All face-lifting and massage methods have one thing in common: they rely on specific, repetitive movements to stimulate blood flow, remove toxins and release tension. Improved muscle tone supports the skin better, lifting and softening your facial contours, smoothing lines and wrinkles and boosting the overall health of your skin. Not to mention calming the mind.

I have personally trained in many methods over the years and combine them to create unique facials in clinic and at home.

The benefits of face massage

• It’s a drug-free, non-invasive way of benefiting your skin
• Increases circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into the tissue – even working beyond the face
• Stimulates the flow of lymph, the body’s natural defence system, helping to reduce puffiness and speed up general detoxification of the skin
• Gives an instant glow and lift
• Speeds skin cell turnover

There are the physical benefits of the massage, then there is also the supporting role of the oil or product you choose to massage with. I love a face oil, and natural and plant-based ones tend to be my favourite. Something not too heavy in aromatherapy is ideal, and something with a great medium texture – not too light and not too thick. FLORENA® Fermented Skincare have two facial oils, both of which are among my current favourites to use for at-home face massage:

FLORENA® Fermented Skincare Illuminating Facial Oil is enriched with fermented Pink Helichrysum and fermented Safflower Oil. The silky formula is great for restoring radiance and vitality to dull, tired skin.

FLORENA® Fermented Skincare Regenerating Facial Oil contains fermented White Helichrysum and fermented Argan Safflower Oil. It’s a powerful formula which will help tired and dull skin to rehydrate and rejuvenate leaving it nourished, soft and supple.

 

HOW TO do an at home face lifting massage

TO start, cleanse your face and pat the skin dry. FLORENA® Fermented Skincare also have a really lovely Milky Cleanser, which contains fermented Jasmin and fermented Angelica Oil, or if you’re looking for something 100% natural, its Cleansing Bar is also great for leaving your skin soft and refreshed.

Using ½ a teaspoon of oil (if you are using one of the FLORENA® Fermented Skincare oils, use half a pipette of oil. Warm in the palms of your hands and apply to the face in a prayer movement, gliding across the face, neck and décolleté.

 

1. Using the right hand make big, downward circles on the left side of the neck. Repeat on the other side using the other hand.
2. Using both hands together, massage both sides of the neck at the same time.
3. Make scissor shapes with your middle and index fingers. Place the index finger behind the ear and the middle in front. Push your hands back and forth either side of the ears and along the jaw – this supports the lymph and drainage.
4. Hold your hands out in front of your face with your fingers splayed, place your thumbs under your chin, push and drain under your jaw from the chin to the ears.
5. Keep your thumbs under your chin and make a pinch with the sides of the index fingers. Pinch and push out along the jaw. Pressing firmly, make circular moves around the mouth.
6. Concentrating on one side of the face, use alternate hands to push up, lifting the cheek. Repeat on the other side.

7. Make a fist with both hands and press your knuckles into the cheeks, just under the cheekbone. Look down to increase pressure, hold for the count of five, then glide your knuckles out to the sides. Knuckle massage your whole cheek area.
8. Using all your fingers, push up just under the brow and glide outwards.
9. Using the finger pads of both hands, firmly stretch crow’s feet. Hold each stretch for five seconds.
10. Using your middle and index fingers, stretch and hold the frown lines.
11. Still on the frown lines, firmly make a criss-cross movement. Continue criss-crossing across the whole of the forehead. Change the direction of your fingers and zig-zag up and down over the forehead.
12. Calm everything down with some gentle smoothing outward ‘prayers’. Finish by gliding alternate hands in the direction of the lymph out from under the chin to the ear and drain down the neck. Repeat on the other side.  

After your face massage you might choose to leave the oil on, especially if you have normal to dry skin, or you might apply your moisturiser over the top. FLORENA® Fermented Skincare have moisturisers for both hydration and anti-ageing, each in a day and a night cream. My personal favourite is the FLORENA® Fermented Skincare 24H Hydrating Day Cream.

Alternatively, if you’re prone to slightly oilier skin or just prefer the feel of it, wash off any excess oil with a gentle cleanser, then apply your normal skincare routine.