Sarah Lemos facial massage anti-aging

Facial massage by Sarah Lemos

The ancient art of Kobido massage

At SOWÉ, we believe that time is precious, and rather than fighting it, we prefer to accompany it with gestures that are essential to your well-being.

To this end, we turn to Sarah Lemos, renowned facialist and expert in facial massage techniques, consultant in treatment protocols for renowned spas and founder of Face Studio in Lisbon.

Incorporating facial self-massage into your routine will allow you to enjoy a pleasant and beneficial moment, so relax and follow the guide.

The right steps to prepare your skin

Apply a few drops of oil to your hands and warm it between your palms.

Breathe deeply and relax before you begin.

Lifting your face in 5 steps (only 3 minutes)

1. Activating circulation

Apply light pressure from the bottom of your chin to your forehead to stimulate microcirculation and tone the skin.

2. Relaxing the neck and jaw

With broad and firm movements, smooth the neck area. Gently knead the jawline to release tension and redefine the face’s contour.

3. Sculpting the cheekbones

Using a Gua Sha or your fingers, make upward movements to lift and reshape the cheekbones. Relax this area by focusing on muscle tension.

4. Draining and smoothing the eye contour

Perform gentle movements under the eyes, from the inside to the outside, to decongest this area. Move up towards the eyebrows and apply firm pressure for a lifting effect.

5. Smoothing and relaxing the forehead

Work from the bottom up to smooth expression lines, especially the frown lines. Finish with a draining movement using your fingers in a "prayer" position, gliding from the forehead down to the neck.

Finish gently

Apply light pressure on strategic points such as the temples and the base of the neck for deep relaxation.

Breathe deeply and enjoy the benefits of the massage.

Repeat this ritual for a few minutes, ideally every day, to restore radiance and firmness to your skin while promoting optimal relaxation.

Discover Sarah’s tips in images:

Return to all the experts

FAQ

How to choose a good massage oil?

The choice of massage oil depends on your specific needs.

For example, if you want to moisturise and nourish the skin, improve its elasticity, fight cellulite, relieve pain, relax muscles, soothe nervousness, aid sleep, release tension, or assist in muscle recovery.

There are different types of massage oils based on texture, composition, scent, and desired effect.

To choose your massage oil, you should consider your personal preferences, skin type, the area to be massaged, and the purpose of the massage.

SOWÉ massage oil combines all these functions thanks to the synergy of carefully selected vegetable oils, essential oils, and our hemp extract.

How do I apply my oil to the skin?

Place 3 to 5 drops in the palm of your hand, then gently massage into the face, body and/or hair, avoiding contact with the eyes. The precious oil can be used every day, morning or evening, as you wish.

Morning routine

Apply every morning after cleansing the face and body, preferably before applying cream, to allow the skin to absorb the treatment.

Night routine

Apply every evening after cleansing the face and body, just before going to bed, so that the active ingredients penetrate throughout the night as the skin regenerates.

Further information: How do I apply oil correctly to the skin?

Can oil be used on oily skin?

Yes, you can use an oil on oily skin, as long as you choose the right oil. Contrary to popular belief, some oils are capable of regulating sebum production and restoring the complex balance of your epidermis.

Here are some plant oils recommended for oily skin:

  • Jojoba oil: Similar to the sebum produced by the body, this oil is highly prized by our skin and helps to rebalance sebum production.
  • Black cumin oil: Antibacterial, black cumin oil effectively eliminates skin imperfections.
  • Hemp oil: Deeply moisturises the skin without leaving a greasy finish.

It's important to note that even if oily skin doesn't need to be nourished, hydration is essential. Poor hydration could encourage the epidermis to produce even more sebum in order to hydrate itself, aggravating the vicious circle of oily skin. So it's essential to work directly on the skin with the right skincare products.

To learn more about oils and oily skin, check out our blog here.

What are the best plant oils for moisturising, nourishing, protecting, regenerating, soothing or purifying the skin?

Here are a few plant oils that are often recommended for their beneficial properties for the skin.

To moisturise and nourish the skin
  • Hemp oil: Soothing, softening and nourishing, this oil is ideal for delicate, dry skin.
  • Argan oil: Obtained from argan seeds, this oil is nourishing, protective and restructuring.
  • Macadamia oil: Known for its moisturising and anti-ageing properties.
To protect and regenerate the skin
  • Prickly pear oil: Known for its regenerating and anti-wrinkle properties.
  • Argan oil: Ultra-nourishing, this oil helps to maintain skin hydration and combat the effects of time.
To soothe the skin
  • Jojoba oil: Known for its protective properties, it also restores the skin's elasticity.
  • Calendula oil: Renowned for its soothing and healing properties.
To purify the skin

It is important to note that the effectiveness of these oils may vary according to skin type.

Which plant oils for which skin type?

Choose a plant oil according to your skin type for double effectiveness. There are a huge number of different oils, all of which have their own properties and are therefore adapted to specific skin types and problems.

Oily skin

The best oils for oily skin are jojoba oil, black cumin oil, hemp oil and L'Huile Précieuse.

Mixed skin

The ideal plant oils for combination skin should be gentle and non-greasy, regulating and balancing. The best plant oils for combination skin are jojoba oil, black cumin oil, hemp oil, argan oil, macadamia oil and L'Huile Précieuse.

Dry skin

Plant oils for dry skin should have nourishing, protective, softening, anti-inflammatory and emollient properties. The vegetable oils most commonly used are argan oil, jojoba oil, macadamia oil, prickly pear oil and L'Huile Précieuse.

What properties do plant oils have for the skin?

Skin oils are natural products that can have many benefits, depending on their composition and how they are used.

Vegetable oils are extracted from plants, fruit, seeds or nuts. They are rich in fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants. They can nourish, moisturise, protect, regulate, heal and soften the skin. They are suitable for all skin types, but you need to choose the one that best suits your needs and sensitivities. Jojoba oil is ideal for all skin types, including oily skin, because its light, penetrating texture protects the dermis. Argan oil is recommended for dry and mature skin, because it has nourishing, regenerating and anti-ageing properties, while hempseed oil is better suited to oily skin.

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