The best skincare habits go far beyond your product lineup. Yep, we’re talking about beauty tools. From gua sha stones to dry brushes, these tools are the most eco-friendly and pocket-friendly way to drive beauty results.

Here’s something you should know about your clean beauty routine: tools change everything. If you’re happy with your current product lineup but still want to elevate your skin health, beauty tools are the obvious choice. From red light to dry brushes, the right tools can help plump, smooth, exfoliate, cleanse, and refresh the skin.

 

Why Should You Use Beauty Tools?

Ancient Turkish bath mitts and Roman cosmetic tools are evidence that beauty tools have been around for centuries. Although modern devices like red light wands and derma rollers are more high tech, the tradition itself connects us with the ancient world.

Especially with natural skincare products, beauty tools enhance your self-care experience. A face serum is more effective when dead skin cells are exfoliated from the skin, and a sulfate-free body wash foams better when used with a natural bath sea sponge.

 

The Best Beauty Tools and How They Enhance Your Skin

Natural beauty tools connect you more intentionally to your self-care practice. They remove some of the instant gratification so common in our culture, and they require practice and daily (or weekly) commitment to really pay off. Some of the best beauty tools for your kit include a dry brush, bath sea sponge, and gua sha stone.

 

Dry Brush

From Scandinavia to China, the practice of dry brushing reaches far across the globe. It’s been used for thousands of years as a way to exfoliate dry skin, boost energy, and improve blood flow to the skin.

• Unique Benefits of Using a Dry Brush: With a dry brush, you’re in full control of the level of exfoliation that happens for your skin. Use light or medium pressure to remove dead skin cells and bring blood flow to the surface. You should notice smoother skin, a boost of energy, improved lymphatic drainage, and clear pores.

• What We Love About It: Our dry brush bristles are made from sisal, a natural fiber that’s gentle on skin and biodegradable.

• How to Dry Brush: First, brush the termini, armpits, belly, back of the head, under the knees, and groin. These areas are where your lymphatic fluid drains into the bloodstream, so it’s important to make sure they’re clear. Then, use your dry brush to pull fluid from your arms, legs, belly, and neck into those areas you cleared.

Add the Dry Brush to Your Routine

 

Natural Bath Sea Sponge

The ancient Greeks and Egyptians were the first to use natural sea sponges as a bathing tool. When wet, these sponges are soft and soothing on the skin, delivering natural minerals and gentle exfoliation that’s tolerated by even the most sensitive skin.

• Unique Benefits of Using a Natural Sea Sponge: A natural sea sponge adds minerals to your bathtime routine. We often find that it’s the only form of exfoliation that’s tolerated by people with sensitive skin. Since it’s a natural resource, bath sponges biodegrade over time (so they’re eco-friendly) and don’t expose you to unnatural plastic fibers.

• What We Love About It: They are simply the most luxurious thing you will ever bathe with. Ours are sustainably harvested from the Caribbean.

• How to Use a Bath Sponge: The most important thing is to treat your sponge with care. Rinse the sponge to soften it and get it ready for bath time. Never wring out or twist the sponge, since this can damage it. To create a lather, simply apply your body wash or soap and squeeze the sponge gently.

Add the Natural Bath Sea Sponge to your Routine

 

Nephrite Gua Sha Stone

In ancient China, the gua sha stone was used on the whole body to reduce pain and encourage vital force energy balance (or “chi”). Today, it’s mainly used as a Botox alternative to plump the face muscles and improve lymphatic flow.

• Unique Benefits of Gua Sha Practice: Better circulation, especially to the face and neck. Use it in the morning to instantly look more awake and reduce puffiness. If you have swollen lymph nodes, you can use a gua sha stone to gently move that excess fluid along.

• What We Love About It: Once you get the hang of gua sha, it’s easy to make it part of your morning routine. Use it with your favorite serum and before and after photos — because gua sha really makes a difference for your face structure.

