4 Feb 2025

Evening facial massage - my overnight rejuvenation routine

Your skin goes through intensive regeneration process - repairs micro-damage, removes toxins and prepares for the day ahead. You can help it do this by introducing a simple facial massage ritual a few hours before bedtime.

I know that you are often tired in the evening and all you dream about is getting into bed quickly. But making a habit of evening massage is an investment in the health of your skin and a greater sense of well-being. A gentle facial massage will help you to relax the tensions built up in your muscles throughout the day, improve blood and lymph flow and put you in a state of tranquillity.

What's more, such a ritual can have a positive impact on the quality of your sleep. When your body and mind are relaxed, you fall asleep more easily and wake up in the morning rested, with radiant and nourished skin. Regular massage makes your face look firmer and wrinkles become less visible.

It doesn't take much time - just a few minutes in the eveningto not only take care of your skin, but also to give yourself a moment of peace after a long day.

In this entry you will learn about my skincare routine, facial yoga exercises and an evening facial massage that will take care of tissue conditioning. Not only will you wake up in the morning with rested and radiant skin, but you will also negate the risk of puffiness, which is the result of lymph build-up.

I invite you to read on.

Also take a look at the second post in this series, where I detailed the my morning facial rejuvenation ritual. You will find tips on how to stimulate your skin, reduce any swelling and start the day with good energy!

Why do you need an evening facial massage?

An evening facial massage is not only a moment of relaxation, but also a key part of skincare, with a range of benefits for your skin and wellbeing.

Helps relax facial muscleswhich have been tense all day due to stress, emotions or working in front of a screen. This makes your face look more rested and you feel relaxed.
Stimulates blood flow, which increases oxygenation and nourishment of the skin. The result? A healthier tone and more radiant complexion.
Prepares the skin for intensive night-time repair processes, promoting the removal of toxins and cell regeneration. This allows you to enjoy a more rested appearance in the morning.
Evening massage stimulates the lymphatic system, preventing lymphatic stagnation that can cause morning swelling.
This a simple way to close the day in relaxed style and keep your skin looking beautiful for another day.

Caution: rule number 1: don't give your face a massage just before bedtime

This is very important! Facial massage stimulates lymph flow, and if you do it just before bedtime, this can result in morning swelling. It is therefore best to end the massage at least one hour before going to bed. Those prone to swelling should keep an even greater interval - up to two hours. This way, your skin will have time to benefit from the effects of the massage and you will wake up with a rested, radiant complexion.

Preparation for an evening facial massage

Before you start your evening facial massage, it is worth taking care to prepare properly. This will ensure that the ritual is effective and that your skin receives maximum benefit.

A key step is thorough facial cleansing. Perform a thorough make-up removal to remove make-up and impurities from the day. Then wash your skin with a gentle gel or foam. This will allow the cosmetics used for the massage to penetrate the skin better and the massage will be more effective.

Remember, too, that an evening facial massage is a moment of relaxation. So make sure you the right environment and atmosphere. Light a candle with your favourite scent, put on some peaceful music or immerse yourself in silence. Such details will help you to calm down and fully focus on your care.

Evening rejuvenation ritual - my routine

I will point out at the outset that not every evening has to look the sameand the whole routine I am about to describe is not to perform every part of it every day. On the contrary, it would be too time-consuming, and over-stimulation could strain the facial tissues instead of bringing the expected benefits. I offer you various techniques and solutions, which you can adapt to your needs and mood on any given day.

Daily routine as time for oneself

I often perform an evening facial massage while watching your favourite film or TV series - is my moment when I can combine something pleasant with something useful. Sometimes it's also the perfect introduction to reading a book to calm me down before bed.

I have come to believe that even a few minutes dedicated to a simple practice can produce delightful results, improving both the appearance of the skin and the way we feel.

Evening exercises worth doing regularly

Exercise number 1: opening the chest with the rehabilitation tape

Grasp the two ends of the band at face height and slowly stretch them until you feel your elbows are straight.
Raise your arms up and hold them in this position for a few seconds.
Take an inhalation and on the exhalation gently extend your arms to form a V over your head.
Then bend your arms backwards, going down to neck height. Perform the movement slowly, smoothly, without jerks.

This type of exercise helps to open up the chest, subtly lifts the breasts and relaxes tight neck muscles.

You can order rehabilitation tape/resistance rubber online or buy it for a few zlotys at any sports market.

Exercise 2: resting the occiput on the strap

Spread the tape at the back of your head and stretch upwards, arranging your hands into a V.
The head should rest on the strap.
Then move your chin to your neck so that your neck muscles gently stretch.
If you have cervical problems, skip this exercise and possibly consult your doctor or physiotherapist about doing it.

Exercise 3: shoulder relaxation

The shoulders can be really tense after a long day. They are where we very often feel tension, due to stress and the daily rush.
You can use a tissue to practice relaxation in this area.
Half a tissue over the muscle, just at the end of the neck. Then gently grab the muscle and hold. Repeat the movement several times.
Then perform a few so-called butterfly moves, which are forward and backward movements with the arms.

Evening body massage with a scalp massager

One of my favorite accessories for evening massage and relaxation is the electric scalp massager. Equipped with 84 soft silicone spikes, has a multifaceted effect - not only does it improve circulation and strengthen hair follicles, but it also promotes muscle and tissue relaxation.

