When these techniques are combined with Blank&'s nourishing face oils and skincare, the result is a perfect ritual that activates the facial muscles, promotes lymphatic circulation, and cares for the skin from the outside in. This helps eliminate excess fluid, reduce puffiness (especially under the eyes and across the face), and brighten the complexion.
The history of gua sha and facial cupping
Gua sha has its roots in Chinese medicine, dating back over a thousand years. The name itself says it all: gua means to scrape, and sha refers to the redness left behind. Originally, gua sha was used on the whole body to treat muscle pain, headaches and the common cold, using tools made from stone and bone. Cupping is a tradition known in China, Egypt and the Middle East for thousands of years. Applied to the face, it is a modern version of these ancient methods.
While gua sha works by pressing and moving a tool across the facial tissues, cupping operates on a slightly different principle — small silicone or glass cups create a suction on the skin, drawing the soft tissue upward. The goal of both, however, is the same: to revive circulation, lymphatic flow and the skin itself.
The skin benefits of gua sha and facial cupping
When a gua sha tool or facial cupping set is moved correctly across the face, several things happen at once. In practice, regular gua sha and facial cupping can:
reduce puffiness and define facial contours
significantly boost the absorption of skincare products
brighten skin tone and bring a natural glow
smooth fine lines and help prevent new ones from forming
Skincare products only reach the surface layer of the skin, but gua sha can influence the deeper tissues. When the facial tissues are not in good condition, the skin loses firmness and wrinkles more quickly.
Facial cupping adds another dimension: the suction relaxes muscle tension, reduces puffiness, softens lines, adds fullness to the lips, and enhances product absorption in ways that skincare products alone cannot achieve. Both techniques stimulate fibroblasts, which are responsible for producing collagen and elastin. The body's natural collagen production begins to slow around the age of 25, so mechanical stimulation is a simple and natural way to support the skin's own renewal process.
Face oil as a complement to facial cupping and gua sha
A nourishing face oil helps calm and balance the skin, making it particularly well suited for sensitive, reactive or uneven skin. When massage opens up the lymphatic flow, the active ingredients in the oil travel exactly where they are needed. Both gua sha and facial cupping always require a face oil to provide slip. A high-quality face oil is the ideal lubricant — it allows the tool or cup to glide smoothly without stretching the skin, while the active ingredients in the oil are absorbed effectively thanks to the increased circulation activated by the massage.
Blank&'s Amio and Evie face oils are a gentle and soothing choice for an evening facial cupping session or gua sha ritual.
Shop Amio and Evie face oils
How to do facial cupping at home like a professional
Cleanse your face thoroughly. The treatment should always be performed on clean skin.
Mist your face with Blank&'s Veya facial water, then apply Amio or Evie face oil. A few drops are enough. Gently massage the product into the face and neck using circular movements — the skin should be well moisturised before using the cups.
Start at the neck. Begin the massage at the neck, working with upward strokes from bottom to top. This activates the lymphatic flow before moving on to the face.
Facial cupping sets typically include a smaller cup for around the eyes and lips, and a larger one for the rest of the face. Cupping can be done in two ways: gliding cupping or stationary cupping. In gliding cupping, the cup is placed on the skin by gently pressing it from the sides, then slowly and smoothly glided upward and outward with a slight lifting motion.
Repeat 2–3 times per area. Stationary cupping is particularly suited to sensitive or thin skin and for targeting fine lines. Place the cup on the skin — for example above the lip, at the corner of the eye, or on a neck line — hold it in place for 1–2 seconds, then remove it by pressing the sides together. Repeat 2–3 times per area. Do not hold the cup in place for too long, as this may cause bruising.
Finally, guide the lymphatic circulation downward toward the collarbone and neck. Some redness after the treatment is completely normal — it simply means your circulation has been activated. Clean the cups after use with warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
