Guest Blog By Doni Bay - Facial Massage : a Ritual for Skin, Mind + Overall Wellbeing

When your skin feels dull, your jaw feels tight and your mind won’t slow down, facial
massage offers a moment to soften, release and reconnect with yourself. Facial massage invites us to approach skincare a little differently, less about doing more and more about doing things with presence. It has become an increasingly valued part of modern skincare routines, supporting not only the health and appearance of the skin, but overall wellbeing too. Whether practised as a mindful self-care ritual at home or experienced with a professional treatment with me, facial massage offers benefits that go far beyond the surface. Let me take you on a journey into self facial massage, its benefits, and how it can support your wellbeing, just as it has supported mine.

How facial massage affects the skin and appearance

From a physical perspective, facial massage helps to stimulate blood and lymphatic
circulation. This increased flow brings fresh oxygen and nutrients to the skin, while
supporting the removal of waste and excess fluid. The result is often a brighter, healthier
looking complexion, reduced puffiness and a more sculpted appearance over time.
Regular massage can also help to release tension held in the facial muscles, particularly
around the jaw, forehead and brows. This can soften expression lines and promote a more relaxed, open look. When practised consistently, facial massage supports skin tone and vitality in a way that feels natural rather than forced.

Facial massage as a mindful practice

One of the most overlooked aspects of facial massage is its impact on the nervous system. The face holds a high concentration of nerve endings, meaning gentle, intentional touch can have a deeply calming effect on the body. When facial massage is approached mindfully, with slow movements, steady breathing and presence, it becomes a form of meditation. This mindful touch can help reduce stress, quiet mental chatter and bring awareness back into the body. In a world that often feels fast paced and overstimulating, even a few minutes of facial massage can offer a sense of grounding and reset.

This mind-skin connection is a key reason why facial massage feels so beautifully nourishing on a deeper level. The scent of each oil alone can transform my mood in an instant, helping you feel more grounded and calm the moment It's applied it to skin. Self facial massage is one of my non-negotiables and something I practise at least once or twice a week.

A holistic approach to facial care

Facial massage reminds us that skincare doesn’t have to be complicated or aggressive to be effective. When paired with a thoughtfully chosen face oil and practised with intention, it becomes a holistic ritual that supports the skin, the mind and overall wellbeing.

Whether at home or in the hands of a professional, facial massage invites us to slow down, tune in and care for ourselves in a way that feels both nurturing and meaningful. I truly believe that less is more when it comes to beauty from the outside in.

I choose facial oils based on the current state of my skin, not just my skin type. Hormones, stress, the seasons, travel and my cycle all influence what my skin needs. These oils are the ones I return to again and again because they are bio-compatible with the skin, rich in essential fatty acids, and truly supportive rather than simply cosmetic.

The importance of choosing the right face oil

When choosing a face oil for massage, it’s important to look beyond fragrance or texture
alone. The oil should be well balanced, nourishing and supportive of the skin barrier, ideally made with thoughtfully sourced botanical ingredients. A good facial oil supports the skin’s natural functions, helping to maintain hydration, elasticity and resilience, while allowing massage movements to feel fluid and intuitive.

I personally like using face oils such as sweet almond, apricot kernel, castor, jojoba, prickly pear, hemp seed or rosehip seed oil, depending on what my skin needs at the time. 

Sweet Almond Oil is the oil I turn to when my skin feels dry, delicate or in need of comfort. It is gentle, nourishing and well tolerated by most skin types, making it ideal when the skin barrier feels compromised or sensitive. Rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin E, sweet almond oil helps soften the skin, improve elasticity and reduce feelings of tightness. I tend to use it during colder months, after travel, or whenever my skin feels fragile and needs soothing support.

Apricot Kernel Oil is perfect when my skin feels dehydrated, dull or tired. It has a light, silky texture that absorbs easily while restoring softness and radiance. Known for its linoleic acid and vitamin E content, it helps maintain moisture levels and support skin regeneration. I like to use apricot kernel oil when my complexion looks fatigued or during hormonal shifts that affect my natural glow.

