I have only made time for one massage in my life, and although it was great for my arms, legs, and back, I was so shocked when they moved to my face. I had never put oil on my face (which at the time was a little uncomfortable because I didn’t know it was going to happen) but, looking back, my face felt the most rejuvenated after that appointment. With the trend of gua sha and jade rollers, we forget that we have some of the best tools at the ends of our hands: our fingertips!
Facial massaging is not only great for your skin, but also for your lymphatic system. These following motions will help release toxins from your body, soften fine lines, and revitalize your skin.
Currently, with the impacts of COVID, it might be a while before you are comfortable letting someone get that close to you, so we figured out the top 5 motions to give yourself a five-star facial massage. My favorite thing is implementing a few of these motions each time I apply moisturizer in the morning.
To get the full facial massage effect you will need to apply a heavy moisturizer or facial oil such as Jojoba Oil, Rosehip Oil, Tea Tree, Squalene, or Marula. Personally, I use the Rosehip Oil from The Ordinary, but other oils have special benefits for different skin types. Forbes goes in detail about which to choose for your skin.
Now you are ready for the massage. Remember to breathe deeply, take your time, and gently add pressure (not too harsh).
Motion One:
To warm up your lymphatic system, start in the middle of your forehead, pressing down with your index, middle, and ring finger slowly trace the edge of your face, to your temples, stopping to add pressure. Then continue down, over your cheekbones, down your jaw all the way to your collarbones. When you reach the bottom, take a moment, maybe even a deep breath, and push in a little. Then add a tapping motion for a few beats to increase the lymphatic drainage. Repeat that two more times (three times total).
Motion Two:
Using your ring finger, start right below the inner corner of your eye, pressing up to your eyebrows, over the brow bone, and then move down along the upper edge of your cheekbone back towards the inner corner of your eye where you started. Do this move 4 times.
Motion Three:
Flip your thumbs like your pointing them downwards, and place them on each side of your nose. Now, apply pressure, and trace underneath your cheekbones up to the spot in between your ears and your temples. After repeating two more times (three total), on the fourth repetition, move past your face and take your thumbs all the way to the spot above your ears (two more times). You will do this move five times in total.
Motion Four:
Starting an inch or so below your bottom lip, use your middle and ring fingers to trace a narrow “U” shape around and up past the corners of your mouth. This move targets drooping of the sides of your mouth. Repeat this move five times in total.
Motion Five:
Bend both your index and middle finger of one hand, placing the knuckles on each side of your jaw. Use the weight of your head and slowly drag that hand on the jaw transitioning the move down the neck towards the collarbone. Repeat that move five times, and then switch to the other side of your face repeating the move five times.
Bonus Motion:
For an instant eye lift, apply your favorite under eye cream, take the index, middle, and ring of both hands gently tapping/stroking in an upwards motion under your eye, towards your temples.
There you go! You just completed your quick and easy facial massage. Do this a few times a week, or whenever you feel you need to relieve some tension. Self-care is so important and can be as simple as taking 3-5 more minutes to give your skin some attention. You will not regret it once you are glowing with plump skin, even if it’s under a mask!