How to Give Yourself a Facial Massage

Co-authored by Marty Morales

Last Updated: February 15, 2022 Approved

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Facial massages increase circulation to your facial tissue, resulting in brighter, youthful-looking skin. Facial massages can also help to lift and firm the skin, reducing the appearance of puffiness and wrinkles. As an added benefit, a good facial massage reduces stress, leaving you feeling peaceful and relaxed. Treat yourself to a massage once a day, either in the morning or at night before you go to sleep.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Face-Brightening Massage

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1
Start with clean skin. Complete your face-washing routine before conducting your massage. Cleanse your face using a gentle cleanser or oil, rinse it with lukewarm water, then pat your face dry with a towel.
- Make sure you take your makeup off before giving yourself a facial massage.^{[1]
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  Expert Source
  
  Marty Morales
  Certified Massage Therapist
  
  Expert Interview. 20 December 2019.}
2
Apply a light layer of face oil. Using a bit of oil helps your fingers move smoothly across your face, rather than dragging on your skin. It also leaves your face bright and glowing when you're through with the massage. You may use a blend of oils formulated especially for the face, or choose a single oil that works best with your skin type. Almond, argan, and jojoba oil all work well as face massage oils that won't clog your pores.
- For very dry skin, choose argan or almond oil.
- For medium to oily skin, choose jojoba or a blend of jojoba and castor oil.
- If you're concerned about using oil on your skin, use your favorite moisturizer.
- If you want the oil to feel warm, keep the bottle of oil in warm water before you start your facial massage.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Marty Morales
  Certified Massage Therapist
  
  Expert Interview. 20 December 2019.}
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3
Begin by massaging your lymph area. Many believe that toxins drain from the face to the lymph nodes, located under your ears on the sides of your neck. Massaging this area helps to release the toxins and prevent them from building up in your face. Using the tips of your fingers, massage your lymph area in a circular motion for one minute.
- Use wide circles, sweeping from under your ears, down toward your throat, and up along your jawline.
- You want a firm touch, but don't massage too hard. A facial massage is different from a deep tissue massage, since the skin on your face is more sensitive.
Using the same wide circular strokes, massage along the sides of your jaw, past the corners of your mouth, next to your nostrils, and over your cheekbones. Push your skin up, then out; never down, since this can cause sagging to occur. Continue for one minute.
Use a broad circular motion to massage both sides of your forehead at the same time. Start near your temples and move gradually in toward the middle of your forehead, then back out to the sides. Continue for one minute.
6
Massage your eye area. Position your fingers at the arch of your brows. Sweep them around the outside corners of your eyes, gently move them under your eyes, and end with your fingers at the inside corners of your eyes. Continue along up the sides of your nose and along your brow lines. Repeat the motion for one minute.^{[3]
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- Massaging your eye area helps combat puffy eyes, leaving the area brighter and more youthful-looking.
- Use extra oil if necessary to prevent your fingers from dragging the delicate skin around your eyes.
Gently massage each part of your face again to end your massage. Your skin should look bright, fresh, and rejuvenated when your massage is complete.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Lifting and Firming Massage

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1
Apply a light layer of face oil. Face oil helps your fingers slide easily across your face, preventing them from dragging and stretching your skin. It also conditions the skin and lightens the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Apply a light layer of one of the following oils:^{[4]
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- For dry skin: coconut or argan oil.
- For medium skin: almond or jojoba oil.
- For oily skin: jojoba oil or your favorite moisturizer.
A firming, lifting massage focuses on areas where the skin tends to droop. Using the tips of your fingers, make tight circular motions over the lines on either side of your mouth. Always apply upward pressure to help lift the skin instead of dragging it down. Continue for one minute.
Make corkscrew-like, circular motions over the apples of your cheeks to help firm and lift this area. Apply gentle pressure as your fingers move up to your inner cheekbones, then out to the edges of your face and back around. Continue for one minute.
4
Massage your eye area. Position your fingers at the arch of your brows, then sweep them around the outside corners of your eyes. Gently move them under your eyes, and end with your fingers at the inside corners of your eyes. Continue along up the sides of your nose and along your brow lines. Repeat the motion for one minute.
- Massaging your eye area helps lift sagging skin and combat crow's feet.
- Use extra oil if necessary to prevent your fingers from dragging the delicate skin around your eyes.
If your forehead has horizontal lines you wish to lighten, you want to massage against the lines, rather than with them. Position your hands next to each other vertically, with your fingers touching your forehead. Make a zig-zag motion by moving one hand up while the other moves down, so that you're gently pulling your forehead skin up and down. Continue this motion across your entire forehead for one minute.^{[5]
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The vertical lines at the top of your nose can be lightened if you massage them horizontally. Position your fingers horizontally across your frown lines. Gently rub back and forth to pull the skin out of its usual lined position.
Gently massage each part of your face again to end your massage. Your skin should feel firm and youthful when your massage is finished. Repeat daily for the best results.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Stress-Busting Massage

