Facial massages have gained a lot of popularity in the last year or so, with the rise of Asian beauty trends in North America. And while they might have been overlooked before, today they are touted as essential to enhancing the skin’s appearance, slowing the aging process and encouraging detoxification and lymphatic drainage.
In fact, incorporating beauty tools into our daily routines is becoming so popular that the P&S Market Research predicts the at-home beauty device market will reach $16.7 billion by 2023.
And facial massage trends have picked up — especially the gua sha massage, which involves massaging the skin in a scraping motion with a gua sha tool. This, along with other tools for facial massages — jade rollers, ReFa rollers, Beauty Bar’s Golden Pulse massager, NuFace — are best used with a good oil that won’t leave your skin feeling too greasy, and also doesn’t sink in too quickly where it leaves you pulling at your skin with your massage tool.
Just like the tools have specific benefits, pairing them with specific oils will enhance your experience — and the results. But how do you pick an oil with a similar goal to the massage tool you are using? Experts give us the breakdown.
What Should You Look For?
A facial oil is not meant to replace your moisturizer — instead it sinks into the skin, meaning the ingredients are more effective. Ideally, you want something thick enough, so you don’t have to reapply mid massage, and avoid oils that sink into your skin too quickly. Oils made up of larger molecules will not penetrate — and therefore sit on top of your pores — as opposed to those with a smaller molecular structure.
“I always like to do massages on [clean], warm, damp skin to facilitate ease of movement,” says Shamara Bondaroff, esthetician and founder of SB Skin in New York City. “Warming the oil between your fingers prior to placing it on your skin will help activate the oil and allow it to penetrate the skin better, ” adds Alissia Zenhausern, N.M.D., a naturopathic doctor at NMD Wellness of Scottsdale. Blood vessels and pores dilate a little better, which helps absorption.
The Best Sunday Riley Oils To Pair With Facial Massage Tools
Gua Sha: Gua Sha is meant to be an act of self-care by slowing down your breath and allowing yourself to rhythmically contour the face with the stone to release muscle tension and activate the lymphatic system. “I think this would pair particularly well with Luna Sleeping Night Oil, as an end of day mindful ritual,” says Hadley King, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York. “Blue tansy and chamomile essential oils are calming and soothing and promote relaxation, perfect for this mindful bedtime practice.”
Jade Roller: The jade roller can be a more convenient and quick option for stimulating blood flow and draining puffiness. “If you are acne prone, pair this with U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Acne Treatment Face Oil as part of your daily skin regimen,” says King. “The salicylic acid penetrates into pores to gently exfoliate and remove sebum. Tea tree oil and black cumin seed oil have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties to support clear skin and licorice helps to reduce redness, and milk thistle and cucumber seed oil calm and moisturize the skin. Stimulating blood flow and lymphatic drainage could potentially help acne heal as well.”
MicroCurrent Device: Microcurrent devices — like the NuFace — infuse the skin with tiny electric currents and pulses the muscles to create lift and tone. “Pair this with C.E.O Glow Vitamin C and Turmeric face Oil for the ultimate power play,” says King. “Vitamin C fights off the damaging effects of free radicals with its antioxidant properties and turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory.”
Metal Roller Or Bar: Rollers like the ReFa Carat have metal balls that rotate in opposite directions and create a suction-like effect for a deep massage. “Pair this with Juno Antioxidant and Superfood Face Oil to restore and rehydrate the skin’s moisture barrier with antioxidants, vitamins, amino acids, omegas 3-6-9, and skin soothing botanicals, throughout the massage,” says King.
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