If you've ever admired your skin after a treatment and thought, "That but glow! ", we will let you in on a little secret. One of the keys to a radiant, timeless complexion is a well-performed facial massage. Massaging the face not only relieves tension, but also promotes blood circulation, gives your skin an immediate boost and even helps that your products will absorb better. Read on to learn more about the benefits of facial massage and how to treat yourself to one at home.
What is facial massage?
With roots in China, Mexico, Hungary and Sweden, facial massage has developed a lot over the years. Eminence Organics International trainer Brian Goodwin Says, "Therapeutic massage began about 4,500 years ago and has expanded to include the discovery of face-lifting massage, lymphatic drainage, reflexology, the Swedish style and other techniques." Facial massage applies the principles of body massage to the muscles of the face. Not only does this reduce facial tension (which leads to fine lines and wrinkles), it also increases blood and lymph circulation to help rejuvenate the skin.
Benefits of facial massage
As Brian says, "The real benefits of massage are in massaging what's under the skin." He compares the structure of the skin to a house: it has a roof (epidermal tissue), a framework (skin tissue) and a foundation (subcutaneous tissue, fat and muscle tissue). Skin problems and conditions don't just affect the roof. Rather, they extend to the foundation. When we apply active and targeted pressure on the facial muscles, we can treat skin conditions from the foundation, which leads to better and longer-lasting results.
Here is a closer look at the benefits of facial massage for the skin.
Increases blood circulation
ONE The 2018 study found that stimulating the skin with a five-minute facial massage increased blood flow for up to 10 minutes. Better blood circulation goes hand in hand with more oxygen and nutrients – both of which are important for the skin to perform important functions.
The short-term result of increased blood flow is an instant glow. When blood rises to the surface, the skin radiates from the inside out. The long-term result is greater and more efficient collagen and elastin production. Over time, this contributes to a stronger and more resilient complexion.
Activates the lymphatic system
The lymphatic system acts as the body's garbage disposal: it helps remove waste and toxins from body tissues, including the skin. But as Brian explains, "Our lifestyle tends to keep the lymphatic system from doing its job because our life is stagnant." When things get sluggish, toxins build up and block our lymph nodes, making the skin look puffy.
Lymphatic drainage is a gentle massage technique that encourages the movement of lymph fluids throughout the body. This type of massage targets the lymph nodes under the ears and neck, helping to drain toxins and remove excess waste. This in turn minimizes swelling and helps to "deflate" the skin.
Lifts & plump skin
We have a lot of tension on our faces, from furrowed brows to pursed lips and clenched jaws. When the muscles under our skin (almost 43 to be precise) are young and strong, they can quickly recover from facial tension. However, Brian explains, “These muscles lose their tone over time and the foundation begins to slide. When the foundation slips off, cheeks form, loosening the tissue around the eyes and making the entire face slack. “As those wrinkles deepen, fine lines and wrinkles can also develop (see you, forehead lines).
These muscles lose tone over time and the foundation begins to slide. When the foundation slips off, cheeks form, loosening the tissues around the eyes and making the entire face slack.
The facial massage works like a non-surgical face lift and helps to tighten the muscles under the skin. Like the rest of the body, the more you exercise these muscles, the stronger they get. Over time, facial massage (and even Facial Yoga) can improve skin firmness and resilience, helping to smooth out wrinkles and keep them toned, firm and toned.
Improves product intake
Massage also helps increase the penetration of the active ingredients in your preferred skin care regimen. The heat generated by the warmth of your hands and the activation of the facial muscles makes the skin more accessible for product absorption. This increases the efficiency and effectiveness of the key ingredients as they can more easily get into the deeper layers of the skin (the foundation) to address specific skin problems and conditions.
How to do facial massage at home
Convinced? Follow these facial massage steps to indulge yourself at home.
1. Clean your hands and face
Always (Always start with a clean base. Prep your skin by cleaning and removing all makeup. And make sure your hands are clean so you don't transfer bacteria to your newly cleaned complexion. The last thing you want is to massage dirt and grime back into your skin.
2. Warm product in hands
The key to a successful facial massage is slip. You never want to feel like you're pulling or pulling on your skin. A small amount Serum, oil or concentrate help your fingers to move more gently over your face – and ensure that the active ingredients reach the deepest layers of the skin. Simply apply a small amount of the product to your palms and rub the formula to evenly distribute it on your hands and fingertips. Our choice: Rose Hips Triple C + E Firming Oil. Or combine the massage with the cleansing step and choose our Stone Crop Cleansing Oil.
