How to give yourself a face massage

You may have had facial massage as part of a salon facial. Feels great, right? The beauty of it, though, is that you can take advantage of the health benefits of a face massage at home (or anywhere), even just to relax when you’re stressed out. 

As skin ages, it loses elasticity and firmness. Massage won’t reverse the ageing process but it can boost blood flow, adding a healthy glow while nourishing skin and facial muscles. It can also speed removal of toxins, which play havoc with skin texture, and it tones and lifts muscles to give a youthful look. Here’s how:

Moves to soften facial lines and wrinkles 

Try this five-minute routine while applying your moisturiser. The first few times you do it, you’ll probably have to keep your eyes open to glance at these instructions. But you’ll quickly learn the routine and be able to do it with your eyes closed.
 

	1. Close your eyes. Place the pads of the ring finger of each hand on the inner edge of the eyebrows near the centre of your forehead. Make very small and gentle circular stroking movements, working all the way around your eyes. Glide lightly over the surface of the skin. Continue these circular strokes all over your face and under your chin.
	2. Bring the index finger of each hand to your cheekbones. Gently press and then rotate the pads of your fingers so the skin moves against the bone. Be careful not to drag the skin. Lift your fingers, move to the next spot and repeat, working along your cheekbones towards your ears. Repeat these stationary circles all over your cheeks, maintaining a very gentle pressure.
	3. Bring the pads of your thumbs to the outer edge of your nostrils, fingers resting on your forehead. Glide your thumbs across your cheekbones, finishing with an upward stroke to your ears. Repeat the movement three times with your thumbs, starting a little farther up your nose each time. Avoid the delicate skin under the eyes. Repeat the sequence.
	4. Place all the fingers of both hands above your chin, with thumbs held underneath your jaw. Gently press down and rotate your fingers, being careful not to move your thumbs. Continue the movements along your jawbone, right up to your ears. Repeat the pressing and rotating movements three times, maintaining a gentle pressure.
	5. With palms facing downwards, gently pat under your chin and around your jawline. Using alternate hands, tap regularly in a flicking action, covering the whole area.
	6. Cover your face with gentle fingertip tapping to give skin a glow. Keep the movement light and bouncy, moving rapidly over cheeks, nose and forehead. Include your ears if you wish.
	7. Finish by stroking gently upwards from your chest to your chin with the backs of your hands in long, flowing sweeps. Make sure that one hand moves after the other rhythmically.