For the sake of this article, I’m using “facial massagers” as an umbrella term for several types of tools, but each really deserves a deep dive on its own—several of these modalities have fascinating histories of use, research to back up their benefits, and more. (Again, I’ve linked to other resources so you can learn more!)

Facial massages in general are incredibly good for the skin: research shows that regular facial massages can actually help improve skin quality. For example, in one study, patients saw a feeling of tightness and tightening of the skin1 after regular massages.

This is likely due to the effects on blood circulation: one study found that turning your face only took five minutes a day improvement of blood flow to the face1. This is notable because the blood brings nutrients and resources to the skin, so in theory, improved blood circulation helps improve the quality of the skin.

“So often in beauty we talk about collagen, elastin, skin cell turnover, and these are all important things to talk about because they are part of the function and structure of the skin. But Chinese medicine also says we have to talk about circulation—because circulation is what feeds it all,” says Sandra Lanshin Chiu, L.Ac., MSTCM. “It really goes back to the basic principle of Chinese medicine, which is that circulation is everything.”

Here are some of the best facial massage techniques to consider: