The skincare technique you need to try

One of the biggest surprises I’ve discovered about skincare in the last five years is how important application techniques are. How you apply and use your skincare products can make a big difference in how well the products work. I saw one study from a French skincare brand that demonstrated a 20% increase in the efficacy of the products when they were massaged into skin in an upward motion. This stimulates microcirculation and helps the products absorb into the skin. When I interviewed Solange Dessimoulie the founder of Decleor, she couldn’t emphasize enough how important it is to take time to really work your products into skin. “Women today are in too much of a rush,” she told me. “Skincare is sensorial and we need to take the time to make it pleasurable. Gentle massage is incredibly important. It feels so good on the skin and does make a big difference. Skin glows when you take this time.”

Jacques Courtin-Clarins, founder of the Clarins brand, was equally passionate about application techniques. He used to take inspiration from spa treatments and combined them with his latest plant extracts to help his clients get the very most from their products. He was very focused on how to improve lymphatic drainage and increase blood flow to the skin. That’s how he came to create his signature “Auto Lifting Method.” If you only try one skincare technique, give this one a try. It’s worth it.

“It is so important to warm your serums and skincare products in the palm of your hand before applying,” says Rosemary Mills, a trainer for Clarins. “This helps activate the ingredients. And by rubbing your hands together, you distribute the formula evenly on both hands.” She says the key is to gently press the products onto your face starting with placing both palms over your eyes and forehead. “This avoids pulling and tugging on skin that most women and men do when applying their products. This can weaken the tissues over time with too much pulling.” Sit in a chair and place your elbows on your knees. Then use the weight of your head to gently push down on your hands over your face. See the video here for the simple steps. “The key is to use the full weight of your head. This really helps with lymphatic circulation. What’s interesting is the shape of our hands is ideal to cover our face.”

This technique only takes five minutes and it feels really good. But what I love about it, is that it makes your skincare products work better. You’ll get more results from the products you have.