DIY Gua Sha Oil

Hayley Wood, holistic esthetician and founder of Therapeutic Skin Coach, recently shared how to give yourself the best at-home gua sha facial. With these skills now in your arsenal, it’s time to ensure you have the right oils on hand to perfect your practice. Many of these ingredients you may already have—or can easily be ordered online.

What are three great DIY gua sha oils?

If someone is experiencing inflammation or breakouts and wants to perform a modified gua sha, I would suggest mixing one tablespoon of organic tamanu oil with two drops of lavender essential oil.

If you are dehydrated, mix one tablespoon of squalene and two drops of german chamomile essential oil.

If you are looking to break up old scars and congestion, try one tablespoon of jojoba oil and two drops of frankincense essential oil.

For each of these combinations, mix in a small bowl. One of my favorite ways to elevate my gua sha practice is to take a deep inhalation of the product I am using prior to applying it to my skin. Gently apply to clean skin, adding more oil as needed.

Why have you chosen to include these oils in your mixes?

Simple formulas are great for skin when you are actively working on it through a modality like gua sha. If the formulas are too complex, the skin is being told to achieve too many tasks at once. Simplicity is key as the gua sha is the most valuable part of the practice. The essential oils and single-source oils I chose are generally non-comedogenic and also not too stimulating. They all encourage a calming action to the skin and nervous system.

What are the benefits of each oil?

Jojoba oil is very similar to our natural sebum (oil on the skin) so it does a great job of balancing excess oil without causing irritation or congestion. Frankincense essential oil is the ultimate healer of skin when used correctly. It helps cell recovery without overstimulating. Tamanu oil is similar to jojoba oil in its non-comedogenic properties, but it also has a calming effect. Mixing that with the soothing therapeutics of lavender oil is great for any inflammation. Squalene oil is a bit more hydrating but is a smaller molecule size than coconut oil, which can be comedogenic for most skin types looking for nourishment. The german chamomile is excellent for nourishing dehydrated or tired skin without overstimulating.

For someone interested in learning more, how can they get in touch with you?

I love to share my gua sha skills, so I’ve been offering custom gua sha classes via ZOOM along with different consultations and classes, depending on the person’s needs. I also have different online classes and tutorials (including one for gua sha) that focuses on holistic skin health education and creating a ritual through your skincare. People are loving it now more than ever before because they can take the time to dive into the content. My courses help empower people to learn how to feel confident in their skincare as self-care.

Anyone can purchase the courses for 40 percent off using the code “nurtureyou” through the month of May.