Did you miss our TCM Office Hours a few weeks about how to use Gua Sha with Retinols and other actives? As a subscriber, you have VIP 24/7 access to the playback. Or, if you’re too busy here’s a quick cheat sheet of how to work Gua Sha into your routine depending on your skin type:

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If you have sensitive skin condition like peri-oral dermatitis that causes your skin to be inflamed red, itchy, painful, flaky, and populated with tiny micro-pustules, don’t use retinols and only do Gua Sha on inactive areas like your neck and scalp.

Instead of strong actives, focus more on soothing, healing skincare like those in our Reactive Skin Set...

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If you have rosacea or sensitive skin that flushes red easily, but is not irritated per the above description Gua Sha and gentle retinoids are ok. Here is your suggested routine with product recs:

G E N T L E   P R O G R A M

1. Remove Makeup

2. Apply emulsifying cleansing oil

3. Facial Gua Sha over cleansing oil

4. Remove cleanser

5. Apply gentle Retinol (night) or Vitamin A Ester serum (day/night)

6. Facial Oil / Moisturizer

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If you're new to using retinol, start with a mild retinol (0.3-0.5%). If retinol makes you nervous, start with a Vitamin A ester serum, which is gentler and less likely to cause irritation. In either case, stick to a clinical or reputable brand to ensure the product is high-quality and effective.

N E W B I E   P R O G R A M 

1. Cleanse

2. Facial Mist

3. Facial Oil

4. Facial Gua Sha

5. Apply Retinol (night) or Vitamin A Ester serum (day/night)

6. Facial Balm (optional)

S K I N   R E C S   F O R   R E T I N O L   M A S T E R S 

If you have been using Retinols for a long time, you have no irritation issues and your skin loves it, adding Gua Sha will only amplify your results. You can actually do facial Gua Sha on top of your Retinol and other actives.

M A S T E R   P R O G R A M 

1. Remove makeup/SPF

2. Cleanse

3. Facial Mist

4. Retinol/retinal

5. Facial Oil/Moisturizer/Vitamin C, Bakuchiol

6. Facial Gua Sha

7. Occlusive facial balm, moisturizer or finishing oil