Facial massages have been a part of beauty rituals in many cultures for thousands of years. Increasing blood circulation in your face can help deliver nutrients to cells and flush out toxins from the inside out. It can also help your skin maintain more moisture so it looks younger and fuller. The result? Better skin health and a radiant glow.

But when you look through the lens of East Asian medicine, facial massages become much more: These techniques help balance energy (qi or ki) flow in the body, which can lead to many more positive benefits for the entire body and mind. Plus, when you use one of our Hwangchil Premium Skincare Products — made with plant compounds used in traditional remedies for thousands of years — you “10X” your facial care routine for radiant all-around health.

In this article, you’ll learn about the energy meridian points on your face; the health-boosting benefits of Hwangchil products; and an 8-step facial massage routine you can do anytime.

Meridian Points On Your Face

Meridian points — also known as acupuncture or acupressure points — are key points throughout the body that act as energy storage and distribution centers. Energy flows through your body through 20 major meridians, which you could imagine as train tracks for the cargo of your energy. If meridians are the tracks, then the meridian points are the stations along the tracks, where the train pauses to distribute life force energy to the organs and other body parts associated with that point.

There are 365 meridian points known to exist, and yes, a few of them are sitting right there on your beautiful face.

So not only can you get a glowing complexion with a face massage; you can also release blocked energy in your body and allow it to flow freely. This can help with pain relief, sleep, blood pressure, and more.

Benefits of Hwangchil Skincare Products

Dendropanax morbifera (known as Hwangchil in Korea, where it’s primarily found) is an adaptogenic herb that’s been used in East Asia for its beneficial properties for thousands of years. Every part of the plant—leaves, stems, roots, sap—has been used in teas, tonics, incense, and lacquer for a variety of health and longevity benefits.

Our premium Hwangchil skincare products use only the highest quality Dendropanax compounds sourced from Hwangchil trees in South Korea, plus other mild, natural ingredients to bring you this added boost to your wellness routine.

Here's your step-by-step for a nourishing and revitalizing face massage using any of our premium Hwangchil skincare products.

Pampering Face Massage

1. Apply the lotion, oil or cream:

Put several drops of the product in your palm and dab onto your face evenly to cover the major areas. If you’re combining multiple products such as oil and cream, mix them together first in your palm.

2. Forehead:

With the pads of your fingers on both hands, massage from the center of your forehead out in a spiral. There’s an important meridian point here, right between your eyebrows. Called “indang” in Korean, it’s often called the “third eye” in the West. Activating this point might increase your sensory perception.

3. Around Eyes:

Gently massage the area around the eyes and under the ridge of the eyebrows, being careful not to rub too hard or let any of the product touch your eye.

4. Nose & Lips:

Rub down the bridge of your nose, from top to bottom. At the top of your nose is the “migan” acupressure point, traditionally used for relieving headaches, insomnia and dizziness.

Massage up and down around the outsides of the nostril part of your nose. Next, massage above your top lip, moving from the center outwards. Here, you’ll find the “injoong” point in the center of the valley between your nose and lips. It’s considered useful for revival from fainting, shock and weakness.

Last, massage under your bottom lip, from the center out, and slightly upwards as if lifting your mouth into a gentle smile.

5. Cheeks:

Starting at the corners of your mouth, massage upwards in a spiral ending at the temples on the sides of your eyes. On each temple is the “taeyang” point, an important activation point related to the brain.

6. Whole Face:

Cover your entire face with both hands. Apply light pressure as you gently move your hands back toward your ears.

7. Feel Energy:

For a nice finish, rub your palms together briskly for a few seconds, then close your eyes and cover your face with your hands. Feel the energy from your hands on your skin. Imagine nourishing light coming out of your hands and penetrating deep into your skin and beyond.

8. Finish:

Open your eyes, and if you’re at a mirror, look at yourself in the mirror. Bring a gentle smile to your face, and out loud or in your mind, say a few kind words to yourself. Enjoy the feeling of giving yourself much-deserved love and self-care before you move on with your day or evening!

Check out our Hwangchil (Dendropanax) Premium Skincare Products here.