Face Roller or Gua Sha – Which is Better for You

Face tools have been trending for the last few years, but there’s still one question that I get asked a lot on Skinnrituals – what product should I buy? So in today’s post I’ll be answering this question and telling you Face Roller or Gua Sha – Which is Better for You.

How is a Face Roller Different from Gua Sha?

A face roller will typically have a single or double rotating roller head attached to a handle and you use it by gently rolling it on your skin. On the other hand, a Gua Sha is a flat stone/crystal (shapes vary) that you hold in your hand and lay flat on your skin and scrape to massage.

Another difference between the two is the intensity of pressure with which you use them. Facial rollers require minimal to no pressure, as they are meant to gently roll over your skin. On the other hand, an ideal Gua Sha practice requires you to put a little bit of pressure on the tool so you can relax muscles, move fluid and dissolve any knots in muscles that you might have.

Face Roller or Gua Sha – Which Should You Choose?

Now this completely depends on your personal preference and how much time you can dedicate to your self-care routine. If you are looking for a tool that can be used quickly, is convenient and helps with de-puffing and lymphatic drainage – opt for a Face Roller. But if you have time, want a deeper massage and want to indulge in an almost therapeutic, meditative massage practice, opt for a Gua Sha.

Let me share my personal experience with you – in the mornings when I want a quick boost and wake me up for my skin, I always reach for a face roller. It’s easy and quick to use… all i do is roll outwards and upwards and my skin feels refreshed, de-puffed and slightly lifted at the end of 5 minutes. Face Rolling is very simple and straight forward – it helps drain out puffiness, it gently stimulates blood flow and soothes the skin.

However, in the evenings I always reach for my Gua Sha At the end of the day, when I want to relax and unwind… and connect with myself, gua sha is always the tool I reach for. Here’s what I tell all my clients at Skinnrituals – a gua sha practice is an opportunity to connect with your body, mind and soul. You must take time to practice it mindfully and slowly. That’s a must! When you practice gua sha, you are meant to slow down your breathing and sync your massage movements with your breath. It is much deeper and intense massage when compared to a face roller.

Basic Differences to Help You Choose

• Face rollers take less time – 5 mins is sufficient. Gua Sha takes longer to practice – minimum of 10-15 mins
• Face rollers are a quick boost for the skin, de-puff and will give you a subtle glow. Gua Sha will do all of those things, plus also help to release any muscle tension and knots, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles and help you to really connect with your body.
• Face rollers help to fight early signs of ageing, however a Gua Sha will actually help to contour and sculpt your features over time.

My Recommendation:

If you are just starting out with face tools and have no idea how to use them, go for the simpler tool first – aka the Face Roller. However, I personally feel that a combination of Face roller and Gua Sha show the BEST RESULTS! If you’re a newbie, start with using a Gua Sha only for your neck and shoulder area and use the Face Roller for your face. Slowly build your practice and use the Gua Sha first all over your face, neck, chest and shoulder followed by a Face Roller to end your practice by smoothening and soothing your skin.