradual and very subtle — this doesn’t dramatically sculpt or smooth fine lines in the short term. (However, pairing it with an ice roller could help.) This smooth and sleek gua sha is made of Xiyuan Jade, which is designed to stimulate the skin in order to boost radiance. During testing, we found it easy to maneuver at all different angles, allowing us to easily contour our face with the toothed edge and promote lymphatic drainage in the process. We noticed that the ritual aspect of sweeping the 4.5-inch stone across our skin helped to bring out our natural glow, as it allowed our go-to serums and oils to better penetrate the skin. Our tester regularly uses gua sha, and found this one straightforward and pleasant to use thanks to its lightweight feel and cooling effect. While it doesn’t produce drastic after-effects, it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to elevate their self-care ritual with an indulgent step that will gradually help to improve their skin’s glow. Material: Xiyuan jade | Key Features: Brightening, lymphatic draining, smooths fine lines PHOTO: People / Marie Harris PHOTO: People / Marie Harris Best for Scalp Ginger Chi Jade Gua Sha Tool PHOTO: Amazon $23 at Amazon View on Gingerchi.com $30 at Etsy Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.5/5 Effectiveness 4.5/5 Quality 5/5 Overall Results 4.5/5 Pros We saw instant results with this tool, notably in terms of easing puffiness around the jawline and eye area. The instructions included with this gua sha are detailed and easy to follow, even for those new to using the tool. It comes with a sensitive skin-friendly facial oil to help glide the product across your face. Massaging your scalp with the comb edge helps reduce fatigue and stimulate hair growth. Cons While we found this easy to grip, we wished it was even larger in order to provide further stability. The effects are noticeable, but temporary. Crafted from exceptionally high-quality Xiyuan Jade, this gorgeous tool combines all of the benefits of a classic gua sha with a comb edge that can be used to further stimulate the scalp and face. During testing, we immediately noticed the quality of the matte jade stone, which never absorbed any product and was easy to clean with soap and water. The ergonomic design was effortless to grip, although we’d love to use an even larger size to see if it offered even better maneuverability. It allows several different ways to use the stone, from sweeping the convex edge in short strokes under the eyes to relieve crows feet, to gliding the indent along the chin and jawline for sculpting. We were most enamored by the comb edge, which massages acupoints and meridian channels along the scalp to promote relaxation and hair growth. You can even gently use the comb on your face, which helps to improve circulation and cell turnover to bring out your natural glow. We found that our face looked lighter and less puffy with consistent use, but that — as with most gua sha — the effects aren’t cumulative, so you’ll need to be diligent if you want to maintain a sleeker jawline and puff-free cheeks. Material: Xiyuan jade | Key Features: Smooths fine lines, lifting, tightening, massaging PHOTO: People / Emily Woodruff PHOTO: People / Emily Woodruff Best for Acne-Prone Skin Sacheu Beauty Gua Sha PHOTO: Sacheu Beauty $40 $32 at Amazon $32 at Ulta View on Sacheu.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.5/5 Effectiveness 4.7/5 Quality 5/5 Overall Results 4.5/5 Pros Durable stainless steel is anti-bacterial and more durable than jade or rose quartz. It’s crafted from recycled material and is itself 100 percent recyclable. The stainless steel is naturally cold, so there’s no need to store it in the fridge. Cons We found the design a bit tricky to comfortably maneuver around the forehead. Those with sensitive or acne-prone skin will love this gua sha from Sacheu, which is made from antibacterial stainless steel that prevents any bacteria from building up on the tool. After a bit of trial and error, we found this easy to maneuver, playing around with the different notches during testing in order to contour our face, jaw, cheekbones, eyebrows, under-eye area, and forehead. We love that the material is self-cooling, so there’s no need to stash it in the freezer — although we did, and it remained pleasantly cold without ever feeling too chilly to use. Our tester found that it was easy to incorporate the brief ritual into her skincare routine, saying that it felt very meditative and is something she’s continued to do on a daily basis. She observed that its lightweight, durable construction makes it a great portable addition to any travel