We've all seen the new skincare trend on the social media accounts of our favorite celebrities. Gua Sha, the massaging tool that many people claim helped lift their faces and define their facial features. But what is a Gua Sha and what are its actual benefits?  

Gua Sha is an ancient Chinese healing technique where the skin is scraped with a smooth stone. In ancient China, this technique was used all over the body, but today it's mostly used on the face and neck. This technique stimulates microcirculation which increases blood flow. 

WHAT ARE GUA SHA STONES?

Gua sha stones are made of jade or quartz. These stones are made into tools that are used to ease tension, sculpt and lift the skin, and stimulate circulation.

BENEFITS

Here are the benefits of the Gua Sha stone:

• It lifts the skin and makes facial features appear more defined. As well as de-puff the face and reduce under-eye bags. 
• It expels fluids and toxins from your system. 
• It reduces the tension that can cause fine lines and wrinkles. 
• It reduces redness and the size of acne by moving blood cells and improving circulation 
• It reduces the visibility of acne scars because it moves blood to the surface of the skin which renews skin cells 

HOW TO USE

Apply a serum or moisturizer before usage, and make sure to keep the stone as parallel as possible to your face. Don’t apply too much pressure! 

Remember to wash your Gua Sha with soap and water constantly to keep it clean 

What are you waiting for? You can buy it right now here. 

The ultimate 411 guide to the ingredient you’re seeing everywhere

Hyaluronic acid what is it? What is it composed of? What are its benefits? Why should everyone have it?

Hyaluronic acid is a sugar found naturally in our skin that holds water and helps keep it hydrated and plump. The HA within our bodies holds a thousand times its weight in water to not only retain all that moisture in our skin and joints, but also prevent all that moisture from evaporating into the air, according to Dr. Lily Talakoub, a dermatologist at the McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center.

As we age the naturally occurring HA within our body decreases. “Diet affects the skin significantly,” says Dr. Howard D. Sobel, a dermatologist in New York City. “Eating fruits and veggies with lots of antioxidants protect the skin from inflammation in turn helps the skin retain it.”

When used in skin care products like creams and serums, hyaluronic acid brings moisture to the surface of your skin. “Because of its ability to draw and hold water, it can be used as a humectant in your skin care regimen,” says Dr. Rachel Nazarian, a dermatologist at the Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City. “It continually keeps skin moisturized throughout the day.”

Use hyaluronic acid serum after the toner and before applying moisturizer or other serums. It helps the skin to consume all the ingredients on a deeper level.

Products with hyaluronic acid you can find here for purchase!

What are you waiting for? Take advantage of this holy grail ingredient!