From The Straits Times    |

1. Think of it as exercise for your skin
We put on weight and suffer from all sorts of chronic illnesses when we are faced with fatigue, stress, unhealthy lifestyles, and a lack of nutrients and exercise. Similarly, massaging skin is like a light exercise for your complexion, which maintains the overall health of your skin. It eliminates toxin build-up and excess fluids within skin cells, alleviating water retention, and skin puffiness and dullness, explains Leona Low, Clarins’ training manager.

2. Boost Blood and Oxygen Circulation, and Nutrient Distribution 
When you massage a certain skin area, skin warms up. This generated heat enhances blood flow, and boosts oxygen and nutrient circulation in skin, enhancing skin’s absorption of cosmetic products, explains Yvonne Lim, trainer at Salon Professional Associates.

3. Makeup goes on better
Enhanced skin circulation means skincare is better absorbed. It also leads to smoother skin and easier makeup application, says Angela Boh, Shiseido’s regional training director.

4. Promotes Healthy Skin 
When microcirculation is boosted by massage, our lymphatic drainage and waste matter removal inside our skin are also improved. Skin functions are regulated, leaving you with more resilient skin.

5. Delay Skin Ageing
The correct massage techniques can help delay muscle decline, wrinkle formation and skin sagging, says Angela.

6. Treat your skin like tofu
“Use a light pressure on your skin – imagine your skin is as soft as tofu, as you do not want to drag it and promote wrinkle formations,” says Angela.

7. Massage on clear skin only
While skin massage promotes youthful- looking skin, avoid massaging on pimples. This will stimulate skin and aggravate and worsen your skin condition. Anna Rao, facial trainer from Spa Esprit suggests that you need only dab skincare products on pimple-laden areas.

8. Know when to stop
Yvonne explains: “We should massage the serum or moisturiser until the product is moderately absorbed, and then move on to the next step in our skincare regimen.” Massaging skin excessively might drag the skin and encourage skin to sag, adds Angela.

 

This article was originally published in September 2011.