We’re always told to keep our dirty fingers away from our faces - and yet we spend a lot of money and time cleaning the face, removing makeup, exfoliating, cleansing, toning...the list goes on.
On top of this, our facial skin is quite different to that on the rest of the body - it is more delicate, can be more dry or oily in some individuals, and is the place where a lot of toxins are eliminated in the form of blackheads and spots. Our natural oils interact with the bacteria on our faces to create the reflection you see in the mirror, and your skin is a pretty good indicator of your inner health.
Giving yourself a face massage each week is a wonderful act of self-care that can help to stimulate the flow of lymph, leading to more clear, radiant skin. Depending on what oils you use, you can help to improve the facial microbiome and clear spots and blackheads. You can also use oils to calm irritated skin such as in the case of eczema, and you can also improve skin tone and elasticity.
Face massage is an ancient practice and still forms a major part of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the form of acupressure. In Ayurvedic medicine, self care is a way for us to achieve our most highest states of wellbeing and facial massage is a key element of a holistic and therapeutic protocol.
Face massage helps to relieve tension in the jaw and face and improves the circulation around our more delicate features like the eyes and lips.
Use jojoba, coconut or almond oil for sensitive or normal skin combinations.
Use diluted neem and tea tree oil to create a more positive bacterial balance in the case of spots, acne and blackheads. Jojoba oil is also suitable for oily skin.
Dilute frankincense or lavender essential oils in coconut, jojoba or almond oil to soothe irritated skin.
Be gentle when massaging your face - don’t drag your skin around. Remember it is very delicate and yet is responsive. Apply gentle pressure at all times and enjoy the experience. Spend around ten minutes doing this, once or twice a week before bed. You can leave the oil on or wash the face gently with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
Gently wash your face with warm water. Pat dry with a towel. Apply the oil to your fingers and start to massage the whole face in large circular motions. Use smaller motions around the eyes and cheeks. Spend one minute doing this.
With the first and middle fingers of your hands, brush outwards from the centre of your brow across both sides of your forehead. Spend a few minutes on this.
Massage temples using a circular motion with the fingers. Continue circles along the jawbone to the chin.
Press softly around the upper bone of the eye sockets, starting from the bridge of the nose, out to the corner of the eye. Repeat, this time working carefully around the eye socket.
Using your fingertips, draw a line under the cheekbones and out to the temples. Repeat, taking the lines down further each time.
Apply more oil to your hands and brush upwards from the collar bone to the jawline. Spend another minute doing this.
Use your first finger and thumb on both hands to massage along the jawline, moving towards the ears.
Gently massage your ears between your thumbs and fingers, starting at the earlobes and moving around and up to the top of the ear.
Pull ears very gently, again starting at the lobe and moving gradually to the top of the ear.
Cup your hands and rest them gently on your eyes. Breathe in and out deeply several times. Release the hands and thank yourself for taking the time to do this.
You can also do this for someone else - just warn them when you place your hands over their eyes! This is a wonderful way to connect with your loved ones - friends, family and partners. We need touch to thrive as a species, so set good intentions and share the wellbeing love.
Comments