I’m chasing the superficial fountain of youth as much as the next woman, but doing it without chemicals is my new-found vow. Insert the ancient practice of gua sha. Now, I must stop and tell you that I’m pretty skeptical when it comes to things like this. My heart loves all things woo woo, but my brain is like…”Amanda, where is the science behind this?” I’m happy to report that this is right in that happy middle where I love to hang out. Gua sha uses a stone tool to pull and lift the skin. It promotes lymphatic drainage (aka decreases swelling), massages the facial muscles, and moves the skin and fascia layers for increased oxygen and nutrient movement. 

Let me tell you…the first time I used this I had no idea what I was doing and I STILL looked like my face was 5 pounds lighter afterwards! Puffy eyes, fine lines, and dull skin don’t stand a chance if you use this consistently. And it has all the perfect little details for every face’s needs. I use the smooth edge for my cheeks, forehead, and neck. The divets are perfect for my jaw and brow line. I have a lot of wrinkles on my forehead, so the toothed edge is reserved for that “more expressive” area, as I so lovingly call it. As someone who has jaw pain and carries a lot of my stress between clenched teeth, this tool instantly transforms from merely cosmetic to therapeutic and calming. 

For the best results, you should perform short, light strokes in the upward direction, toward the ears and base of the jaw, as this is where many of the face’s lymphatic drainage points reside. 

Since becoming a mama, breastfeeding, baby carrying, and sleepless nights have also created a lot of tension in my neck and jaw. Add in the fact that the jaw is physiologically connected to the pelvic floor, it’s not wonder I’m feeling the tension…everywhere. I have a video tutorial on how to perform jaw massage with the gua sha tool, and let me tell you- doing this routine will quickly become a favorite part of your day. 

Mamas, boss babes, commuters, and ALL MY LADIES. This is for you. It takes less than five minutes out of your day, and is the best way you can spend that time. I promise you.

PS- you can snag 10% off your entire Primally Pure purchase by using the code MANDM10!