Published: October 15, 2024
While you hopefully already have a solid skincare regimen, one way to turn things up a notch is by incorporating a facial massage into your routine. Why? Join CBGärdN as we explain the many benefits that a simple facial massage can offer. We’ll also be sharing a few different facial massage techniques that you can easily try!
Gives the Skin a Rejuvenated Glow
One of the most loved benefits provided by a facial massage is the radiant glow that it bestows upon the skin. This isn’t just hearsay either – a study carried out back in 2002 found that the majority of people who take the time to massage their skin noticed that their skin looked fresher and more rejuvenated afterward.
This is all down to how a facial massage quickly gives circulation a boost. This essentially means that the rate at which your blood flows around your skin speeds up, which will immediately leave your face looking brighter and rosier.
Minimizes the Look of Wrinkles and Sagging
Can something as simple as a facial massage really minimize the appearance of skin aging? Science says yes, with research showing that committing to a daily facial massage for eight weeks, alongside a topical skincare routine, can improve the look of wrinkles and sagging, as well as skin texture.
This is due to how a facial massage leaves the skin cells feeling more adept at producing new collagen and elastin fibers. These are the proteins that give the complexion its smoothness and firmness to leave the skin looking younger.
Can Help to Reduce the Appearance of Acne
Acne is a skin condition that so many people struggle to overcome. While a facial massage on its own isn’t going to magically clear up your complexion, combining this with the right skincare products could soon have you well on your way to a pimple-free appearance.
How? It’s all thanks to lymphatic drainage. This is when your skin cells eliminate toxins, bacteria, and other impurities. As you may know, all of these impurities only exacerbate breakouts. By speeding up lymphatic drainage, your acne-prone skin could soon start feeling healthier and clearer.
Smooths Away the Look of Puffiness
Does your face often look puffy? This can be caused by a few different factors, one of which is a sluggish lymphatic flow.
The way in which a facial massage can give lymphatic drainage a boost greatly reduces the appearance of puffiness and swelling. In time, this can give the face a much more sculpted and defined look.
Encourages Product Penetration
It goes without saying that when you apply skincare products to your face, you want them to work to their full potential. There are several steps that you can take to encourage this, such as layering your products in the correct order and ensuring that your skin is clean before applying any products.
Another way to boost product penetration is by indulging in a facial massage while you’re applying your products. This leaves skin cells feeling more receptive to the products that you apply, enabling them to put those ingredients to full use.
Relaxes Facial Tension
Did you know that there are around 30 (depending on how they’re counted) muscles on each side of your face? Around 20 of these are main muscles, meaning that they’re the ones that move the most when you make facial expressions. Those same muscles also tense up whenever you’re feeling stressed, causing creases such as forehead lines and eye wrinkles.
If you want your skin to look as smooth and youthful as possible, reducing that tension and encouraging your facial muscles to relax is so important. This is something that a facial massage can really help with. Not only will it physically relax the muscles in your face but the simple act of a massage is also a great way to reduce the stress and tension that you’re feeling in your mind. With stress playing a big role when it comes to a number of visible skin concerns, de-stressing your complexion can go a long way in restoring the look of youth and radiance.
Facial Massage Tools and Techniques to Try
Now that you know how beneficial a facial massage can be, you’re probably eager to give this a try! However, don’t start squeezing and rubbing your skin in a haphazard fashion. Instead, if you want to experience all of the benefits detailed above, give one of these tried-and-tested techniques a go:
Massaging With Your Fingers
While there are plenty of facial massage tools out there that you can turn to, the easiest way to get started is by using your fingers. There are several massage techniques that your fingers can successfully accomplish while you’re applying your skincare products. Here’s one to try the next time you’re cleansing your face. Ideally, use a moisturizing cleanser, such as the CB Facial Cleanser:
- Apply your cleanser to your face and then run your fingers down the bridge of your nose before sweeping them outward and under your eyes.
