Besides the feel-good factor, there are many benefits of facial massage. A trip to the spa every day or every week may be out of reach, so it’s time to learn a little DIY. You can achieve amazing results without paying a dime. In this article, we will discuss how to give yourself a facial massage, what tools to use, and how your skin will benefit from facial massage.
IN A NUTSHELL
Main Takeaways: With very few exceptions, the best way to give yourself a facial massage is to go up and away from the face rather than down and towards the middle.
Good to Know: Whether you use tools or just your hands, it’s crucial to make sure you start out with super-clean instruments on super-clean skin.
Recommended Products: Just Dew It Hydrating Serum and Nectar of the C Vitamin C Serum.
Benefits of a Facial Massage
From improving your appearance to making you feel like a million bucks, the benefits of a facial massage are numerous. Here are just a few:
Facial massage restores a healthy glow - The correct massage movements will increase the blood circulation to your skin, bringing color to the surface and resulting in a healthy glow.
Facial massage releases stress and tension - By applying gentle pressure to the muscles in the face, you help relieve them of tension.
Facial massage helps drain your lymphatic system - It is thought that draining the lymphatic system is a great way to rid the body of toxins and fluids. This can help improve the look of the skin as well.
Facial massage feels good - It’s a great way to relax, and it helps relieve stress.
How to Give Yourself a Facial Massage
1. Start with clean skin - Before you even think of giving yourself a facial massage, make sure you cleanse your skin with So Clean! vegan facial cleanser. We definitely don’t want to be massaging in any makeup, dirt, excess oil, or any other impurities that collect on your skin during the day. Also make sure you’re starting with clean hands (or tools, if you’re using any) for the same reason.
2. Add a few drops of serum in your hands - Your favorite facial serum or oil will do nicely. This will give your fingers some needed slip, so they glide across rather than pull your skin while you are massaging your skin. Rub your hands together to warm them up.
3. Use both hands - to mirror your movements on each side of your face.
4. Move up and out - Start from the bridge of your nose and gently apply pressure to the skin, moving up and out towards your hairline. Always work upward to lift the skin, rather than pull it down and contribute to unwanted lines and sagginess.
Remember that the goal is to massage the muscles in your face, so apply just enough pressure to massage them without irritating your skin. You also want to be careful around the eye area, as that skin is thinner than the rest of the skin on your face and can’t take the same pressure.
5. Massage the outer part of your face - Gently make small, circular motions on your jawline and up by your temples. Because the skin on that part of your face is a little stronger, you can apply a little more pressure.
6. Go over your forehead - For this part of the face, you can either make small, circular motions, or simply apply pressure moving up and away from the center of your face. You can also apply pressure to your eyebrows, again moving from the center out.
7. Gently go over your eye area - As we mentioned, the eye area is very delicate, so if you’re new to facial massage, you might want to wait until you have some basic techniques mastered. A good method to start with is to use your ring fingers to gently press on the area under the eye, close to your nose. Gently sweep out to your temples from there.
8. Massage your neck - Remember how we mentioned that a facial massage can help drain your lymphatic system? Well, massaging your neck and behind your ears is how you do that. First, starting from the center of your chin, use your index finger and thumb to gently massage along your jawline towards your ear to help drain your lymph nodes.
Next, press gently on the spot just behind your ears and follow your neck down, applying light pressure along the way, and ending at the bottom of your neck. Press three times there, just above your collarbone. Repeat those motions several times, making your way from your outer jawline, towards your chin.
Facial Massage Tools
If you’re new to facial massage, you might find it a bit easier to use a tool. Here are a few that will get you going:
Contouring Facial Massage Roller
Like many facial massage tools, contouring facial massage rollers are said to do everything from contour your jawline, tighten your skin, drain your lymph nodes, and even help with puffiness.
Germanium Face Roller
Germanium face rollers are made with stones infused with germanium powder, a chemical said to balance out harmful positive ions acquired from all the electronic equipment we use these days. Germanium face rollers claim to help everything from puffiness to lymphatic drainage to firming face muscles.
Gua Sha
If you happen to follow Lizzo, you might already be familiar with gua sha, a small tool that’s usually a jade or rose quartz. Said to help define areas of the face like the jaw, it’s been used for centuries to help improve the skin.
Jade Roller
Those who are fans of gua sha will probably also enjoy using a jade roller. Among the many things it does is reduce puffiness and dark under eye circles. It's also great for massaging in your favorite facial serum.
As you can see, you don’t have to be a professional facialist to give yourself a facial massage. Whether you invest in tools or not, it’s easy to skip the spa and do it yourself!
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