skincare routine. Our tester said she could bring this on vacation without worrying about whether it added too much bulk to her makeup bag. Working the gua sha around the face also helped to penetrate serum and facial oils into our tester's skin, which instantly boosted her complexion. “I do feel that it helped keep my skin moisturized and more youthful,” she said, adding that it was a game changer as the weather cooled off going into winter. Material: Stainless steel | Key Features: Relieves muscle tension, enhances contour, minimizes the appearance of wrinkles PHOTO: People / Meredith McCue PHOTO: People / Meredith McCue Best for Acne-Prone Skin, Less Expensive Kitsch Stainless Steel Gua Sha PHOTO: Kitsch $12 at Amazon $27 at Target View on Mykitsch.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Quality 5/5 Overall Results 4.5/5 Pros The hypoallergenic material is easy to clean and safe to use on sensitive skin. It’s sleek and sturdy — we felt as if it would stand up better in the long run than some potentially more fragile stone options. We saw immediate results, with noticeable lift along the jawline and cheekbones, as well as less noticeable dark circles. Cons We would love if it came with a cover or stand to help keep the tool clean when not in use. Those with acne-prone skin will appreciate that this gua sha is crafted from hypoallergenic, high-quality stainless steel, making it a breeze to clean and less likely to cause breakouts compared to a porous stone. Whenever we cleaned it during testing, it felt sparkling clean afterwards and there was never any oily residue left on it. After watching a few YouTube tutorials on how to use it, our tester found that the tool was straightforward to maneuver and that the results were immediately visible, with noticeable tightness and lift along her jawline and cheekbones. Her dark circles were also lighter and less puffy in the mornings after gua sha. We loved how soothing and effective this was with every use, helping to smooth our tester's skin in a matter of minutes. It’s also a conveniently portable size, which means you can toss it into your dopp kit to keep your face puff-free on the go. To that end, we’d love a protective cover in order to protect the tool against potential bacteria when we aren't using it. Material: Stainless steel | Key Features: Massaging, promotes circulation, stimulates pressure points PHOTO: People / Joy Kim PHOTO: People / Joy Kim Most Versatile Yina Bian Stone Gua Sha PHOTO: Yina $85 at Amazon View on Yina.co Our Ratings Ease of Use 4/5 Effectiveness 4.5/5 Quality 5/5 Overall Results 4/5 Pros Bian stone is made up of dozens of minerals that promote a host of benefits for your skin and your energy. This gua sha is large enough to use on both your face and your body, making this tool especially versatile. We saw lasting improvement in the jawline area, which slimmed over the testing period. Cons The stone is a bit large to maneuver comfortably, and can slip around in your hand once you’ve applied facial oil or serum. Those with sensitive or acne-prone skin may find that the stone can cause more breakouts. Each Yina Bian Stone Gua Sha is handcrafted in partnership with a woman-owned establishment in Shandong, China, where the stone originated 65 million years ago. It’s historically been used for its healing properties, and this gua sha channels them as it helps to reduce puffiness and improve circulation in your face and body. It’s larger than most palm-sized stones, making it an excellent option for anyone looking to use the tool on broader areas. To use it, you simply stroke it in the same direction 5-10 times, working your way across your target areas one section at a time. Beyond the skincare benefits, we found this to be a relaxing and rejuvenating addition to our self-care routine. Our tester noticed a lasting improvement to her jawline, which slimmed over the course of the testing period. As someone with acne-prone skin who was using a gua sha for the first time, she noted that her frequent use of the tool seemed to prompt a breakout on her face, so this may not be the most suitable for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. Material: Bian stone | Key Features: Tones skin, smooths texture, depuffs, improves circulation PHOTO: People / Tina DiRosa PHOTO: People / Tina DiRosa The 6 Best Facial Cleansing Brushes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best Advanced Lanshin Sculpting Spoon PHOTO: Lanshin View on Lanshin.