Things You Knead: The Benefits of Facial Massage

Anyone who’s ever gotten a facial can attest to one thing—the best part, hands down, is the facial massage. But, did you know that the massage does way more than just feel good? To find out the true benefits of facial massage we turned to an expert, Vanda Serrador, facialist and body care expert at The Body Shop for a little Q&A. Let’s just say, facial massage definitely ranks up there on the list of things you knead.

What Is Facial Massage?

“Facial massage is a technique designed to accelerate blood circulation, stimulate, tone, and revitalize the facial muscles in a succession of dynamic movements,” Serrador explains, calling it a full face workout that can be done at any time of the day. “Facial massages are a must for me,” she says. “We tend to accumulate lots of tension during the day. This affects the way energy and nutrients flow and even the elimination of toxins. Facial massages don’t just boost the natural flow of the blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, but also release tension in congested areas. Performing this on a regular basis at least once per day will help you improve skin tone and muscle contouring, help you to release general stress, and find calm.”

How to Give Yourself a Facial Massage

Want to give facial massage a shot? You’re in luck because we got Serrador to spill her secrets! “You can [give yourself facial massage] at any time, as if you were exercising your body,” she says. “I tend to do it in the morning, as it is my favorite time of the day to revitalize and tone my skin.” Serrador also practices facial massage at night and incorporates a little mindful meditation to further unwind. 

Facial massage is a technique designed to accelerate blood circulation, stimulate, tone, and revitalize the facial muscles in a succession of dynamic movements...Performing this on a regular basis at least once per day will help you improve skin tone and muscle contouring, help you to release general stress, and find calm.

“Spend at least two minutes performing facial massage, once or twice daily,” Serrador suggests. “The deal is, the more you do it, the better. Also, if you notice certain muscles of your face that need more attention, then those will be the ones that you can concentrate more often.”

When it comes to starting the massage you’ll want to make sure you have the right medium. Serrador recommends massaging with facial oils—a favorite at Skincare.com. “Massaging with oils offers a great opportunity to use the oils as a massage medium—since the texture is great for massaging, as it allows for the best massage flow.” Plus, she says, the technique, just as it’s used during a spa facial, can help to maximize the potential of your product, especially when you pick the right product. “Choosing the right oil can land you with a powerful blend of antioxidants, nutrients, fatty acids, and oleic acids that offer nutritive, replenishing, and also anti-aging properties.” Not big on using oils in your skin care routine? Serrador says that using a serum is another alternative, but to opt for a hydrating formula.

Take your facial massage to the next level with a few accessories. Tools like The Body Shop’s Twin Ball Massager or the brand’s Facial Massager, can elevate your experience, Serrador shares. “A facial massage performed with any of these tools is more intense, opposed to the use of just the fingertips. The Twin Ball Massager and the Facial Massager will also help improve blood circulation, skin tone, and reduce puffiness around the face promoting a more natural face contour,” she says.

Ready to incorporate facial massage in your daily skin care routine? Here are a few skin care oils we love to get you started!