Top oils and lubricants for Gua Sha
Mediums for Gua Sha
We must use a “medium” between the Gua Sha tool and our skin to safely and effectively release facia, increase circulation, break down scar tissue, and restore healthy skin and lymph flow,
I elaborate on which mediums are best for specific applications in the practice segment. Below is a general overview of options.
Dry scraping: this can be done over your clothes. The main benefit of dry scraping is that there is little to no prep time. It can be done on the go, in between meetings at work, or while you are waiting for a date. The effect is milder when practiced over clothing. That can be a good thing if you are approaching a tender area and wish to muffle the sensation.
In the bath or with a warm towel: Gua sha application in the bathtub after you’ve soaked for about 15-20 minutes is a wonderful option. Your skin is warm and hydrated and you can use soap as your lubricant or oil. You can also add a few drops of essential oils to your bath water such as Cyprus, Frankincense, and Grapefruit - all promote circulation and enhance the effectiveness of your gua sha session. Using a warm towel over your exposed skin as you turn around in the bathtub will deliver the warmth deeper into your tissues and it can be effective in treating stiff, painful, or cold areas in your body, such as the hips or shoulders.
Your hair: When gua sha scraping your scalp, oils is not needed, since your hair is your medium (if you have hair on your head that is ;). Other hairy body parts are also ok for gua sha without oil or lubricant, since the hair serves as a buffer between your scraping tool and your skin.
Lubricants:
Choose an organic, cold-pressed, food-grade lubricant for your gua sha. Your skin is your largest organ and what you put on your skin makes its way into your internal bodily systems. Don’t use Vaseline or mineral oil (baby oil) since these cheap lubricants are petroleum-based and can do more harm than good. Your kitchen might be already equipped with organic cold-pressed olive oil or unrefined coconut oil, both of which are highly hydrating and a wonderful choice. Consider looking at what is already at your home, or readily available in your region of residence.
Sesame oil is popular throughout Asia. It is warming in nature and a good choice in cold weather or if you experience cold conditions such as cold feet and hands. Coconut oil is more cooling in nature and is best to use in hot climate conditions or if you experience heat-like symptoms such as inflammation, fever or easily getting red or irritated. Jojoba oil is one of my personal favorites; of the plant-based oils, it is one of the closest in structure to our skin oils. it is anti-inflammatory and has wound-healing effects. it is neutral in terms of heating/cooling. There are many other great oils you can use such as almond, avocado, apricot, etc. Any unrefined, organic, cold-pressed oil should do, and the rule of thumb to consider is: if you can eat it, you can apply it!
Natural formulated salves or creams are lovely since the added thickness of the butter or wax provides more lasting lubrication and feels velvety and luxurious to the skin. You can also use healing salves with CBD or other healing herbs.
For the face, a thinner oil such as Marula, Aragan, and Jojoba are all excellent options, especially if you have sensitive skin. You may use any face oil or cream you enjoy.
Specialty blends: When choosing your lubricant, consider what’s naturally available in your area, and your primary health concerns. There are many options to choose from. High-quality herbal oils can add welcomed benefits to your self-care ritual. Your gua sha scraping technique will stimulate the skin to better absorb the oil application. It is a win-win.
Mahanarayan Ayurvedic oil is a traditional blend of herbs formulated to improve circulation, repair muscle damage, and for lymphatic drainage. Therefore, it is an excellent choice if you are ready to invest in specialty products for your self-care ritual.
A blend I use in my homemade salve is combining jojoba oil with beeswax, and adding a few drops of Cyprus + Frankincense + Grapefruit essential oils, as they aid in softening scar tissue and improving lymphatic drainage.
There are many great products created to improve circulation, lymphatic drainage, sore muscles, and erasing scar tissue. Depending on your needs, you can choose specialty blends to meet your goals, but please always read the list of ingredients, and if there are "suspects" on the list, investigate. Choose 100% wholesome, organic, sustainable products whenever possible.
A note about water-based lotions: Many lotions that combine water-base and oil-base ingredients use synthetic emulsifiers and chemical preservatives. When using gua sha, I recommend using oil-based products. The oils linger on your skin surface to allow smooth scraping, while water-based lotions usually get absorbed into the skin faster than you would want them to for gua sha.
Let's grab some good oil and get going >>