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1
Apply a light layer of face oil. Face oil helps your fingers slide easily across your face, preventing them from dragging and stretching your skin. Scented oil can also improve your mood and enhance the stress-busting properties of your massage. Apply a light layer according to the following guide:
- For dry skin: use coconut or argan oil. Consider adding 2 to 3 drops of lavender essential oil.
- For medium skin: almond or jojoba oil. Consider adding 2 to 3 drops of lavender essential oil.
- For oily skin: jojoba oil or your favorite moisturizer. Consider adding 2 to 3 drops of lavender essential oil.
2
Massage under your ears and along your jaw. Tension often builds up in the jaw and neck area, and massaging here will help loosen your muscles. Using the tips of your fingers, massage the area in a circular motion for one minute.
- Use wide circles, sweeping from under your ears, down toward your throat, and up along your jawline.
- Press more firmly in areas where the muscles feel tight.
Using the same wide circular strokes, massage along the sides of your jaw, past the corners of your mouth, next to your nostrils, and over your cheekbones. Close your eyes and focus on the relaxing motion of your hands on your face.
Tension in this area can often lead to headaches, so spend some extra time here. Use a corkscrew motion to massage both temples at the same time. Move gradually in toward the middle of your forehead, then back out to the sides. Continue for one minute.^{[6]
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5
Massage your eye area. Position your fingers at the arch of your brows. Sweep them around the outside corners of your eyes, gently move them under your eyes, and end with your fingers at the inside corners of your eyes. Continue along up the sides of your nose and along your brow lines. Repeat the motion for one minute.
- Massaging here will make you feel better after a long day of straining your eyes.
- Use extra oil if necessary to prevent your fingers from dragging the delicate skin around your eyes.
If you have sinus tension, massaging your nose will help relieve it. Gently pinch the area at the top of your nose. Slide your fingers down to your nostrils. Repeat this motion for one minute.
Gently massage each part of your face again to end your massage. By the end, you should feel relaxed and calm.

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How do I prepare for a professional facial massage?

Marty Morales
Professional Massage Therapist
Marty Morales is a Professional Massage Therapist and the Founder and Owner of the Morales Method, a manual therapy and body conditioning business based in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Los Angeles, California. Marty has over 16 years of massage therapist experience and over 13 years of experience educating others on the best practices for massage therapy. Marty has over 10,000 hours of private practice logged and is a Certified Advanced Rolfer and Rolf Movement Practitioner, CMT. He has an MBA in Finance from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.

Marty Morales

Professional Massage Therapist

Expert Answer

There isn't a lot of preparation, but make sure you arrive with a clean face and no makeup on. You should also let the massage therapist know if there are any cuts or broken skin on your face so they can plan accordingly.

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How can I get rid of dark circles under my eyes?

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Dark circles can be genetically passed on, in which case there isn't a lot you can other than conceal them. You can try using frozen cucumber slices and holding them on the eyes for a minute. This will help reduce puffiness too. Or, test out various serums, etc.

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Can I use olive oil for a facial massage?

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Yes.. Olive oil penetrates deeply into the skin while providing a cleaning effect. Try using organic olive oil at night instead of your daily moisturizer. Apply a teaspoon of the oil to the face and neck and massage away.

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Tips

If you want to go further, lie down for about 15 minutes with cucumber slices or cold tea bags over your eyes. The tannin helps to tone up the area around your eyes and make them look clearer.

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When massaging your face, do not lie down. You want the toxins to wash down and not stay on your face.

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