Thanks to its ergonomic shape, it is perfect for massaging different parts of the body, such as the neck, neckline or occiput. Here are some ideas on how you can use it in your evening routine.

Decolletage massage

Apply a little of your favourite oil or lotion to the décolleté to help the massager glide.
Gently move the massager from the centre of the cleavage towards the shoulders in circular motions.
Repeat the movements for about 2-3 minutes to improve blood circulation to the skin and relax the muscles.

Neck and occipital massage

Place the massager on the nape of the neck and use slow, circular movements upwards towards the occiput.
Focus on the areas where you feel the most tension.
Continue to massage for 3-5 minutes to relax stiff neck muscles and reduce feelings of fatigue.

Head massage

Place the massager on the top of your head and gently move it in different directions.
Use light pressure to stimulate hair follicles and improve blood circulation in the scalp.
Continue to massage for 5-7 minutes, especially in areas where you feel tension.

Relaxation of the tendon cap by pulling the hair

Massaging the tendon cap, which is the thin membrane covering the skull, is an excellent way to relieve tension accumulated in this area. One of the simplest and most effective techniques is gentle hair pulling, which stimulates the tendon cap and has many benefits.

Sit or lie down in a comfortable position. It is important that your neck and neck muscles are relaxed.
Gently separate strands of hair with your fingers for easy access to different areas of the head.
Grasp strands of hair at the root - close to the scalp - using two or three fingers.
Gently pull your hair upwards until you feel a subtle tension on your scalp. Don't pull too hard - movements should be firm but comfortable.
Gradually move to other areas of the head, making sure you cover the entire tendon cap - from the occiput to the top of the head and temples.

Evening facial massage with Citrus Glow oil

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 the bottom to the top, already starting a conscious massage aimed at naturally lifting the skin.

What's next? The massage I give in the evening, is actually very similar to this morning. I have described it in detail in this post: Marta Kucińska's step-by-step morning care routine. Sometimes, however, for the sake of variety, I also follow a few additional practices, which I am happy to share here.

Remember that you don't have to do the entire sequence described every day. You only need to choose a few exercises.

Massage with a quartz reflexology stick

Reflexology stick massage with quartz is a unique care technique that combines the effects of traditional acupressure with the beneficial properties of natural stone.

Known as the 'stone of love', rose quartz has a soothing effect on the skin, promoting regeneration and calming. Thanks to the precise shape of the stick, you can stimulate key acupuncture points on the face and body, which promotes relaxation and improved energy flow.

Make sure your skin is thoroughly cleansed and moisturised with oil so the stick glides easily over the surface.
Gently Apply pressure to key points on the face, such as the areas around the eyes, temples, nose area and chin.
Follow small circular movementsto increase the flow of energy in selected areas.
Use the larger end of the stick to massage the cheeks, jawline and forehead. Use circular, gentle movements.

A massage that raises the arches of the eyebrows

In the evening during a massage usually I spend more time on my eyebrow arches and forehead. Stimulating the muscles in these areas helps to strengthen them, resulting in a more open and rested appearance. Such a massage not only improves skin tone, but also promotes microcirculation and reduces signs of fatigue.

Place the fingertips of the index and middle fingers just below the arch of the eyebrow.
Gently press the skin and make a lifting movement of the eyebrows towards the forehead. Hold upwards for 2-3 seconds.
Repeat the movement moving your fingers along the entire brow line - from the inner corner of the eye to the temples. Perform 8-10 repetitions on each side.
Then place your whole hand on your temple and make gentle, upward movements. You can gently press the skin to further activate the muscles.
Place both palms on your forehead, covering it completely. Gently stretch the skin towards the temples while moving your palms upwards.

To massage these areas, you can additionally use such accessories as quartz mushroom. I use it frequently myself.

Multi-functional massage with blue light

Yoga Beauty Premium Multifunctional Massager is an innovative device that combines advanced LED technology with skin stimulation using 4-dimensional massage heads. Thanks to the blue LED light (with a wavelength of 465 nm +/- 10 nm), the massager has an anti-inflammatory effect, effectively fighting the bacteria responsible for acne, as well as relieving skin inflammation. It is ideal for people with problematic skin who want to combine skin care with a relaxing massage.

Set the LED light function to take advantage of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Move the massager over problematic skin areas (e.g. acne-prone zones).
Use movements from the centre of the face outwards, lifting the skin upwards.
Move the massager from the eyebrows towards the hairline, relaxing muscles and smoothing wrinkles.
Head from the chin towards the ears to improve lymphatic drainage and lift the oval of the face.
The massage can be performed for 5-10 minutes, concentrating on selected areas.

You can also see my entire evening practice here:

A few final words

What else? I cannot fail to mention the right attitude towards the massage. During my evening ritual, I take care to make myself as comfortable as possible. A comfortable position allows me to fully relax and focus on the present moment.

After each massage, I express gratitude - to myself, for the time I have spent nurturing myself, and to my body, which supports me every day.

I listen to my needs as they are my guide in creating evening rituals.

I try to ensure that the massage time was also a moment of reflection for me - on the day that is passing, on what makes me happy, on what I can do better. It's a moment that reminds me how important it is to balance taking care of others with taking care of myself.

I hope my evening ritual will inspire you to incorporate your own moments of relaxation and care for your body.

Let me know what your ritual is like and what you take for yourself from mine. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments or get back to me on social media.