We are all searching for glowing healthy youthful looking skin. A gentle daily facial massage as well as doing some facial yoga improves the skin’s circulation, giving it a healthy glow. As the circulation increases, it encourages the lymph glands to eliminate toxins, reducing puffiness and improving the overall complexion.
Choose the right essential oils for your skin type. For a normal or sensitive skin try Lavender, Geranium and Jojoba beauty oil. If your skin is oily try the addition of a small amount of Cypress or Ylang Ylang oils. Mix a few drops of your selected oils with a carrier beauty oil like Grape-seed or Jojoba oil before applying to your face.
Remember before you start to massage your face and décolletage follow these simple instructions:
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Cleanse your face, neck and décolletage thoroughly, cleanse with Grape-seed or Jojoba oil, using a damp cotton wool pad, rinse with warm water and then gently pat dry with a soft muslin cloth.
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To make your massage a more Spa type experience, try steaming your face first, as this will soften the pores, allowing your desired aromatherapy oil mixture to be absorbed better by the skin.
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Apply a small amount of your aromatherapy facial blend to your palms to massage gently into your face.
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Begin from the centre of the brow and use upward, outward strokes, moving hands away from each other and swiping gently upwards and outwards towards the ears using the index and middle fingers.
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Then move down to below the eyes and cheeks, repeat gently, avoiding the eyes and the sensitive skin around the delicate eye area.
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Move down to the chin and massage outwards and upwards, concentrating on the area around the edges of the mouth and below the nose where there is a tendency to get lines.
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Massage your ears too and the lobes as this is very calming and relaxing.
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Don't forget to massage your neck, and décolletage (an often forgotten area). Simply start from the centre, move out and upwards and around to the back of the neck, which is often tense causing headaches as it holds a great deal of tension. The aromatherapy blend will help you to relax deeply. Then move the hands downwards and starting from the centre of the chest sweep palms outwards and upwards towards the shoulders.
- Finish the massage by holding your hands cupped, gently over your eyes and nose and breathing deeply.
The idea of facial massage may seem like another additional chore but with just a few minutes a day, you can help to prevent wrinkles and relax your muscles and mind. Ideally set aside a few extra minutes in the morning and before you go to bed in the evening, but if you manage to do this quick facial massage just a few times a week will help you to reap benefits. An added benefit of facial massage, other more than glowing skin is that it aids lymphatic drainage which helps to support the skin’s natural cleansing processes.
