When I Discovered the Importance of Boosting Circulation...

I realized this recently, after I started receiving treatments at a facial salon I visit once or twice a month. I witnessed firsthand the changes in my skin—its clarity, brightness, and plumpness—after each session. And I thought, "To maintain this condition, I must massage my face myself every day!"

Looking back, when I was 40, I decided to do something about my stiff body and started going for sports massages once a week. Two years later, I realized, "Once a week only brings me back from negative to zero, but it doesn't move me into the positive." Since then, I've been stretching at home every day. And I experienced a significant improvement in my body after that.

In the case of my face, I had been relying on the effects of cosmetics, so I tended to forget about facial massage. Well, it's not that I wasn't doing it at all; I was lightly massaging my face as I applied serums, lotions, and creams. But considering the effects of professional facial massages, I should have separated those actions. I came to the conclusion that, just like with my body, I should incorporate massage as part of my daily skincare routine, not just as a special treatment.

I also realize this from my experience with growing vegetables in my home garden: if you just spread compost on uncultivated soil, the results are only mediocre. Similarly, if the blood and lymph flow in the skin is poor, even the best cosmetics will only deliver so-so results.October SeriesAs I wrote in my October column, I've already experienced the skin changes from improved circulation with the high-concentration carbonated mist, "Sparkleoid Mist" (MICHIKO.LIFE).

Making Massage a Habit

First, I thought about how to make massage a habit. To minimize the hassle, I decided to incorporate it into another existing habit: doing it every night while taking a bath.

I can see that if I set a goal like "a few times a week," I'll gradually stop doing it. It's easier to stick with it if I decide to make it a daily habit. Plus, since I take a bath every night, doing it then makes it even easier to incorporate.

After massaging with cream or oil, I usually wipe it off. I prefer using a hot towel over tissues, but making one with a microwave or steamer feels like too much effort. So, I decided to make hot towels using the bathwater in a washbasin. This way, there's no "extra" step, and I can easily make hot towels multiple times while bathing.

Using Both Cream and Oil

For my massage routine, I chose Cosme Decorte AQ's "Massage Cream" and "Botanical Pure Oil." I decided to use the massage cream three times a week and the oil on the other days.

There's no special reason for using two products. The AQ Massage Cream instructions say, "Use 2-3 times a week," so I followed that. For the other days, I chose a pure oil from the same line that can also be used for massage.

This massage cream has a rich, smooth texture that makes me exclaim, "As expected from Cosme Decorte AQ!" Its pleasant sandalwood scent transports me to a state of bliss while I massage in the bath. Relaxation is key to enhancing massage effects, and in that sense, this cream is perfect! It spreads beautifully, puts no strain on the skin, and allows for precise, comfortable massage. I think this is a cream that anyone who finds massage troublesome should try.

By the way, I massage not only my face but also my neck and décolleté. The entire process takes just under two minutes. After massaging, I place a hot towel made with bathwater on my face for a short while to relax. I repeat this three times before wiping off.

And four times a week, I use the pure oil for massage while in the bath. While not specifically a massage product, it contains organic olive oil and plant oils rich in essential fatty acids, making it beneficial for preventing dryness. The process is the same as with the cream, but I only use the hot towel once after using the oil.

I massage like this every night, and each time I'm impressed by how my dullness disappears, my skin becomes a shade brighter, and feels so plump and smooth that it's a pleasure to touch.

Seeing these results makes me genuinely feel that "putting in effort is enjoyable." I truly believe that "facial massage is fundamental to skincare." And I'm so glad I realized the importance of making it a habit.

Just Three Things to Note for Facial Massage

There are broadly three things to keep in mind for facial massage: choosing the right massage product, never scrubbing too hard, and massaging in the correct direction. Massaging from the inside outwards will generally lead to good results.

In other words, facial massage isn't particularly troublesome or difficult. My conclusion is that "doing it is definitely better than not doing it," and "doing it regularly, rather than as a special treatment, is definitely better." If you're interested, why not make it one of your New Year's resolutions?

*Thank you for your support this year. May the coming year be a wonderful one for you!

• Series | Michiko Fujiwara TOP