Popsugar Beauty Skin Care What is a Gua Sha This Gua Sha Trend Is All Over Instagram Right Now – but Its History Goes Way Back 26 October 2018 by Sarah Siegel Image Source: Instagram user mountlai As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work. Chances are, you've started to see oddly-shaped pieces of rose quartz and jade strewn across your Instagram feed next to your handy face rollers. These stones, called Gua Sha tools, are part of an ancient Chinese tradition and are anything but new. Searching the term on Google, you're likely to find some gruesome photos of bright-red backs, a result of the ancient Chinese massage technique that means "scraping." Luckily, the pretty tools you're seeing all across the internet are not meant for this intense massage, but for a much gentler version of the practice to use on your face. Gua Sha is used to improve circulation in your body, or in this case, your face. The traditional massage is thought by its users to get stagnant energy in your body moving and reduce inflammation. Another added benefit is that with medium to heavy pressure, you can help to drain the lymphatic system and toxins from the face, and reducing puffiness. Plus, using the tool is easier than it looks: just take your favourite face oil and apply it to your skin before gently dragging the tool in an outward motion using the flat end of the tool with both short and long strokes. Ahead you'll find some varieties of stone and crystal tools to use in your Gua Sha massage practice. O'o Hawaii Rose Quartz Gua Sha Beauty Tool Image Source: amazon.com O'o Hawaii Rose Quartz Gua Sha Beauty Tool (£55) O'o Hawaii Rose Quartz Gua Sha Beauty Tool £55 from feelunique.com Buy Now Skin Gym Rose Quartz Gua Sha Sculpty Tool Image Source: shop.nordstrom.com Skin Gym Rose Quartz Gua Sha Sculpty Tool (£38) Skin Gym Rose Quartz Gua Sha Sculpty Tool £38 from selfridges.com Buy Now Wild Source Apothecary Gua Sha Rose Quartz Image Source: sephora.com Wild Source Apothecary Gua Sha Rose Quartz (£15) Wild Source Apothecary Gua Sha Rose Quartz £15 from wildsource.co.uk Buy Now White Lotus Rose Quartz Gua Sha Image Source: sephora.com White Lotus Rose Quartz Gua Sha (£35) White Lotus Rose Quartz Gua Sha £35 from cultbeauty.co.uk Buy Now Skin CareGua ShaShoppableBeauty ShoppingBeauty TrendsBeauty Products