- Bring your fingers back over your cheekbones and run them outward. Then, do the same underneath your cheekbones.
- Then, move to your forehead. Start at the center and sweep your fingers outward and upward. Use your thumbs for the vertical strokes and your other fingers for the horizontal ones.
- Move down to your chin, sweeping your index finger from your lips down to your jawline, and then from the center of your chin to your ears. Keep one finger above your jawline and another underneath.
- Finally, work on your neck. Sweep your fingers upward from your neck to your jawline. Then, use small circular motions to move from your chest up to your neck.
Here’s another easy technique to try – one that works best when combined with an oil-infused serum. The CB Göld Vitamin C Antioxidant Élixir from the CB Göld Collection works beautifully with this facial massage technique:
- Apply the serum all over your face.
- Use your middle finger to apply pressure to the center of your forehead for three seconds.
- Work your finger downwards until you reach the spot in between your eyebrows.
- Repeat this for three sets.
Using a Gua Sha Tool
While a facial massage tool isn’t strictly necessary, it can sometimes help to enhance the benefits provided by a finger massage. Gua sha tools have recently been particularly popular for this, which is why we’ve included one in the CB Thermo-Repair Collection. These tools harness an ancient Chinese massage technique. They enable pressure to be applied evenly to the face, which can be difficult to do with your fingers. Plus, place your gua sha tool into the fridge for a while and the cool temperature will help to soothe the look of puffiness and inflammation.
What do you actually need to do with your gua sha tool? Here are some simple steps to follow:
- First, apply a moisturizer to your face and neck. The CB Night Renewing Creme is a great option for ensuring that your skin is well-lubricated and easy to massage.
- Start at your neck, sweeping the wide part of the tool upward toward your jawline.
- Then, run the curved end of your tool along your jawline, from your chin to your ear. Do this on both sides of your face.
- Take the flat and wide side of the tool and place this on your cheek. Slowly move it upward, over your cheekbone, and stop once you reach your ear. Again, repeat on the other side of your face.
- Then, move to the inner corner of one eye. Sweep the narrow side of the tool under your eye and toward your hairline. Repeat with the other eye.
- Move the tool to between your eyebrows. Run it along each side of your head, stopping at your hairline.
- Finally, sweep the tool from above your eyebrows toward your hairline.
Reflexology-Inspired Massages
Are you familiar with reflexology? This is another ancient Chinese massage technique. It focuses on the acupuncture points on the face and is a fantastic way to relieve the feeling of tension and inflammation.
The results that you experience will depend on the specific pressure points that you target. Here are a couple to try:
- Tilt your head forward and place your index finger in between your eyebrows. It should be supporting the weight of your head. Rub your finger in a firm, circular motion while also practicing steady and even breathing.
- Place your index and middle fingers onto your temples. Then, gently rub them in a circular motion. Again, try to practice some deep breathing while doing so.
Facial Rollers
Facial rollers are another useful massage tool to have in your beauty arsenal. Just like a gua sha tool, they’re great for applying an even amount of pressure to the face.
Before you get started with a facial roller, apply a lightweight, oil-free cream to your skin, just like the CB Phyto Satin Finish Cream. Then, follow these steps:
- Place your facial roller at the center of your face.
- Start rolling it outward. This direction is important as it helps to stimulate the body’s lymphatic system.
- As you move your roller, keep in line with your natural facial contours, ending each motion at the outer sides of your face.
Limit your use of your roller to one or two minutes per session. You should only use it once a week to start with but can then work up to two or three times a week.
Summary
Although there may only be a limited number of scientific studies that focus on the benefits that a facial massage can provide to the skin, those that have been carried out show very promising results. There is also so much anecdotal evidence out there that confirms how a simple facial massage can be a huge game-changer for the complexion. The only way to find out whether or not these techniques will help your skin is to give them a try for yourself! Start with some of the finger massage techniques that we shared above and, if you feel that your skin seems to be improving, it may then be worth investing in one or two facial massage tools.
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