Featuring Dara’s Oil by Marie Veronique

In case you couldn’t already tell, we’ve been huge Kristina Holey fans since the early days: Dara has adored Kristina since the day she arrived on her doorstep for a facial in 2015.

So, you can imagine Dara’s excitement when this culty skincare therapist offered to create a facial massage protocol for Dara’s Oil, the beautiful facial oil that the brilliant Marie Veronique created just for us. (Dara’s Oil skates over the skin with ease but doesn’t feel greasy or heavy; it’s a facial-massage marvel.)

Huge thanks to Marie for so kindly creating Dara’s Oil (found out how it came to be here), and to Kristina for so generously sharing this protocol to help us get the most out of this gorgeous formula.

Incorporating a facial massage into your morning and evening skincare routine is a quick and easy way to boost your skin’s health. For the best results, try to make it a daily habit. Whether you’re using a gua sha tool or just your hands, massaging your face regularly helps stimulate blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. This light, gentle massage (not a deep muscular massage) helps keep the fluids moving and supports healthy immune function.

You don’t have to follow a strict facial gua sha routine—simply focusing on massaging the contours of your face in a relaxed, intuitive way will make a difference. The key is consistency—aim to do this daily to see the best results. Sculpting is not the immediate goal; the focus should be on freeing up fluid and supporting overall skin health. Over time, you’ll feel more confident and in tune with what works best for your skin.

The Dara’s Oil Facial Massage Protocol

Begin by taking 1-2 pumps of Pure EO Free Oil Cleanser and warming it between your hands. Gently spread the cleanser over your face, neck, and chest. Using your first three fingers, make small, circular motions across your face, adding a little warm water as you go. Start in the center and move outward and upward. As you become more comfortable, feel free to experiment with varying pressure.

After about 3 minutes, once your face feels warm and thoroughly cleansed, rinse thoroughly with water and gently pat your skin dry.

Next, apply Balancing Hypotonic and one full dropper of Dara's Oil. Massage the oil into your face, neck, and chest, thinking of it as a way to integrate the oils into your skin’s tissues. Focus on specific areas of your face as you work your way up and out, up, and out.

Remember, there’s no need to stress about the technique—it’s all about the feeling! The more you practice, the more natural it will feel, and it’s hard to go wrong when you focus on how your skin responds.

Don’t Forget Your Neck, Shoulders, Ears, and Scalp!

Massaging your neck, shoulders, ears, and scalp is just as important. This promotes proper blood flow to and from your face and feels amazing! You might also want to incorporate deep breathing or mindfulness into your routine for added relaxation. It’s a great reminder to be gentle and kind to yourself, and your skin.

Here’s a simple neck massage you can add daily: Place two fingers at the base of each ear. Gently draw a line down to your collarbones, applying light pressure. Repeat this 5-10 times on each side. This technique is especially helpful for breakouts and rosacea.

Make It a Daily Habit

Aim for 5-10 minutes of facial massage every morning and night. Over time, this routine will help condition your skin, improve circulation, and promote the flow of nutrients. It will also support toning your facial muscles and reducing fine lines.

Consistency is key!

- Kristina

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Want more of Kristina’s thoughts on skin? Check out what she suggests for perioral and periorbital dermatitis, a common and confounding skin condition.