How to Face Massage
Facial massage is a wonderful way to unwind and rejuvenate the skin after a long day. It improves circulation and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles when done religiously. This luxury treatment can be done at home or in a spa, and there are many techniques and tools you can use to achieve your desired results. Whether you're looking to give yourself a facial massage or you want to learn how to give one to someone else, here are some tips to help you get started.
Choose the right time and place
The best time to give yourself a facial massage is at night after you've removed your makeup and cleansed your skin. You can also do it in the morning, as long as you've washed your face first, but this practice is better at night since its truly an all-around relaxing experience. It's important to choose a quiet and comfortable space where you won't be interrupted. Dim the lights, light some candles and play some calming music to create a relaxing atmosphere.
Gather your tools
You don't need any especially fancy equipment to give yourself a luxury high-end facial massage. In the simplest sense, all you really need is your hands and some oil or lotion. A few other optional tools may be necessary eventually but not if you’re just starting out. Some more advanced people prefer to use a jade roller, gua sha tool, or facial massage brush to help stimulate circulation and enhance the massage experience. You can even also use a facial steamer to open up your pores and make your skin more receptive to the massage before beginning if you’re really looking for a way to elevate your daily or weekly facial massage experience.
Some of these special tools include jade rollers and gua sha stones. These tools are better than your fingers at promoting circulation and reducing puffiness. Although helpful, if you’re just starting out, they’re not necessary. Jade rollers are small rolling tools made from jade stone and used to massage the face in a rolling motion. I mean, the name kinda gives the purpose away. The roller is typically moved over the skin in an upward and outward direction, starting at the neck and working up toward the forehead. Gua sha stones (as shown in the photo) are flat, smooth stones used in a light scraping motion. This even distribution of pressure stimulates circulation and helps to drain excess fluids. Both jade rollers and gua sha tools can be used to massage the entire face, or they can be focused on specific areas, such as the under-eye area or the forehead. Facial massage with jade rollers and gua sha tools can be done as part of a skincare routine or as a standalone treatment.
Facial massage brushes are another story entirely. Less popular than the traditional roller or stone, brushes are used to massage the face in order to improve circulation, exfoliate the skin, and stimulate the production of collagen. These brushes are typically made of soft, flexible bristles so that they are gentle on the skin. Moving in a tiny circular motion, their bristles can be used on the entire face or focused on specific areas, such as the cheeks or the forehead. Some facial massage brushes are designed to be used with a skincare product, such as a serum or a moisturizer, while others can be used on their own (this technique is called dry brushing). Facial massage brushes can be an effective way to improve the appearance of the skin and give it a more youthful, radiant look.
Prepare your skin
Before you start any facial massage with or without the use of tools, your skin should be clean and hydrated. Toners or facial mists are great products to use to refresh your skin and help the oil or lotion glide more smoothly against whatever pressure giver you choose to use. They are also easily reapplied since your skin is bound to soak them all up. Face masks or treatment serums are also great options if you’re looking to target specific skin concerns. But the best product to use in a facial massage is one that has been carefully crafted for facial massages, a facial oil.
Facial oils are your best bet for moisturizing and nourishing the skin during a facial massage since that’s what they’ve been created to do. The best facial oils are formulated using plant-based oils. This is because plant oils tend to be rich in fatty acids and other skin-loving nutrients, yum. When used in a facial massage, facial oils can aid the tool or your fingers along the skin, avoiding any tugging or microtears. Two common side effects to this practice if the skin is not prepped properly. Facial massage with facial oil should be a relaxing and pampering experience that improves the overall appearance and health of the skin, not one that is uncomfortable and causing further irritation.
Start with the neck and shoulders
Facial massage isn't just about the face. It's also important to relax the muscles in your neck and shoulders since these muscles work all day to hold you up. As a result, all these small but mighty muscles can hold a lot of tension and excess fluids that need to be relieved and drained. Apply some facial oil to your neck and begin by gently rubbing the oil in. When your muscles feel warmed up, you can begin the actual massage. Begin by placing the tool or your hands on your collarbone and sliding them up to your neck. Use circular motions to massage the muscles on either side of your spine. When massaging along your lymph nodes, you may feel some fluid dripping down the back of your throat. Although kinda gross, this is normal and good. It means your body is releasing any fluids it’s been holding onto. Work your way slowly to the base of your skull before starting the treatment on your face.
Massage your face
Once you've finished with your neck and shoulders, your mind and body should be relaxed and in the mood for the star of the show, your face. You can use a combination of different techniques, such as circular motions, tapping, and longer strokes. These techniques work to stimulate circulation, improve the tone and texture of your skin, and drain any fluid your body may be holding onto. The face can feel daunting if you’ve never performed a facial massage before. To make it feel more manageable, it’s helpful to break up the face into more digestible pieces.
Forehead
Use a gua sha tool or your fingertips to make circular motions on your forehead, starting at the center and moving outward. You can also use your palms to smooth out any wrinkles or lines. You want all the motion you do to move from the center toward your hairline. Pull gently, you’re not trying to make any new wrinkles here.
Eyes
Use your ring fingers to gently tap around the eye area, being careful not to pull or tug on the skin because the skin around the eyes is extra fragile. This is a good place to use a jade roller or gua sha tool. If you’re feeling puffy, try placing your tool in the fridge for a few minutes before you begin around your eyes. The cool stone helps to calm the under eyes.
Nose
Use your index fingers to massage the sides of your nose, starting at the top and moving down to the nostrils. These motions can help to reduce sinus pressure and improve your sense of smell. It’s like giving yourself a new superpower!
Mouth
Use your middle fingers to massage the muscles around your mouth, starting at the corners and moving inward. You can also use your thumbs to press gently on the jawline. Your mouth and jaw hold a lot of your stress throughout the day, so take your time here to give some love to these seriously stressed-out muscles.
Finish with a moisturizer
Moisturizers are designed to hydrate the skin and lock in moisture, or lock in any serum benefits applied before it. Additionally, it helps to keep the skin smooth and soft. When used after a facial massage not only does it feel good to lather on that goodness, but it also seals in the benefits of the massage and the facial oil that your used, maintaining the skin's hydration levels.
There are a multitude of different moisturizers to pick from, and the best one for you will depend on your skin type and skin goals. But mostly your skin type. Some moisturizers are designed to be lightweight and easily absorbed (for those with more oily skin), while others are more emollient and may be better suited for dry or sensitive skin. Always choose products, especially moisturizers, that are formulated for your skin type so that you’re properly feeding your skin what it’s craving. You don’t want to be feeding someone chocolate milk when they’re craving lemonade, you feel?
To finish a facial massage, simply apply a small amount of moisturizer to your face as you usually would. Be sure to cover your entire face, including the neck and décolletage. You can also follow up with an additional layer of facial oil or serum if you wish, to give your skin an extra boost of hydration and nourishment.
