When life feels full and your skin begins to show it, a few mindful minutes of touch can make all the difference. Facial massage and gua sha are two of the most effective ways to bring circulation, balance, and calm back to the skin — and to the nervous system beneath it.
This gentle stretch and massage ritual helps ease facial tension, reduce puffiness, and encourage lymphatic flow, leaving your skin brighter and more lifted, and your mind more grounded.
[Watch the full video here on Instagram]
Why Facial Massage Matters
Our skin is deeply connected to the systems that lie beneath it — circulation, lymphatic drainage, and even the vagus nerve. When we’re stressed, these systems slow, and the skin can appear dull, congested, or fatigued.
Facial massage stimulates healthy blood flow, delivers oxygen and nutrients to the skin, and supports the natural detoxification process. With regular practice, it can help soften fine lines, tone facial muscles, and promote long-term resilience.
The Ritual: 3 Minutes to Restore Balance
You don’t need much time or equipment—just clean hands, a hydrating toner or essence, a few drops of facial oil, and intention. [Watch the full video here on Instagram]
1. Prepare the skin.
Begin with freshly cleansed skin and generously saturate with a hydrating toner or essence. Next, apply enough facial oil to create slip. A few favorites include Marie Veronique Rejuvenating Night Oil for dry skin, Barrier Lipid Complex for sensitive skin, or Treatment Oil for oily or breakout-prone skin.
2. Anchor your breath.
Take a slow, deep inhale through the nose and exhale fully to settle your mind and prepare your body for relaxation.
3. Neck stretch.
Place one hand on the top of your head and the other on your opposite shoulder. Gently stretch your neck to the right while lifting upward through the crown to elongate (avoid collapsing the neck). Repeat on the other side. Lift the chin toward the ceiling, elongating the back and front of the neck, then tilt gently to the left and right. Repeat once more, pushing the lips outward as if blowing a kiss to release tension in the jaw.
4. Glide and lift.
Using your fingertips, begin sweeping motions outward from the center of the face:
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From chin to ear along the jawline, then glide downward along the neck. Next create a gentle rhythmic movement with your fingers to release tension on the side of the neck.
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From lips to temples across the cheeks.
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From the sides of the nose, upward beneath the cheekbone toward the temple.
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Around the eyes using gentle pressure.
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Across the forehead with light crisscross motions, followed by lifting strokes. Next, use two fingers to hold the skin taut while the others gently massage the underlying muscle to release tension.
5. Focus on areas of tightness.
Spend extra time along the jaw, temples, and between the brows—areas that often hold the most tension. Gentle, rhythmic movements encourage blood flow and release muscular stress.
6. Drain and finish.
Finish with light, downward strokes along the sides of the neck toward the collarbone to guide lymphatic flow and reduce puffiness.
This simple practice instantly softens facial tension, revives circulation, and restores your natural glow from within. Consistency is key with this practice––daily is ideal but even a few times a week can make a big difference.
The Science of Circulation and Calm
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, stagnation is understood as the root of imbalance and disease in the body. When energy or circulation becomes stagnant, it can appear as tension, inflammation, or dullness in the skin. Gua sha and facial massage help release this stagnation, restoring flow and harmony.
From a physiological perspective, skin health depends on a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, both delivered through the blood. Increased circulation from massage and gentle stimulation brings these vital elements to the surface, supporting collagen production, cellular renewal, and a healthy, luminous complexion.
Lymphatic drainage also helps remove excess fluid and waste, reducing puffiness and calming inflammation. Beyond the physical, intentional touch activates the parasympathetic nervous system — the body’s natural “rest and restore” mode — creating a sense of ease that radiates outward through the skin. Movement is medicine!
Your Moment of Stillness
The beauty of this ritual lies in its simplicity. Just a few minutes of mindful care can help you feel more centered and bring new vitality to your skin.
✨ Book your next ritual to experience the restorative benefits of facial massage in the studio, or explore my curated facial oils to enhance your at-home practice. Shop facial oils →
