Learn This Quick Facial Massage Technique

Facial massage can be used to enhance lift and definition (read cheekbones!), to decrease puffiness and congestion and as a muscle release massage, removing tension from the face. It has benefits for all skin types, so even if you have a condition such as rosacea or acne, it is worth incorporating it into your regime.

Facial massage comes in many forms, each with a different focus, ranging from acupressure and manual lymphatic massage to Ayurvedic and facial lifting techniques. Before you think this sounds too time consuming and complicated, try a simple version at home each evening using your organic facial oil of choice.

Everyday Facial Massage

End of the day is best. Work this into your night routine to help create a ritual for unwinding before bed. There are quite intensive and more complicated techniques, but the simpler the routine, the easier it is to make time for and, as with most things, the benefits are in the frequency, rather than elaborately once a week.

Most massage is done with the index finger. Gentle tapping around the more delicate areas can be done with the little or ring finger. The pressure you apply should feel pleasant, not too firm and not so light that it feels like you are just applying moisturiser. Think about the area you are massaging too – for eyes use lighter pressure, while the cheeks and jawline can have a firmer touch. Ideally massage at the speed of your pulse so you are working with the blood circulation – this is slow but steady. First prep the skin by cleansing – we recommend the Double Cleanse.

• Step 1: Secure your hair back from your forehead, then take a generous few drops of your favourite facial oil, warm between your hands and follow the instructions below.
• Step 2: Cup your whole face with your hands and inhale the aromatherapeutic benefits of the essential oils used in the product for a few moments.
• Step 3: Hold your thumbs just above your temples and lay three fingers on the centre of the forehead. Massage the forehead in a spiral motion from the centre out to the temples.
• Step 4: Using gentle pressure, start above the eyes and below the eyebrows. Move the fingers from the bridge of the nose to the outer corners. Then switch to the ring finger and move to the under eye and slide the fingers from inner corner to outer.
• Step 5: Glide the fingers down the bridge of the nose, circulating around the nostrils.
• Step 6: Move to the mouth and glide the fingers around the mouth, above and below the lips, from the centre outwards.
• Step 7: Move from the jawline up the cheeks to the temples using slightly firmer strokes or a spiral motion. Then place a forefinger and index finger just under the cheekbones and starting from the centre of the face, press under the cheekbones into the cheeks, moving out towards the hair and ears. Repeat this cheek line sculpt twice if you have time.
• Step 8: Using the thumb and the side of the forefinger work from the centre of the face along the jawline towards the ears pinching and applying pressure to the jawline.
• Step 9: Stroke the nape of the neck from the jaw downwards towards the chest.
• Step 10: Cup your whole face in both hands and inhale as you slide your hands out towards the hairline and bottom of the ears. Finish by applying pressure to the lobes of the ears.