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If you're going to start a new beauty ritual this year, then it should be gua sha. A consistent gua sha routine can help eliminate puffy skin around your eyes, sculpt your cheekbones, stimulate hair growth, and achieve a snatched jawline.

But what exactly is gua sha? And how can this beauty practice benefit your skin?

What is gua sha?

Experts say gua sha began with traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. The original practice was designed to help treat chronic pain in the neck and shoulder areas, muscle issues in the body, and blood stagnation.

The healing modality has been found to offer several benefits. It works well as a lymphatic drainage massage technique for your face and neck. It can help fight inflammation and release toxins. It has been even shown to work facial fascia, and with consistent facial massage, it may help stimulate collagen production to treat fine lines and wrinkles.

While older gua sha practices use a variety of tools, modern gua sha facial massage is usually done with beauty tools you may recognize (largely because, well, they're trending!). Today's practices include the use of products such as a jade stone, facial rollers, facial oil, and more.

What do I need to start a gua sha routine?

If you're new to the art of gua sha and want to add a gua sha stone, facial rollers, or skin serums to your skincare routine, Mount Lai has everything you need.

According to the brand, its skincare products are inspired by founder Stephanie Zheng's grandmother, who treated her gua sha and skincare routine as a daily act of self care. The brand's products are formulated in collaboration with traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.

The female-owned skincare label selects herbs for their healing and beneficial properties and infuses them into its skincare products. No matter if you're using a gua sha tool on your scalp, on your chest, or on your face, Mount Lai has the perfect products for you. 

We've selected our favorite Mount Lai tools that you need to gua sha like a pro, below!