Guide to Facial Massage: Benefits & Step-By-Step Techniques - Geneo

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What first comes to mind when you think about getting a quick, healthy glow while treating scars and preventing wrinkles? Is it expensive serums? A complex, 10-step Korean skincare routine? 

Those are certainly great options, but there’s an even better one that’s simple and free to DIY: facial massages! We’ll guide you through what a facial massage is, its benefits, and how to do it at home, so you can have radiant skin in minutes.  

Esthetician administering a facial massage to a client, who is wearing a towel on her hair and looks relaxed

What is a Facial Massage?

Facial massage has gained popularity in the United States and Europe in recent years thanks to endorsements from gorgeous celebrities like Meghan Markle and Cate Blanchett. However, it’s been a staple of Asian beauty routines for hundreds of years.  

Facial massage is the practice of gently rubbing and kneading the face using specific motions to improve the overall health and appearance of the skin. It’s similar to a traditional body massage, but it’s done with light pressure due to the sensitive nature of the face. 

It’s a deeply relaxing procedure with benefits ranging from glowing skin and more defined contours to lymphatic drainage and headache management. You can perform a facial massage on yourself or have a professional do it for a more thorough and relaxing treatment. 

When Should You Do Facial Massage?

You’ll see the best results from facial massages if you do them at least twice a week, though you can do them daily if you prefer. The best time to do a facial massage is when you’re applying a product to your face, such as your a.m. moisturizer or a night serum. Using a product first ensures your fingers or massage tool will glide over your skin smoothly. 

Whether you choose to do your facial massage in the morning or evening, each option has its own benefits.

  • A morning facial massage can reduce any puffiness you may develop overnight. It will stimulate your circulation so you start your day with luminous skin. A morning facial massage is also a great way to set a calm, positive tone for the day.
  • An evening facial massage is excellent for relieving any tension you may be holding in your facial muscles, which will help prevent future fine lines and wrinkles. Introduce facial massage as part of your bedtime routine, and you may even find that you fall asleep more easily. 

Two images demonstrating a woman's face both before and after a Geneo facial

Facial Massage Benefits 

There are many reasons your skin will thank you for introducing facial massage into your skincare routine. Some benefits you will see right away, such as a youthful, glowing complexion and decreased puffiness. Others, such as scar management and tighter skin, will be revealed over time with a consistent facial massage routine. 

Benefits of a facial massage include:

  • Glowing, rejuvenated skin thanks to improved circulation
  • Lymphatic drainage that can reduce puffiness
  • Reduced appearance of raised scars as the tissues loosen up
  • Tighter skin and facial muscles 
  • A more sculpted appearance around the jawline and cheekbones
  • Reduced sinus symptoms such as congestion and headache
  • More relaxed facial muscles that can prevent future wrinkles

Disadvantages of Facial Massage 

While most people experience few side effects when properly performing facial massages, there are a couple of potential downsides that it’s important to note. People with very sensitive skin may experience some redness and irritation with certain facial massage tools, and active breakouts may be too tender for many facial massage methods.

Geneo facials are a great option for sensitive skin, as our hands-free massage method is gentle enough even for active breakouts.  

Woman with glowing skin, eyes closed

How to Do a Facial Massage Step-by-Step

Now that you know the many benefits of facial massage, it’s time to learn how to do it! This section will provide step-by-step directions on how to perform an effective facial massage to improve your skin’s health and appearance.

Before we dive into the facial massage steps, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Always wash your face and hands before beginning.
  • Start your facial massage by applying a product such as a moisturizer, facial oil, or serum. Your fingers must be able to glide over your skin without any pulling.
  • You can perform these steps using your hands or a facial massage tool such as a gua sha stone, jade roller, or vibrating massager.
  • Repeat each step about five times before moving to the next.

Follow the facial massage steps below to revitalize your skin and ease facial tension. 

  • Forehead: Place the knuckles of your index fingers on your forehead between your eyebrows. Stroke up toward your hairline and then out toward your temples. 
  • Eyes: Place your knuckles on either side of the bridge of your nose level with your eyes. In an upward, arcing motion, stroke your fingers under your brow bone. When you reach the outer corners of your eyes, continue the movement under your eyes. (Imagine you’re drawing an oval shape around your eyes).
  • Cheeks: With your knuckles on your cheekbones near your nose, stoke up and out. Move your hands down a little and repeat the motion on the underside of your cheekbones.
  • Mouth: Make peace signs with both hands. Place them on either side of your mouth, with your index fingers above your upper lip and your middle fingers below your bottom lip. Slide your fingers outward toward your ears.
  • Chin: Place your knuckles on the center of your chin at the jawline. Stroke them upward toward your ears.
  • Neck: With your knuckles on either side of your jaw, perform a sweeping motion that starts under your ears and goes down along your neck. Reverse the move and repeat.

Woman receiving a Geneo facial, wearing a green Geneo headband, and resting on a green Geneo towel or pillow cover

Treat Yourself to a Spa Facial Massage with Geneo

Whether you enjoy facial massage at home or as a spa experience, you’ll see the immediate benefits of a healthy glow and smoother looking skin, as well as a wide range of accumulative benefits such as more defined facial contours and fewer wrinkles

During a Geneo facial treatment, a relaxing hands-free massage sculpts the face, delivering instant reduction of redness and puffiness while infusing Geneo’s active ingredients even deeper into the skin.

Ready to treat yourself to a luxurious spa facial massage? Find a Geneo provider near you today!

And if you’re a spa owner or professional and want to offer Geneo facial treatments to your clients, click here to learn more about becoming a Geneo provider today.