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.5/5 Effectiveness 4/5 Quality 5/5 Overall Results 4/5 Pros This sculpting spoon is perfect for precise application along the cheek, undereye, jaw and sinus area. It’s a travel-friendly size that’s easy to bring with you wherever you go. The handle is easy to grip and hold, even when you’re using it with slippery face oils. The rose quartz material is visually appealing, which enhances the ritual aspect of using it. Cons You’ll need to use a thicker oil or moisturizer in order to keep this gliding smoothly across the skin. There’s a learning curve to figuring out how to use it effectively. If you regularly practice gua sha, you’ll love adding this sculpting spoon into your routine. It’s ideal for targeting smaller areas like underneath the eyes and along the sides of the nose, while also draining puffiness and sinus congestion. Beginners will find that there’s a brief learning curve to using it, although Lanshin provides a video tutorial to guide your movements. Once we started to get the hang of it, we appreciated how easy it was to grip the long handle and how effortless it was to glide it across our skin when paired with a thick moisturizer or facial oil. Our tester immediately noticed that her face looked slimmer and less puffy along her cheeks and jawline after using the tool for about ten minutes. While the effects were temporary, she found them to be notable enough to make it worth the effort — plus, the experience of using the spoon felt like a comforting massage and helped to relax the muscles in her face. Material: Rose quartz | Key Features: Sculpting, draining puffiness, sinus congestion, jaw release PHOTO: People / Shannon Stubbs PHOTO: People / Shannon Stubbs Others We Tried Skin Gym Jade Sculpty Heart Gua Sha Tool: We loved the contouring of this jade stone from Skin Gym, which our tester found easy to glide across her face while contouring her cheekbones and jawline. She saw subtle and temporary effects, particularly in terms of reduced puffiness around her cheeks. Ultimately, we rated this gua sha tool highly — our only gripe was that it didn’t create as noticeable or as lasting definition around our cheekbones and jawlines as the others which made this list. Herbivore Rose Quartz Gua Sha: This rose quartz gua sha tool was perfectly sized to provide a relaxing and rejuvenating facial massage. We found the stone to be high quality and easy to clean, but didn’t notice any real results in terms of sculpting or reducing puffiness and fine lines. While we think it’s a great choice for those looking to incorporate a little more self care into their routine (and improve lymphatic drainage), it’s not the best option for those hoping to see more obvious results. You'll Also Need When using a gua sha tool, it's important to apply an oil, serum, or moisturizer before starting your routine in order to reduce dragging and tugging of the skin. We've tested 36 face oils to determine which ones are worth your money and actually provide the benefits they claim — but we recommend our Best Overall winner below. Acure Radically Rejuvenating Rose Argan Oil Amazon Buy on Amazon This face oil by Acure is a PEOPLE Tested favorite. Not only is it relatively affordable, it earned top marks in every testing category during our trials. We found it to effectively reduce the appearance of fine lines and eliminate dry patches, even in the middle of winter. While it's rich and thick, it wasn't greasy, but there's still plenty of slip so your gua sha tool can effortlessly glide across your skin. It's also safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Things to Consider Before Buying Gua Sha Tools What It's Made From When it comes to selecting a gua sha material, there isn’t much proof that certain stones offer substantially more benefits. While Bian stone is known for its healing properties, most jade or rose quartz stones will be able to achieve similar effects. Stainless steel boasts antimicrobial properties, which is great for those with sensitive skin. Vargas suggests picking “whatever you feel comfortable using,” noting that “a contour stone helps to fit the face better.” What You're Targeting Knowing your target areas is key before purchasing a gua sha, as delicate tools that can easily be used on the under eye area won’t be suitable for larger areas, and vice versa. “Different shapes are suitable for specific areas of improvement,” says Liverman. “A gua sha with bigger shapes is for broader areas like the cheeks and forehead, whereas those with smaller, more intricate curves are ideal for smaller areas and pressure points.” Desired Results Those looking for more noticeable results in terms of facial sculpting and fine line reduction should focus on finding a gua sha tool that has the right contours for them. Many have a comb