Castor Oil is a powerful oil that I use with intention, usually blended with lighter oils such as sweet almond or jojoba rather than on its own. It is known for its purifying and
anti-inflammatory properties and is particularly helpful when the skin feels congested or
sluggish. Castor oil supports circulation and lymphatic movement, making it ideal for facial massage or oil cleansing. I reach for it when my skin feels blocked, inflamed or during hormonal breakouts, especially around the jawline.

Jojoba Oil is one of the most balancing oils I use, especially when my skin feels oily yet
dehydrated. Jojoba isn’t technically an oil, but a liquid wax that closely mimics the skin’s
natural sebum. It helps regulate oil production rather than increase it. Lightweight and
non-comedogenic, I use it when my skin feels out of sync and needs hydration without
Heaviness.

Prickly Pear Seed Oil is a precious oil I use when my skin needs deeper support and
protection. It is rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, helping to defend the skin against
environmental stress and premature ageing. Despite its potency, it feels light on the skin and absorbs well. I choose it when my skin feels stressed, sun exposed or when fine lines
appear more noticeable.

Hemp Seed Oil is my go-to oil for calming and balancing reactive skin. Rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, it helps reduce inflammation and support the skin barrier without clogging pores. I often use it around my menstrual cycle, during stressful periods, or whenever my skin feels inflamed and needs calming rather than heavy nourishment.

Rosehip Seed Oil is best known for its regenerative and skin-renewing properties. Naturally rich in vitamin A and essential fatty acids, it helps improve skin tone, texture and the appearance of scarring or pigmentation. I use it mainly in the evening when my skin is in repair mode, especially when it feels uneven or sun exposed.

I really love using the Wild Sage + Co Natural Face Cleanser. The scent is truly sensational, it contains many of the beautiful oils I’ve mentioned above, and it’s also a face oil and cleanser in one, which I absolutely love.

Here’s My Gentle Step-by-Step Facial Massage Routine You Can Do
at Home

This short self-massage can be practised daily or a few times a week, ideally in the evening when you have a moment to slow down. It takes around 5 to 10 minutes and can be adapted to suit your own rhythm. I personally practise this routine once or twice a week.

1. Prepare the skin
Begin with a cleanse, perhaps using an oil cleanser and a warm, damp face cloth to remove any makeup or residue from the day. Spritz a hydrating face mist onto the skin or leave it slightly damp after cleansing before applying oil, as this helps the skin absorb it more deeply. Warm a few drops of oil between your palms, take a moment to inhale the aroma, then gently press it onto the face, neck and chest.
2. Grounding touch
Place both palms over the centre of the face, covering the cheeks and nose. Take three
slow, deep breaths. This helps relax the nervous system and brings awareness into the skin.
3. Neck and lymphatic drainage
Using light pressure, glide your hands from under the ears down the sides of the neck
towards the collarbones, then sweep gently up the centre of the neck along the jawline and back to the ears. Repeat 5 to 10 times.
4. Jaw and cheeks
With your fingertips or knuckles, work from the centre of the chin along the jawline towards the ears using slow, steady strokes. Continue by sweeping upwards over the cheeks, moving from the nose outwards. Repeat 5 to 10 times in each area.
5. Eye area
Using your ring fingers, lightly trace around the eye socket. Start at the inner corner under the eye, move outwards towards the temples, then back over the brow bone towards the centre. Keep the touch soft and slow. Repeat 5 to 10 times.
6. Forehead release
Place your fingertips at the centre of the forehead and glide outwards towards the temples. You can also use gentle circular movements to release tension across the brow and hairline. Repeat 5 to 10 times.
7. Closing the ritual
Finish by gliding your hands from under the ears down the sides of the neck towards the
collarbones 3 times, then gently press your hands over the face one last time. Take a few
deep breaths and notice any sensations, shifts, or changes in how your skin feels.
This self-massage is not about perfection or technique, but about consistency and presence.

Over time, facial massage can support healthier looking skin, release facial tension and become a calming ritual that fits naturally into your routine.

Written by Doni Bay, Holistic Facialist & Wellbeing Shop Owner based in Somerset
Instagram: @doni.bay.wellness
Website: doni-wellness-cosmetic.com