Better than Botox? Step-by-Step Guide to Facial Massage with Organic Oils

In 1999 when I started selling my herbal skincare preparations to spas and professionals in mainstream beauty venues, a natural product could mean anything that had a flower on the label. There were no parameters for “natural” and what that really meant. I quickly discovered that many times there were no natural ingredients whatsoever in “natural” products, so using them in beauty was dicey. Misconceptions prevailed on every level.

I had clients tell me that they were “allergic to lavender,” when in reality they were reacting to synthetic fragrances that had absolutely zero lavender content. And of course there was the poster child of skin care misconceptions – oils. At that time oil was primarily mineral oil derived from petroleum. The protest? “Too greasy. Oil makes me break out!” Well yes, that kind of oil will. Natural organic oils? Never…

Today we are moving beyond the old thinking, past criteria of naturals being just toxic or non-toxic, and retiring old notions of dos and don’t’s in skin care. We are well into the good news of how utilizing nature with natural techniques will enhance health and beauty.

One scientifically supported rediscovery that is making for better beauty is facial oil. I read recently that one of London’s well-known estheticians, when asked about using oils in facial applications, replied that facial massage with organic oils is “better than Botox!”

It is a basic fact of chemistry: oil dissolves oil. Plus organic oils cleanse and nourish tissue without triggering oil overproduction. Applying organic oils to skin dissolves sebum, nourishes tissue, and restores balance to dry and oily skin alike, including skin prone to blackheads or mild to moderate acne. When applying oils with facial massage, sebum balance is restored, allowing nutrients, antioxidants and moisture compounds in oil to fully absorb and nourish tissue. Use a single organic carrier oil such as almond or sunflower, or use one of the branded natural beauty oils created to boost benefits as well as depth of experience.

Either way, the beauty of using oil on the face is undeniable, and when applied with facial massage, the result is luminous skin that is soft, supple, vibrant. So place a few drops of your favorite oil on fingertips or directly onto face. Be sure to apply to clean, damp skin so the oil can work its way into tissue. Add more oil as needed:

1. With fingertips start at base of throat, gently stroke upwards and outwards to jawline
2. Continue with circular motion from jawline to lips, nasal folds, cheeks, ears
3. Tap around eye orbits and with circular motion massage brows
4. Move to center of forehead with upward strokes to hairline, then massage temples
5. Repeat as many times as you please, but I like to do about 5 sets, at which time my skin is like velvet, all the oil is absorbed, and I am so relaxed, I am ready for bed.