Let me introduce you to some facial massage techniques for a more effective and pampering skincare routine.
Facial Massage Benefits
When we think of the word massage, many of us may think about a relaxing body therapy session that helps relieve tension and stress. Although this is also true for a facial massage, it’s even more beneficial than you might think. Incorporating massages into your skincare routine not only can help to relax facial muscles, but it can also help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, increase collagen production, bring more oxygen and blood flow to the skin, and remove toxins with lymphatic drainage.
Massaging in your nourishing products also ensures better absorption for more effective skincare! I will dive deeper into each of these aspects and how you can incorporate them into your skincare routine. Soon it’ll be your new favorite way to pamper yourself after a long day.
Facial Massage Step-by-Step Guide
1. First, Makeup Removal!
Before massaging skincare into the skin, start first by applying your makeup remover to ensure that you are starting with a clean canvas. My favorite is Foops! Remover, which will melt into your skin and sweep away makeup, debris, and impurities. Even the heaviest makeup application and waterproof makeup will be washed away. Make sure to massage yourself using an outward motion towards your lymph nodes. This will help to move the lymph and encourage lymphatic drainage. Once you have thoroughly massaged the remover into your skin, use a hot damp washcloth to wipe everything away. Rinse your cloth and wipe away any excess until you are satisfied with the result.
2. Cleanse
Next, you can use your cleanser of choice, but my favorite is the 3-in-1 Cleanser from SeneGence. Start by applying the cleanser to your hands and agitating it to a milky foam consistency. The 3-in-1 Cleanser is designed to cleanse, tone, and hydrate your skin. Apply to the face in small circular motions. Here is where you can encourage collagen production and muscle relaxation with little circles on the forehead, cheeks, jawline, and chin. Another motion you can use to help with lymphatic drainage is to use your index finger and thumb to pinch on your jawline. Start from the center of the chin and glide along the jawline toward the ear. Do this to each side 4 to 6 times. The massage also helps by deeply cleansing the skin and removing debris since the firm repetitive motions help to act as manual exfoliation.
3. Serum or Treatments
For this step, the best practice is to pat the serum or treatments into the skin. I can’t recommend my Climate Control Hydration Serum enough, but you can use any of your favorites go-to’s. Dispense the product onto your fingertips or palms and then proceed to gently press/pat the serum into the skin until it has been absorbed. Continue moving outwards towards your lymph nodes on your neck to promote lymph drainage and detoxification.
EYE AREA
The skin around your eye area is the most delicate area on the face; however, this area can also significantly benefit from the massage. Make sure to daily use eye cream. If this is already a part of your routine and you want to tackle your wrinkles, then I would recommend adding retinol serum. For a massage, you will need to use more eye cream than you usually do when if you are simply applying. You want to make sure there is plenty of lubrication for your fingertips to glide around the eye area without pulling or tugging. You can start at the inner area of the upper lid by the bridge of the nose with your thumb and glide it along the brow bone. For the lower eye, you can start at the inner corner and glide outward. These motions can encourage lymphatic drainage, as well as encourage the movement of blood flow and fluid, resulting in a reduction of puffiness and dark circles. You can also massage in small circles where crow’s feet may appear (crow's feet are little lines spreading out from the corners of your eyes) or where they may occur in the future to encourage collagen production in that area.
Perfect Night-Time Facial Massage:
For an amazing evening facial massage, grab your favorite oil or night treatment. My favorites are Nangai Oil and Collagen Night Pak. Nangai Oil is a quick-absorbing, non-greasy natural oil that soothes dry skin with this luxurious blend of exotic Nangai nut and highly effective anti-aging ingredients. angai contains pure Triglycerides: Essential fatty acids that help enhance your skin’s ability to retain precious moisture. Start with small circles on the forehead, cheeks, and chin. Starting at the forehead, place your fingers in a parallel position above your eyebrows. Use an alternating movement -- one hand moving up one hand moving down -- that creates gentle friction in this area to reduce the appearance of the horizontal lines on the forehead. Do these movements for one minute.
Next, use your index and middle fingers, and glide them under and on top of your cheekbones, moving from the nose outward. Place thumbs underneath the jaw bone and two fingertips above the jaw bone (kind of like you’re pinching your chin). With firm pressure, slide from the center of the chin towards the ears. This will help to drain lymphatic fluid while firming the jawline. You can also try a repetitive pinching method along the jawline, which also helps to move lymphatic fluid and lift sagging skin along the jawline. As the final step in your evening routine, use Collagen Night Pak to create a protective veil to help prevent drying that may occur overnight, which leads to unwanted signs of aging, and to seal all the product onto your skin and protect while we sleep. Massage the Collagen Night Pak using the same techniques that were detailed above.
Now you’re armed with products and information on how to give yourself a facial massage that will not only relax the facial muscles but also increase blood flow, collagen production, lymphatic drainage, and better product absorption. It’s time to get your facial massage on! You want to make sure that you aren’t pulling your delicate skin, so be sure to use a product such as an oil or a cleanser that provides plenty of slip.
Suggested Products for a Facial Massage:
