Stone facial tools have become a staple in many skincare routines — but if you're just starting out, it's not always obvious where to begin. Gua sha stones, face rollers and scalp combs are the three most commonly used stone tools, and each one serves a different purpose.
This guide covers what each tool does, how to use it, and how to fit them all together into a simple routine — whether you're starting with one tool or building a full practice from scratch.
Before You Start: One Important Step
Before picking up any stone facial tool, apply a serum or facial oil to clean skin. This applies to every stone tool in this guide — without something to glide on, the stone creates friction that makes it uncomfortable to use and harder to control. A few drops of facial oil or a thin layer of serum is all you need.
From there, the technique for each tool is straightforward and easy to learn. The sections below walk through each one in order of how most people find it easiest to start.
Tool 1: The Stone Face Roller
A face roller is a handheld tool with a stone barrel that rolls across the skin. Most are dual-ended — a larger barrel for the cheeks, forehead and neck, and a smaller barrel for the eye area and nose bridge.
The rolling motion is straightforward: light to medium pressure, short strokes, working outward from the centre of the face. Start at the neck, work upward to the jaw and cheeks, then finish with the forehead. Switch to the smaller barrel for the eye area.
A ridged barrel creates more contact with the skin than a smooth one as you roll — some people find this adds to the feel of the massage. Both ridged and smooth barrels use the same technique.
Shop Face Rollers →When to use it
A face roller works well at any point in your routine, but many people use it in the morning — the technique is quick, the stone feels cool and refreshing on the skin, and it takes only a few minutes to work through the full face. If you keep your roller in the fridge beforehand, the stone will be noticeably cooler when you use it, which some people prefer.
Roller technique — step by step
- Apply serum or facial oil to clean skin
- Start at the neck — roll upward with light strokes
- Move to the jawline — roll outward toward the ears
- Work along the cheekbones — roll outward toward the hairline
- Use the large barrel across the forehead — roll upward and outward
- Switch to the small barrel for the eye area — work gently from inner corner outward
- Apply consistent, light to medium pressure throughout
Tool 2: The Gua Sha Stone
A gua sha stone is a flat, handheld tool with curved edges designed to follow the contours of the face — the jaw, cheekbones, forehead and neck. Unlike a roller, there are no moving parts. You hold the stone nearly flat against the skin and use a slow, deliberate gliding motion.
The stone has several different edges — a concave curve for the jaw and neck, a wider flat edge for the forehead and cheeks, and a pointed end for smaller areas. The variety of edges on a single stone means you can work different areas of the face with precision.
The technique takes a few sessions to get comfortable with, but most people find it becomes intuitive quickly. The key is to hold the stone at a low angle — nearly flat against the skin rather than at a steep angle — and move slowly.
Shop Gua Sha Stones →When to use it
Gua sha suits a slower, more deliberate routine. Many people use it in the evening when they have more time to work through each area of the face carefully. Because the technique is more hands-on than a roller, it's also a good way to wind down at the end of the day — the slow, deliberate strokes require enough focus to be naturally calming.
Gua sha technique — step by step
- Apply serum or facial oil to clean skin
- Hold the stone nearly flat against the skin — angle is important
- Start at the neck — use downward strokes first to begin, then work upward
- Move to the jawline — use the curved edge and work outward toward the ears
- Work along the cheekbones — use the curved edge, outward strokes
- Use the flat edge on the forehead — work upward and outward
- Use the pointed end gently for the eye area and nose bridge
- Keep strokes slow and deliberate — 3–5 strokes per area
"The gua sha stone covers more surface area per stroke than a roller. The different edges let you adapt to different parts of the face in a way that a roller can't."
Tool 3: The Scalp Gua Sha Comb
A scalp gua sha comb is a stone tool with teeth — designed specifically for the scalp rather than the face. The comb shape lets you work between sections of hair and apply pressure directly to the scalp, which you can't do with a standard gua sha stone or roller.
The technique is simpler than facial gua sha. You part the hair, place the teeth of the comb against the scalp, and apply firm, slow strokes in sections. Work systematically across the scalp from front to back and side to side. The stone teeth make direct contact with the scalp as you move.
Scalp combs are available in different tooth widths. A wide-tooth comb works well for thicker hair and covers more area per stroke. A narrower comb allows for more precise work in sections.
Shop Scalp Combs →When to use it
The scalp comb is used as a standalone tool — it doesn't need to be part of a facial skincare routine. Many people use it before washing their hair, as a dry scalp massage before shampooing. You can also use it after applying a scalp oil or treatment, which gives the comb something to work with as you move across the scalp.
Scalp comb technique — step by step
- Part the hair to expose a section of scalp
- Place the teeth of the comb flat against the scalp — not at a steep angle
- Apply firm, slow strokes — work in one direction per section
- Move systematically: front to back, then side to side
- Part the hair in new sections and repeat until the full scalp is covered
- Use on dry scalp or after applying a scalp oil or treatment
Putting It Together — A Simple Routine
You don't need to use all three tools in the same session. The most practical approach is to slot each tool into the part of your routine where it fits naturally, rather than trying to do everything at once.
| Tool | When to use | Time needed | Best used with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face Roller | Morning or evening | 3–5 minutes | Serum or facial oil |
| Gua Sha Stone | Evening preferred | 5–10 minutes | Serum or facial oil |
| Scalp Comb | Before hair wash or anytime | 3–5 minutes | Dry scalp or scalp oil |
A practical starting point: use the face roller in the morning when you're short on time, the gua sha stone in the evening when you have more time to work through the full face, and the scalp comb once or twice a week before washing your hair. This spreads the tools across your week without adding pressure to any single routine.
"Start with one tool. Get comfortable with the technique. Then add others when it feels natural — there's no benefit to using all three at once if it makes your routine feel overwhelming."
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Caring for Your Stone Tools
All three tools are straightforward to maintain:
- Wipe clean with a soft damp cloth after each use
- Leave to air dry before storing
- Avoid submerging rollers in water — the metal hardware can be affected over time
- Store away from direct sunlight
- If you keep a roller in the fridge, store it in a clean covered container
Summary
- Always apply a serum or facial oil before using any stone facial tool
- The face roller is the easiest starting point — simple technique, quick to use
- The gua sha stone covers more of the face per stroke and suits a more detailed routine
- The scalp comb is a standalone tool designed specifically for the scalp
- You don't need to use all three tools in the same session — spread them across your week
- Consistency matters more than which tools you use or how often
If you have questions about which tools suit your routine, feel free to get in touch — we're happy to help.