edge, which can be used to further stimulate the skin as well as the scalp, which also promotes relaxation and hair growth. Of course, combining gua sha tools with other facial tools, like an ice roller, is a great way to achieve the benefits of both, which complement each other and overall will maximize the efficacy of your entire skincare regimen. People / Danielle Yersin How We Tested Over the course of four weeks, our PEOPLE Tested team researched and tested 18 gua sha tools from top brands in order to bring you the best ones on the market. We repeatedly tried them out at home in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions, taking photos at the start of the process, immediately after our first time using the tool, 5-6 hours later, and once again at the end of the testing period in order to visualize any noticeable differences. Ease of Use: In order to test the gua sha tools, we first applied a water-based serum or facial oil to help the tool glide across our skin, testing them once a day and cleaning them thoroughly between each use. We took careful note of how each product felt in our hand and how easy it was to maneuver around, noting if there was a learning curve and if the shape or feel of the stone contributed to its ease of use.Effectiveness: We took notes on any immediate and longterm effects we saw to our face and skin. Specifically, we identified what tools helped depuff our face, provide a more sculpted look to our jawlines, cheekbones, and/or forehead, and if our skin appeared more glowy and radiant after using.Quality: During our testing period, we evaluated the quality of the tool, assessing the material's durability and feel, if it was sturdy or lightweight, and whether it chipped or fell apart during use. We also paid close attention to any loss of quality or luster after using and cleaning the product multiple times throughout the test.Overall Results: Our testers described how their face and skin looked and felt after using the tool consistently. We identified which tools are better for short-term or more long-term results (or both!) as well as any reactions our testers' skin had to the tools, including breakouts (however, this could also be attributed to the type of oil or serum used with the gua sha). We also noted if any tools helped with other skin issues, such as reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. After our testing period, we rated each product on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being the best). The products that earned the best average scores, and were recommended most highly by our testers for their efficacy and overall value, made this list, earning their PEOPLE Tested seal of approval. Frequently Asked Questions What are the benefits to using facial tools? “I think using tools at home is a great way of extending the benefit of your professional facial throughout the month,” says celebrity esthetician Joanna Vargas. “It helps keep the face de-puffed, healthier, and gives you a beautiful moment in the mirror to really take care of yourself and de-stress."Vargas also notes that gua sha tools specifically can “help increase the circulation in the skin, help to de-puff and contour the face, and it feels amazing!” She uses one regularly, particularly when applying her morning and evening skincare routine. Can you use a gua sha incorrectly? Liverman warns that you can “absolutely” misuse a gua sha tool, so it’s crucial to do your research before picking one up. “Applying too much pressure and not enough serum or moisturizer are common mistakes that can cause tugging of the skin or bruising,” she explains. For optimal results, Vargas recommends starting in the middle of the face and gliding the tool outwards towards the sides. “I also recommend downward motions on the neck to make sure the lymphatic channels are open so the face can de-puff,” she adds. Why Trust PEOPLE? Sophie Dodd is a PEOPLE contributor who has been writing for PEOPLE.com since 2018. She thoroughly examined our PEOPLE Tested team’s results and researched each recommended product in order to narrow down this list of the best gua sha tools to use at home. Sophie also received expert insight from celebrity esthetician Joanna Vargas and Glowbar CEO and founder Rachel Liverman on the benefits of gua sha and other facial tools and the most important things to consider when shopping for them. Meet Our Experts Joanna Vargas is a celebrity esthetician, bicoastal spa owner and the founder of her eponymous, award-winning skincare line. Rachel Liverman is the CEO and founder of Glowbar, a results-driven facial studio. What is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.