Anua’s Gua Sha Cream: A Game-Changer in My Skincare Routine

With over 60,000 positive reviews, Anua’s Visibly Firming Collagen Retinol Refining Gua Sha Cream has become a staple in my nightly routine.

I’m in my 20s and, believe it or not, I only recently started using retinol consistently. Shocking, right? It’s funny because I’ve spoken to dermatologists and skin care experts about retinol for ages, learning why it’s seen as the gold standard for improving skin texture, reducing fine lines, and boosting collagen. Still, I had never really committed to using it nightly. Now that I’ve been reevaluating my anti-aging approach—adding LED masks and de-puffing tools—I figured it was time to actually start using some of the things I’d been writing about. My choice? Anua’s Gua Sha Cream.

The reason this product has garnered such loyalty is obvious. First, the built-in gua sha applicator—it’s honestly one of the smartest designs I’ve seen. Instead of juggling a separate tool that I’ll probably forget to clean, the applicator is already part of the tube. I mean, thank you! It makes massaging the cream upwards along my jawline, cheeks, and neck super easy.

What might seem like a mundane task has turned into something I genuinely look forward to every night.

The formula itself checks all the boxes for a retinol newbie. Besides retinol, it’s also packed with collagen, which, according to a study, keeps the skin hydrated while enhancing its elasticity. My skin often reacts to products, so I was bracing for some irritation, but this cream turned out to be surprisingly gentle.

During the initial application, I did notice a slight temporary redness, but it was more about stimulating the skin rather than irritation from the product itself.

My appreciation for Anua goes beyond this cream alone. I remember flying to South Korea for over 16 hours and coming back with a carry-on full of skincare goodies. I tried nearly every Anua product I could find, and after diving deep into Korean skincare, I understood why it often leads the trends, particularly in achieving that glass-like glow.

This cream fits seamlessly into my nighttime routine and has quickly become one of my top discoveries. I make sure to apply it as one of my last steps before bed, letting it work while I sleep.

If you’ve been hesitant about introducing retinol to your routine, this is definitely one of the best beginner-friendly options out there. The comfortable formula, innovative built-in applicator, and skin-loving ingredients make it a breeze. For me, it’s what finally made retinol stick.