A rose quartz stone, a small jade roller or a device with electrical impulses and light: facial beauty tools are hugely popular. But they work in very different ways. Here you'll find out what gua sha, a face roller and an EMS device each do, what you can realistically expect, what to look out for when using them and which tool suits your routine.
In short
Gua sha and face rollers are simple massage tools that need no electricity: they turn your skincare into a little ritual and feel pleasant. An EMS device also emits gentle electrical impulses that target the muscles, often combined with light and warmth. All three are cosmetic tools, not a treatment at the doctor's. Which one suits you best depends on how much time you want to spend and what you're looking for.
In this article
01
The three tools at a glance
All three tools are placed on the skin and moved over the face, usually together with a serum or oil. The difference lies in how they work:
- Gua sha: a flat, curved stone that you use to stroke the skin with light pressure. Massage by hand.
- Face roller: a small roller, often made of jade or rose quartz, that you roll over your face. A gentle, cooling massage.
- EMS device: an electrical device that delivers gentle impulses to the skin, which target the muscles underneath. Many devices also feature LED light and warmth.
02
Gua sha: massage with a stone
Gua sha comes from traditional Chinese practice. A gentle version is used on the face: you apply a facial oil or a rich skincare product and stroke the flat stone with light pressure from the centre of your face outwards and upwards, for example along the jawline and over the cheekbones.
- What it can do: gua sha is a relaxing massage. Many people enjoy how it feels afterwards and use it to consciously set aside a few minutes for their skincare.
- What you should know: there is hardly any solid research behind many of the promises you read online. The technique takes a little practice so that the pressure stays comfortable.
- What to watch out for: light pressure only, always with oil or a rich skincare product as a glide layer, and not on irritated, inflamed or injured skin. Clean the stone after every use.
03
Face roller (jade roller): what it does and how to use it
A face roller is the most straightforward of the three tools. After applying your skincare, roll it over your face in gentle movements from the inside outwards. Many people keep it in the fridge because the cool stone feels especially pleasant in the morning.
- What it can do: a short, cooling massage that feels refreshing and turns your skincare into a ritual.
- What you should know: it's mainly about a pleasant, cool feeling on the skin. There are few studies on visible long-term effects.
- What to watch out for: roll gently, avoid irritated skin and clean it regularly. Check that the roller sits firmly and doesn't squeak or stick.
04
EMS device: impulses, light and warmth
An EMS device works with electrical muscle stimulation. Gentle impulses target the muscles beneath the skin, and you feel this as a slight tingling or twitching. For the impulses to arrive evenly, you need a water-based serum or gel as a contact medium.
Our EMS & Light Therapy Device combines EMS with red, green and blue LED light and warmth of 42 °C. It has 5 intensity levels and a 6-minute timer that beeps every minute as a signal to move on to the next area of your face. The device then switches off automatically. We recommend using it two to three times a week.
- What it's designed for: a regular skincare routine with impulses, light and warmth, for a fresher-looking, firmer-looking complexion. The device can also be used on the neck, décolletage and body, for example on the legs.
- What you should know: even an at-home EMS device is a cosmetic device and is no substitute for medical or aesthetic treatment. Here, too, research on visible effects is limited, and how your skin develops depends on your skin type, your age and how regularly you use it.
- What to watch out for: start low, stick to the recommended duration and don't use it on your eyes. According to the instructions for use, you should not use the device, among other cases, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, if you have a pacemaker or other implants, if you have metallic dental implants, if you have cancer, on injured or irritated skin, if you have sunburn or in the first four weeks after skin surgery. It is not intended for children.
You can read how to use it step by step in EMS for the face: how to use the device and serum correctly.
05
The comparison at a glance
| Gua sha | Face roller | EMS device | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | massage with a stone | massage with a roller | electrical impulses, often with light and warmth |
| Time per session | up to you | up to you, often a few minutes | 6 minutes (our device) |
| Skincare to use with it | facial oil or rich skincare | serum or skincare of your choice | water-based serum or gel |
| Practice needed | some | hardly any | hardly any, the timer sets the pace |
| Power and charging | no | no | yes, rechargeable battery |
| Contraindications to note | irritated or injured skin | irritated or injured skin | see instructions, including pregnancy and implants |
06
Which tool suits you?
You're looking for a relaxing ritual
Who it's forYou like to take time for yourself and enjoy massage by hand
Our tipGua sha
You want it quick and easy
Who it's forA few minutes in the morning, no tech involved
Our tipFace roller
You want more than a massage
Who it's forImpulses, light and warmth in a regular 6-minute routine
Our tipEMS device with serum, for example the Signature Face Lift Duo
By the way, you don't have to choose just one. For example, you can use the roller in the morning and the EMS device on two to three evenings a week. If your skin is red after a session, give it a break before you use the next tool.
The House of Legs
Signature Face Lift Duo
EMS & Light Therapy Device and Lifting Glow Face Serum as a set: the 6-minute ritual for your face, better value than buying them separately.
07 · FAQ
Frequently asked questions about EMS, gua sha and face rollers
Is an EMS device better than gua sha?+
Not better, just different. Gua sha is a massage by hand, while an EMS device works with electrical impulses and often also with light and warmth. Which tool suits you depends on what you're looking for and how much time you want to spend.
Gua sha or jade roller: what's the difference?+
A gua sha is a flat stone that you use to stroke the skin with light pressure. A jade roller is a small roller that you roll over your face. The roller is easier to use, while gua sha takes a little more practice.
Can I use the Lifting Glow Face Serum for gua sha?+
The water-based serum is made for the EMS device and absorbs quickly. For gua sha, you need a glide layer that stays on the skin for longer, such as a facial oil. You can apply the serum first and add a little oil on top.
How often should I use an EMS device?+
Follow the instructions for your device. For our EMS & Light Therapy Device, we recommend six minutes two to three times a week.
Are there devices that combine gua sha and EMS?+
Yes, there are gua sha shaped devices with an EMS function. Look out for the same things as with any EMS device: adjustable levels, a timer, instructions in your language that list the contraindications and a seller you can actually reach. Our EMS & Light Therapy Device has a 3D-shaped massage head and combines EMS with three light modes and warmth. It can be used on the face and body.
Can I use the tools on spots or irritated skin?+
Better not. On inflamed, irritated or injured skin, leave out all three tools until your skin has calmed down.
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