How to Massage Your Face Like a Pro

In times of stress (hello, 2020!), not only does the skin on our faces often go into meltdown, but the muscles behind the scenes hold one heck of a lot of tension, too. Enter: facial massage. Admittedly no new practice (it has been around for 3,000 years), facial massage began as part of traditional Chinese medicine. And while it won’t address skin concerns like acne, rosacea, congestion, and pigmentation (for that, you’ll need to see a GP and/or a dermatologist), it can offer lots of other benefits to your face.
“The main benefits of daily massage on the face are removal of tension and stress in muscle tissue. Massage will also remove toxins, help to drain and eliminate puffiness and fluid retention, and improve blood circulation,” says Nichola Joss, A-list beauty therapist. “Over 40 muscles make up the scaffolding of the face,” adds Inge Theron, Founder of FaceGym, the world’s first gym dedicated to your face. “And just like the muscles in the body, the more you move them, the more lifted, tightened and toned they become. Daily muscle stimulation is key.”
According to Eilidh Smith, Founder of specialist studio Skinwork in London, facial massage can provide an emotional release. Adding massage into your night-time skincare routine will help turn it from a chore into a meditative ritual you look forward to, encouraging you to ring-fence time dedicated to self-care and relaxation before hitting the hay.

 

MEET THE PROS
Inge Theron: Founder of FaceGym

Eilidh Smith: Founder of Skinwork

Nichola Joss: Celebrity Facial Massage Expert

 

STEP 1
KEEP IT CLEAN
Thoroughly wash your hands—and we mean thoroughly—before 

STEP 2
PICK YOUR PRODUCT
All our experts advise using oil. Eilidh recommends something fragrance-free and non-comedogenic (that won’t clog your pores), like grapeseed oil.

STEP 3
PREP YOUR FACE
Apply oil to your palms and press it into the cheeks, sides of the face and forehead. Sweep down from the ear through the centre of your neck and end
at the opposite shoulder. Repeat three times on each side.

SAFETY FIRST
Try not to stretch the skin—this is counterproductive. “Keep an eye on little folds and wrinkles when doing the exercises,” says Inge. “Stop, reposition and realign your technique, ironing out any little lines before continuing.” And if your skin is touch-sensitive, perform fewer repetitions.

Under the Eyes
Using the three middle fingers, make light, fast taps across your upper cheeks and under-eye pouches (you don’t need a jade roller for this but it can help to de-puff your under-eyes).

Right Cheek
Place your right hand on the right side of your face. Lightly pull the cheek’s skin back. Now, breathe out forcefully towards the left for 10 reps. Try as hard as you can to work against the stretch created from your hand. Repeat on the other side.

Lips
Keep your mouth closed, and with forefingers on top of lips and thumbs underneath lips, press and hold. Then stretch the lips outwards. If your lips are chapped, skip this step or apply a moisturising lip oil or balm first, such as Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Lip Repair Potion, ₹2,100, or Kama Ayurveda Almond And Coconut Lip Balm, ₹575.

Forehead
Place one hand just above the hairline, with four fingers at the top of your forehead, and hold. Using your other hand, make firm, circular movements across your forehead with your fingers, to reduce tension.

Eyebrows
With your forefinger and middle finger, create medium-to-firm pressure at the start of the brow. Hold for a second, then press up and out towards your temple. Repeat three times.

Chin
Using your forefinger and thumb, pinch horizontally and vertically to plump out the chin. 

Between the Brows
Take your index finger and place it on your corrugator muscle, right between your eyebrows, with a little pressure. Raise your brows up and down 10 times.

Corner of the Eye
Using your forefinger or ring finger, press lightly into the inner corner of your eye, moving across to the outer corner in the same way you might apply concealer—this will help to drain fluid.

Temple
Place your index fingers on your temples, supporting the skin (pulling slightly towards hairline). Take your middle finger and gently sweep under the eye area towards the bridge of the nose. Then slowly work along the eyebrow. Do this six times.

Nose
Working from the bridge of the nose, sweep outwards and upwards towards the hairline. Do this six times. 

Left Cheek
Stretch an arm over your head and hook your four fingers under the opposite cheek. Press and lift for five to 10 seconds. Alternatively, simply use the heel of your hand. Repeat on the other side.

Corner of the Jaw
Open your mouth and place four fingers on the corner of your jaw, with your forefinger closest to your ear. Pressing up and out with medium pressure, make small, circular movements to release tension.

Jawline
Make a claw on each hand with your index and middle finger, and with palms facing outwards, sweep the knuckles from the chin to the end of the jawline. Do this six times.

SHORT ON TIME?
Commit a few steps to memory, and integrate them into your nightly skincare routine. If you don’t want to use oils, just make sure your moisturiser is silicone-free to avoid pilling, and thick enough to take time to work into the skin—we love Innisfree Green Tea Seed Deep Cream, ₹1,950, and Bobbi Brown Hydrating Water Fresh Cream, ₹5,600.