• How to Use a Gua Sha Stone: Always make sure your termini and arm pits are cleared before gua sha practice. This will support better lymphatic results. Then, use the tool to pull in an upward motion (cheeks to ears and forehead to scalp).

Add the Nephrite Gua Sha to Your Routine

 

Sustainable Cotton Rounds

If you’re on a journey to reduce plastic in your environment and in your skincare products, it’s important to look at the tools you use. Most face towels are made with polyester and nylon, which are harsh on your skin. But organic cotton is a tried-and-true solution.

• Unique Benefits of Organic Cotton Rounds: Two words: low waste. Encourage vibrant skin with natural fibers that feel soft and won’t expose you to chemicals.

• What We Love About It: Throw them in the washer, and they come out as bright as new.

• How to Use Sustainable Cotton Rounds: Use them to apply toner, remove makeup, or dry your face after oil cleansing.

Add Cotton Rounds to Your Routine

 

Turkish Bath Mitt

The Turkish bath mitt (or kese) is the original exfoliating glove. It’s made with a special fabric weave that practically melts dead skin cells and dirt off your body. Traditionally used during the famous Turkish hammam, the glove should always be paired with Moroccan black soap made from olive oil.

• Unique Benefits of the Turkish Bath Mitt: You’ll get a much deeper exfoliation and clean than with other beauty tools. It can help reduce cellulite, stretch marks, and unclog pores.

• What We Love About It: Unlike modern exfoliating gloves, the kese is made from natural fibers.

• How to Use the Turkish Bath Mitt: You’ll want to start a hot shower or bath and lather yourself in Moroccan black soap. Give the soap about 5 minutes to settle into the skin before you begin exfoliating with the glove. Then, massage gently up and down your arms, legs, and core. The mitt works well, so be sure not to overdo it. Once you’re done in the shower, finish with a moisturizing organic body oil.

 

Kansa Wand

Although it isn’t as popular as the gua sha stone, the kansa wand is far more ancient. It originated during the Indian Bronze Age as a tool of Ayurvedic medicine. An alloy of tin and copper forms an alkaline metal, which can help detox the skin and balance pH.

• Unique Benefits of the Kansa Wand: Thanks to its pH balancing properties, a kansa wand is great for someone with acne. It can oxygenate the blood, firm the skin, and detox.

 

• What We Love About It: According to Ayurvedic tradition, the kansa wand tells you when your skin is detoxing. Your skin should turn grey (temporarily) as it releases acid and toxins. The more you use the wand, the less greying you’ll experience.

• How to Use the Kansa Wand: Similar to your gua sha practice, you’ll want to apply a serum before using the wand. Gently push the wand in an upward motion (cheeks to ears and forehead to scalp). It’s also traditional to draw a figure eight on your forehead to stimulate the nervous system. You’ll want to use the wand for about 5–10 minutes.

 

Red Light Therapy Mask or Wand

Infrared light therapy is just another way of saying mitochondria support. The wavelengths of red light reach deep into the cell for a boost of energy. Red light isn’t just beneficial for the skin but can also lower inflammation and pain throughout the body.

• Unique Benefits of Red Light Therapy: Using just wavelengths, red light therapy works to boost collagen production, fade scars, brighten skin, restore hyperpigmentation, reduce rashes, and clear breakouts.

• What We Love About It: Red light therapy is super low effort and easy to pair with other habits.

• How to Use Red Light Therapy: Wear your red light therapy mask for 10–15 minutes. Keep in mind, red light is meant to detox the body, so you could experience symptoms if you wear the mask for too long. You can also use a red light wand and gently massage it across your face or target problem areas.

Add Red Light Therapy to Your Routine

 

Let Beauty Tools Connect You to Your Body

We all need a better relationship with our body, don’t we? The intentional process of rubbing a gua sha stone against your jawline or scrubbing away dead skin helps you apply a little self-love to daily life. It’s a good reminder that taking care of yourself isn’t just another thing on your to-do list. It’s a conscious practice you can use to restore your body and mind.