Morning vs Evening Gua Sha: When Is the Best Time?

by Amber Boone, Holistic Aesthetician & Founder of Skin Soul Rituals

One of the most searched questions about gua sha is surprisingly simple:

Is it better to do gua sha in the morning or in the evening?

The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all and that’s actually a good thing.

The best time to do gua sha depends on what your face and nervous system need most, because morning and evening gua sha serve very different purposes.

Let’s break it down so you can choose the right timing or use both for visible, sustainable results.

Why Timing Matters with Gua Sha

Gua sha works by supporting:

• Lymphatic drainage

• Circulation

• Muscle release

• Nervous system regulation

Your body processes fluid, tension, and stress differently in the morning than it does at night. That’s why when you do gua sha can change how it works.

Understanding this is what creating an intentional facial ritual is all about.

Morning Gua Sha: Best for Puffiness & Glow

Morning gua sha is ideal if you wake up with:

• Facial puffiness

• Under-eye swelling

• Sinus congestion

• A dull or tired complexion

Benefits of morning gua sha:

• Helps move lymphatic fluid that builds up overnight

• Reduces puffiness and swelling

• Boosts circulation for a natural glow

• Helps the face look more refreshed and awake

Morning sessions should be short, light, and gentle.

How long?

5-10 minutes is ideal for your morning gua sha routine.

This isn’t the time for de-puffing and a little sculpting.

Evening Gua Sha: Best for Tension, Sculpting & Relaxation

Evening gua sha works on a deeper level.

Throughout the day, facial muscles hold:

• Jaw clenching

• Neck and shoulder tension

• Stress patterns that affect the face

Benefits of evening gua sha:

• Releases facial and jaw tension

• Supports natural lifting and sculpting

• Encourages deeper lymphatic flow

• Helps calm the nervous system before sleep

Evening gua sha is where long-term results are built.

How long?

5–10 minutes, 3–5 times per week.

This is when you typically can be a little slower and intentional with your ritual.

Morning vs Evening Gua Sha: Key Differences

Morning Gua Sha

Best for: Puffiness, swelling, morning glow

• Uses very light pressure

• Focuses on lymphatic drainage

• Helps move fluid that builds up overnight

• Leaves the skin looking refreshed and awake

• Takes just 5-10 minutes

Morning gua sha works best when it’s quick, gentle, and calming.

Evening Gua Sha

Best for: Tension release, sculpting, relaxation

• Uses slower, more intentional strokes

• Helps release jaw, neck, and facial tension

• Supports natural lifting and definition over time

• Encourages deeper lymphatic flow

• Calms the nervous system before sleep

• Takes about 5–10 minutes

Evening gua sha is where tightness and tension release happen and it’s a great way to relax the mind and nervous system before bed.

Key Takeaway

If you’re choosing just one time of day, evening gua sha delivers the most visible sculpting and lifting results. Morning gua sha is a beautiful add-on for de-puffing and glow.

Both are going to be effective they just support different goals. I typically fit my gua sha routine in during the morning simply because that’s when I know I will get it done and be consistent. Do what works for you.

So… When Is the Best Time to Do Gua Sha?

Here’s the honest answer:

• Evening gua sha delivers the most long-term sculpting and lifting results.

• Morning gua sha is a powerful add-on for de-puffing, glow & sculpting.

If you only choose one:

• Choose the one that you will be most consistent with. That’s key.

If you want the full benefit:

• Doing a gua sha routine 3–5 times per week is what will get you the best results.

Gua Sha Ritual Kit

Can You Do Gua Sha Both Morning and Night?

Yes, as long as your pressure stays gentle.

A balanced routine might look like:

• Evening: intentional sculpting ritual

• Morning: quick lymphatic refresh and de-puffing ritual

You don’t need to do a full routine twice a day. Try an am or pm session see which one feels good to you and which one fits best into your routine. If you skip a few days, don’t beat yourself up over it just start again. That’s the beauty of ritual and gua sha you can always start where you are.

Why Face Oil Is Essential (Especially at Night)

Using gua sha without enough slip can cause:

• Tugging

• Irritation

• Micro-stress to the skin

A nourishing face oil:

• Protects the skin barrier

• Allows smooth, effective strokes

• Makes the ritual enjoyable enough to stay consistent

This is why gua sha works best when paired with a thoughtfully formulated oil and not rushed on dry skin.

Turning Gua Sha into a Ritual (Not a Task)

Gua sha shows the best results when it becomes something you want to do. Because let’s be real we don’t need another task on our to-do list. Once you get in the habit of gua sha, I’m convinced you’ll be hooked not only by the results you see but by the way it makes you feel.

Evening gua sha pairs beautifully with:

• A calming face oil

• Soft lighting or candlelight

• Slow breathing

• Quiet music or silence

This supports your skin and your nervous system.

Supporting Results with the Right Tools

The Glow & Sculpt Kit was created to support both morning and evening gua sha with a tool designed for gentle effectiveness and an oil that provides the right slip for mature, sensitive skin.

Explore the Glow & Sculpt Kit and build a gua sha ritual that works for you whether thats morning or night.

FAQ

So, morning vs evening gua sha, when is the best time?

Evening is best for sculpting and tension release.

Morning is best for de-puffing and glow.

You don’t have to choose perfectly. You can even switch it up. Try them both.

The key is to be consistent. This is what matters most and that’s where you will see your best results.