Lymphatic Drainage Is the Missing Step in Your Skincare Routine!
We heard you loud and clear after the May Edition!
Many of you took the time to leave a comment asking for a step-by-step guide on how to perform a self-lymphatic drainage massage routine, and, of course, we're here to deliver the goods.
Because let's be real, who wants to freeze their face off with ice water to get a temporary de-puffing look when you can gently stimulate your lymphatic system for longer-lasting results?
Not us! That’s why we’re giving you a routine that works instead!
What is a Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
Lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle technique that encourages your body’s lymphatic system to flush out excess fluid, toxins, and waste. Hello, de-puffing this summer! It helps reduce extra swelling in the face and neck, can ease sinus or congestion pressure, support detoxification, and promote a fresh, radiant complexion when added to your daily skincare routine.
The beauty of this method lies in its self-massage nature. No fancy tools, no need to book expensive treatments. You can do this at home by yourself, right alongside your skincare routine for the best results!
Why We’re Sharing This
We wanted to share this because so many of you chimed in asking for a simple and effective way to de-puff without harsh cold treatments. Especially for those with sensitive skin who get irritated by ice or extreme temperatures.
This practice pairs perfectly with our Honey Girl Organics values. We believe in using natural, gentle techniques to get the skincare results we desire. Supporting the lymphatic system with light touch massage brings instant benefits and long-term results. We're all for that!
Tools Needed
HoneyGlo Regenerating Face Serum: This silky serum provides your skin with the perfect glide for this gentle, slow massage while delivering nourishing ingredients to support your skin’s natural renewal. This is an essential step you cannot skip.
Clean hands: Always start with freshly washed and dried hands to avoid breakouts or irritation.
A mirror: To help guide your movements and keep track of your flow!
Before You Start
We love doing this after a warm shower when your pores are open and your body is already washed and relaxed, but it can be done any time you want a gentle depuffing ritual.
Take a few deep breaths to center yourself. This massage is intended to be performed slowly and with mindfulness. Apply one to two pumps of the HoneyGlo Regenerating Face Serum to your hands, warm it up, and gently press it all over your face and neck to prepare the skin for a light massage.
Step-by-Step Lymphatic Massage Routine
Start at the collarbones
This is where you activate the lymphatic system. Always begin here. You’re aiming for the hollow area right above the collarbones on both sides of the neck.
Use a light touch. Think of soft, horizontal strokes, like gently brushing whipped cream with your fingertips, rather than digging or circling. The lymphatic system lives just under the skin. This is not a deep muscular massage where we need to press, dig, or apply much pressure at all.
Place your fingers at the hollow just above your collarbones on both sides and brush downward in small, gentle strokes. This opening step is essential and should never be skipped, even if you're doing a quick routine. Perform this for 10-15 strokes to gently stimulate the lymphatic system.
Neck
Once you've opened the lymph system, move to the back of the neck.
Place your hands at the base of your neck where a shirt collar would sit, then pull gently forward and down toward your collarbones. Always move downward, never back and forth. Repeat 5 to 10 times.
Armpits
Relax your shoulders. Take a breath while pulling them up towards your ears and then let them drop with a verbal sigh.
Use skin-to-skin contact to gently pump upward into the armpit. You can really get into this movement here, think of cupping the armpit and manually pumping upwards. You do not need to be as gentle here as the rest of the routine. This opens deeper drainage channels. Do both sides before moving on!
Behind the ears to collarbones
Use your hands like "Spock fingers", separating them into two in front and two behind the ear.
Sweep down from behind your ears to your collarbones in long, gentle motions.
Repeat this 10 times to help drain fluid from the neck to the lymph nodes.
Chin and jawline
Start at the chin and use your fingertips to move fluid from the center out toward your ears.
If you want a sculpted jawline, press a little more firmly and move fluid from the center of the jaw to the back just under the ear. It’s okay if some of these motions go upward, because we’ll bring it all down again soon!
Forehead and temples
Begin at the center of the brows and do small upward strokes, about 20 times.
Then gently sweep outward to the temples using all your fingers, guiding the fluid to the sides of your face.
Nose, cheeks, and sides of face
Move fluid from your nose and cheeks out toward your ears.
Then guide it down through the jawline, down the neck, and back to the collarbone area.
Remember, the goal is to move everything you've lifted out of the face downward toward the lymph nodes at the base point in which we started.
Return to collarbones
Finish the routine where you began. Gently pump above your collarbones, aim for the hollow area, just like the opening step. Do this for about 10 soft, rhythmic strokes to make sure everything is flushed through the system.
If you feel an urge to yawn during this practice it is a key sign you’ve done it correctly!
Aftercare
We recommend gently washing your face and continuing with your full skincare routine.
While it’s tempting to leave the serum on and carry on with your day, remember your hands have touched your face during this process. For the best results, cleanse gently and finish your usual Honey Girl Organics ritual!
This is your new secret weapon for de-puffing naturally and boosting your glow. Try adding it to your routine and let us know how you feel after doing it.
Cheers to de-puffing, the natural way!
Want to see the technique in action?
[Click here to watch the video tutorial!]
Love,
Ashley and Honey Girl Organics