Out of the Ordinary Skincare: Facial Massage Techniques

I’m always on the lookout for ways to incorporate professional facial massage techniques into my at-home skincare routine.

While I love a good spa day, regular appointments can get a bit pricey, and right now, the close quarters of a massage room are a no-no. But you can’t beat the benefits of this focused treatment to your skin’s texture, resilience and shine.   

So next up in our Out of the Ordinary Skincare Series are a few DIY options to keep handy (literally) for when you need to serve good face (Yes, girl!).

Time to put your best face forward!

Massage may seem like a relaxing but simplistic exercise, but don’t underestimate its beauty benefits! Kneading the skin increases blood flow and oxygenates the cells, giving you a brighter, glowing visage. Plus, while it may seem counterintuitive, the movement helps firm and smooth your skin.

As a bonus, you can utilize facial massage to relieve stress, muscle tension in your face, neck and shoulders and headaches.

It also increases the absorption of your products, which is a major money-saver! You can use facial massage techniques to both add product to your skin and remove your makeup, so you can add it to your morning or evening routine (or both!). Just pick a product that has a lasting slippery texture like an oil or a serum to use.

Get A Little Handsy

The Gankin massage, created by Japanese beauty brand Suqqu, is a celeb favorite for puffy or stiff skin, clear indicators of toxin buildup in your lymphatic system. This process is easy enough to perform at home, as the only tools required are your hands and a facial product. The deep stimulating pressure in concentrated areas alleviates stiffness and helps define your cheekbones and jawline while smoothing wrinkles.  

You can watch the steps here. This tutorial is in Japanese but with English subtitles. I dare you not to get sleepy with its blissfully calming tone. That being said, this is a great energizer for your morning beauty ritual. 

Here’s another DIY facial massage technique to try before bed, courtesy of Self Magazine.

1) Squeeze a dime-sized portion of your preferred product into your palms and evenly distribute over your hands and fingertips.

2) Beginning between your brows, press your fingers to your skin and slide up your forehead to the hairline. If your skin is sensitive, acne prone, or oily, use a lighter touch with less pressure.

3) Repeat this step several times, moving your starting spot outward each time, until you’ve massaged your entire forehead. 

4) Starting at the center of your face, sweep your fingertips out across your cheekbones and up to your ears.

5) Repeat this sliding motion along your jawline up to your ears.

6) Gently use vertical strokes from the collarbone up your neck.

Pull Out Your Tool Belt

You don’t just need to work with your hands here, ladies. There are plenty of tools to help you roll out your wrinkles and flatten those frown lines. 

So are you ready to get up close and hands on with your skincare? Will you be adding one of these facial massage techniques to your morning or evening beauty routine? Let me know what you decide in The Badass Beauty Club on Facebook!

LOVE + big smiles!