3. Use light but firm pressure
You want to apply enough pressure to really feel and move the muscles under the skin. Brian advises, "When you massage, work with muscles, not just the surface of your skin, and apply pressure in a targeted manner." That means don't go too hard for your skin. A facial massage is not a deep tissue massage: apply firm pressure but keep it gentle.
When it comes to massage, work with muscles, not just the surface of the skin, and apply targeted pressure.
4. Start massaging the lymphatic area
Start by activating your lymphatic system. Use your fingertips to massage the lymph nodes under your ears and on the sides of your neck. Use wide circles sticking out from under your ears, towards your neck, and back down your jaw. This encourages the buildup that causes you to feel puffy or puffy to keep moving.
5. Knead the sides of your face
Next, aim for the sides of your face. Using circular motions, massage the circumference of your face along the sides of your jaw and over your cheekbones. Remember to push your skin up and out – not down. This will help lift sagging skin and prevent the skin from drooping any further. Repeat this process for two to three minutes, focusing on the areas where you are most tensioned (usually around the jaw).
6. Smooth forehead lines
Now for those annoying forehead lines. Press your fingers between your browbones and slowly slide them across your forehead. Repeat this movement over your forehead, gently pulling the skin up and out. Massaging against the lines (rather than with them) will help smooth them out in the right direction.
7. Be extra careful around the eyes
Next is the eye area. As always, be extremely sensitive to this area where the skin is thinner and more fragile. Position your fingers on either side of your nose and gently guide them up towards your temples. This action helps fight puffiness, lift sagging skin, and wake up the eye area.
8. Finish with your neck & décolleté
Finally, aim for your neck and cleavage. Using light vertical strokes, massage the skin from the chest over the neck to the jaw. This will help reactivate the lymphatic system and smooth out any fine lines that have built up in this often neglected area.
Discover Face Yoga at home
After enjoying a facial massage, you can also try facial yoga to get blood flow to this area. To release some tension from your upper body, pull your shoulders down to relax. Then, using your fingertips, gently smooth them down your forehead to your temples. Take deep breaths in and out as you apply this gentle pressure as your knuckles cross your forehead. You can do this four or five times, or until you relax. Take three fingers, reach for the temple on the opposite side and tap it gently.
Another facial yoga movement is to stretch our necks. Start by straightening your head, relaxing your shoulders, and raising your hand up and up to reach the opposite side of your head. With your fingers on the opposite side of your head, gently straighten your neck and shoulders and hold for three seconds. Repeat on the other side.
Try this pucker lips exercise
That is fun! You want to pucker your lips left and then right, with your head following the direction of your lips. As you turn your lips to the left, start by turning your head as well and lifting it up at a 45-degree angle. Hold this position for three seconds. Repeat on the right side, rotating your lips and head to the right, keeping your head at a 45 degree angle. Hold for three seconds. Repeat this exercise about five times.
Treat yourself to an eye massage
Take two fingers and circle under and around the eyes over the forehead area, pausing at the temples. You can do this five times. For another eye exercise, place your index finger on your upper lip and your middle finger under your lower lip. Then return to the temple and repeat five times on each side.
Relax with a forehead massage
Sweep ten fingers up to your temple five times on each side. Place your fingertips around your eyes and brush your fingers down to the hairline. Finally, slide your fingers over your face and neck. Another alternative is to slide up the side of the neck as well.
For a full explanation of these lymphatic facial massage techniques, check out this In The Mix video with our Lead Skin Care Trainer. Natalie Pergar.
(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKSm2QVbklg (/ embed)
Should I use massage tools?
You can certainly use devices like jade rollers and gua sha to do your facial massage, but we're partially interested in using the hands. This allows for better control over the pressure and the ability to use your fingers to capture particularly tense areas. The exception: your eye area. A cool jade roller – or our stainless steel roller Hibiscus Ultra Lift Eye Cream – Can work wonders for puffy, tired eyes. Just put it in the refrigerator before applying for a super soothing eye treatment.
Here's how to add a massage to your skin care routine
The secret to long-term results is getting a regular facial massage. Beauty experts recommend adding a facial massage to your skin regimen two to three times a week. This can be helpful in promoting blood circulation, relieving tension, and lifting and tightening your complexion over time. Whether you choose your morning or night routine is up to you. We recommend adding extra strength to your skin before bed (after all, it performs most of its key functions while you sleep).
This post was originally published in September 2019 and has been updated for accuracy and completeness.