What does a lymphatic drainage facial do and should you try it?

Skin CareI’m 42 but people think I’m 35 thanks to my daily lymphatic facial — here’s how I do itExperts say it can decrease puffiness and boost your glow.May 14, 2026, 3:05 PM EDTBethany HeitmanContributing EditorSkip to table of contentsTo maximize results, experts say it’s important to massage your face in gentle, upward motions. Getty ImagesWe don’t always have the answers, but we have some people on speed dial who do — which is why we present to you our series FYI where we have experts explain if lip balm is actually bad, how often should you wash your hair and more. When it comes to my morning skin care routine, there are three things that are non-negotiable — moisturizer, SPF and facial massage. The first two have been a standard part of my regimen for years, while that last step is a bit newer. It started after I noticed an influx of influencers in my social feeds using a gua sha tool or brush to give themselves a lymphatic drainage facial. They’d massage one half of their face and when they were done, the side they’d massaged looked significantly more perky and sculpted than the other side. Since I’ve been doing it every morning, I swear I look significantly younger and more awake.Of course, I’m no skin expert — so while I can tell that it does something, I can’t tell you exactly how lymphatic drainage for your face works. To get the answer, I spoke with an esthetician and dermatologist. Below, they explain how a lymphatic drainage facial benefits your skin and how you can try it at home.RelatedselectselectThe best creams to help repair your skin barrier in 2026What is lymphatic drainage for your face?To understand how at-home lymphatic drainage facials work, you first need to have a basic understanding of what your lymphatic system is and how it operates. According to the Cleveland Clinic, your lymphatic system is a network of tissues, vessels, and organs — including your lymph nodes — that maintain fluid balance in your body, absorb fats and help to remove...