Marta Kucińska's step-by-step morning facial rejuvenation ritual
For me, a morning facial rejuvenation ritual is more than just patting on my favourite cream every day - it's the moment I take care of myself, I recharge my energy for the day and prepare my skin for any challenges.
I try to do it every day if possible because it improves the way I look and feel. It firms the skin and tightens the muscles accordingly. It improves blood and lymph circulation, which nourishes the tissues. In addition, it induces a pleasant state of serenity, making it I start the morning with much better energy.
In this post I will show you how to repeat it step by step in the comfort of your own home. I hope you will find inspiration and ideas here to incorporate into your daily routine. I strongly encourage you to do so.
Why use a morning skincare routine?
At night, our skin works intensively, regenerating after a long day. This is when skin cells undergo repair processes - rebuilding damage caused by external factors such as UV radiation or pollution.
The second issue is lymphatic stasis. Unlike the circulatory system, lymph doesn't have its own „pump” (like the heart), so its flow depends on muscle and body movement. At night, when you are motionless, the flow of lymph naturally slows down, and this can cause stasis, which is easily recognised by the morning swelling.
This is why a morning routine for facial rejuvenation is such an important step in your daily skincare routine. For me, it's a key time to take care of my complexion, reduce puffiness and stimulate my skin.
Benefits of a morning rejuvenation ritual
- Stimulation of circulation and reduction of swelling
- Healthy, firm complexion
- Strengthening facial muscles
- Improving skin elasticity
- Detoxification of the body
- Relaxation and a good start to the day
Also take a look at the second post in this series, in which I detailed my evening facial rejuvenation ritual. You'll find tips on how to relax your tissues after a long day, get rid of tension, smooth facial wrinkles, oxygenate your skin and prepare it for nightly regeneration.
A morning ritual that stimulates circulation
Step 1: Tapping the chest and face with fingertips
Start with intense chest percussion with your fingertips. Remember the area of the lymph nodes, which are just below the clavicles. This is where the lymph flows from all over the face.
Then move to the neck and sides of the neck, tapping from top to bottom. Then go even higher - to the face, tapping the sides of the face, moving from top to bottom.
Continue to the orbital area, or rather the upper eyelid, holding the area around the eyebrow arch (we do not hit the eyelids directly). Move from top to bottom, going down the sides of the face.
Step 2: Tapping the sternum
Make your hand into a fist and knock on your sternum with it for several seconds, intensively stimulating the lymphatic system to work.
Step 3: Simple arm exercises: butterfly
Bend your two arms at the elbows and place your hands on your shoulders. Then perform a few upward and forward arm circles. This will warm up your chest and reduce tension in the shoulder area.
Step 4: Head twists
In the next step, work on twisting the neck to the right and left. I do this with sensitivity, precision, gently and deeply. I avoid tugging.
Then twist your head diagonally downwards, one way and then the other. I repeat a few times. Then I tilt my head upwards, stay for a few seconds and repeat the side-to-side tilt, pointing my chin upwards diagonally.
The facial massage I perform every morning (detailed instruction)
For facial massage I use Citrus Glow oilwhich has a light, nourishing formula and an energising scent of orange, neroli and bergamot. It has up to 4 natural oils in its composition: sweet almond oil, grape seed oil, sunflower oil and sea buckthorn oil. Plus squalane, vitamin E and vitamin C.
I apply a few drops to the skin. The oil absorbs very quickly, allowing for smooth movements during the massage.
I distribute the oil by moving my hands from bottom to top, already beginning a conscious massage aimed at naturally lifting the skin.
Morning massage step 1: I massage the node area and the sides of the neck
The first step is to massage the area of the lymph nodes, just below the clavicles and then move in circular movements to the sides of the neck. The movement is repeated 3 times.
Morning massage step 2: patting the chin
We then caress the chin with the top of our hand, which should be loose.
Morning massage step 3: massage with the hands
Arranging the hands vertically, move them from the nose to the temples, gently directing the skin upwards. Repeat the movement several times.
Then squeeze the tip of the nose gently, move your fingers upwards, and make circular motions just at the nasal lobes.
The next step is to place the hands at a slant and move them gently upwards under the zygomatic bones. In this way, we sculpt the cheeks. After a few movements, we change the position of the hands, clenching them gently into fists and move upwards in a semicircular motion towards the ear.
Eye area Massage by making circular movements along the orbital line.
Place your fingers horizontally on the border of the lower eye sockets and gently shake them to create vibrations that will move the lymph in this area. Repeat the movement on the upper eyelid. It is important not to press on the eyeball during the massage.
Then move to the forehead. Place your palms sideways, horizontally to the forehead and make a „rubbing” motion. Then move your fingertips from the centre outwards and further towards the temples and even lower down to the clavicles, to the lymph nodes.
Each movement, of course, is repeated several times.
Can you use in the morning Gua Sha stone?
Yes, In the morning, the Gua Sha stone can be used, and it is even highly recommended! I also do it myself.
Gua Sha massage helps to reduce morning puffiness, improve lymph flow and stimulate blood circulation, making the skin look fresher and more radiant.
Why implement Gua Sha massage into your morning skincare routine?
Reduction of swelling
Gua Sha massage effectively removes lymphatic stagnation that has accumulated during sleep, especially in the eye, cheek and jaw areas.
Improving skin tone
By stimulating circulation, the skin becomes oxygenated and its tone more even.
Relaxation and stimulation of facial muscles
The stone's movements help to relax the tension in the muscles, which promotes more natural skin tone and prevents facial wrinkles.
Better absorption of cosmetics
Gua Sha massage aids the absorption of serums, oils or moisturisers that you apply in your morning care.
A short Gua Sha massage - just in time for the morning
- Starting at the jawline, move the stone from the centre of the chin towards the ear. Repeat to the other side.
- Rub the taut chin.
- Then move the Gua Sha upwards over the cheeks a few times. Always end the movement at the temples, bringing the lymph downwards.
- Then massage the area around the eyes, moving the Gua Sha along the borders of the eye sockets.
- Lay the Gua Sha profiled inwards, just above the nose. The two sides of the stone align perfectly around the eye sockets. Move the stones upwards. This movement will allow you to quickly get rid of tension in the lion's wrinkle area.
- Massage the forehead and move the lymph down to the temples.
The last step of your morning skincare routine: scalp massage
A scalp massage is something that always completes my morning skincare routine. We often forget that the scalp needs care too, and a regular massage can have many benefits - both for hair health and overall wellbeing.
- Scalp massage improves blood flow to the hair follicles, which promotes nourishment and hair growth.
- Gently massaging your scalp relaxes the tension built up in your muscles, especially if you feel tense in the morning.
- Massage helps to drain toxins from the scalp tissues, which can affect the health and condition of the scalp.
- Improved blood supply to the scalp makes hair stronger, shinier and less prone to fall out.
Scalp massage technique
- Start at the top of the head and move your fingers towards the nape of the neck in a circular, gentle motion.
- Massage the sides of the head, around the temples and behind the ears.
- You can increase the pressure, but make sure the movement is pleasant and does not cause discomfort.
- It only takes 2-3 minutes to feel the stimulating and relaxing effect.
You can see the entire morning facial rejuvenation routine I described in this post in this video:
Summary: The morning facial rejuvenation ritual by Marta Kucińska
For me, the morning skincare ritual is a moment in which I combine care for my body with attention to inner peace and balance. Every step of this routine, from a gentle face-rub to a scalp massage, has its place and meaning. It's not only a way to have more beautiful, firmer skin, but also to boost energy and bring the body into a state of harmony for the day.
I hope this guide will inspire you to incorporate similar habits into your own daily life. Even a few minutes dedicated to yourself each morning can have amazing results - not only in your appearance, but also in how you feel.
Remember that true beauty is the result of regular self-care and self-love. I encourage you to try it and discover how much of a difference such a simple ritual can make. Your skin, body and mind will thank you for it. 😊