LYMPH:
A DEEP DIVE

In our quest for healthy, glowing skin, we often focus on topical treatments like exfoliants, sunscreen, masks, and serums.  However, true, lasting skin health goes beyond the surface; it comes from within and underneath the skin. The Lymphatic System plays an integral role in overall well-being and in maintaining healthy and vibrant skin in the long term.

At Laurel Skin, we prioritize a holistic approach to skin health; one that champions longevity over all else and acknowledges the connection between vibrant skin and a well-functioning lymphatic system. Our products are intentionally formulated to support healthy lymph movement and flow. Acknowledging the impact of the lymphatic system, our goal is to offer insights and context into its world and provide simple ways to seamlessly integrate awareness of this system into your daily rituals.

 

THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

LIFE UNDERNEATH

Flowing just beneath the skin’s surface is a gentle, life-giving current; irrigating, cleansing, and providing nutrients to the tissues of our bodies from the inside out. This current flows through a connected system of vessels that collect, cleanse and move fluid throughout the body. It could be seen as a trade route of sorts, giving and taking with great precision. At all times, it moves along, pushing through vital nutrients and carrying wastes away, shuttling them back to the heart where they are broken down and properly disposed of. Understanding this vital function means that we have an opportunity to interact with and care for our lymph system in a way that supports and strengthens its function. So, what does this mean for your skincare routine?

To the extent that you incorporate awareness of your lymph system into your daily routines, it will have a positive impact on your overall skin health and longevity. While the western medical way of thinking is that the lymph system is self-reliant, for many of us that system actually needs our help. Things like stress, lack of exercise and proper breathing, or poor diet and hydration can impede this system. Our skin health is largely dependent on the free movement and quality of our lymph system. Stagnation and sluggishness can create conditions within our skin that we are not fond of: congestion, acne, puffiness, edema, dullness, and lack of vibrancy. Let’s look at a few ways the lymph system impacts skin health:

CLARITY + DETOX

As the primary detox mechanism, our lymph system ensures the disposal of cellular waste. Sustaining its continuous flow is important. Over time, stagnant or sluggish lymph movement can lead to persistent congestion and occasional breakouts, as the detox pathways become overburdened.

While acne and congestion have various causes, addressing lymph movement is often a priority in treatment. Stagnation, an accumulated state of the lymph, can be supported with consistent healthy movement, reducing congestion and chronic breakouts over time.

VIBRANCY + TONE

Every cell in our body and every tissue structure is bathed in the sea of our interstitial fluids. A healthy lymph system can be seen in visible results—clear, luminous skin with a rosy, energized glow. Boosting circulation not only saturates the tissues with nutrient-rich fluid but also enhances tissue plumpness, creating a beautifully vibrant tone, as if you just returned from a brisk walk outside.

Because healthy lymph flow has a cumulative effect, over time the connective tissues of our structures become strengthened, supporting the longevity of our elasticity and the cushion of our skin.

LIFT + CONTOUR

Fluid stagnation can result in visible puffiness and/or edema. When we establish healthy and regular flow, we flush the tissues and move the stagnant lymph along, revealing our natural contours.

Providing our supportive connective tissues with fresh, nutrient-laden lymph fluids means that our cells have more of the raw materials needed to strengthen and support the scaffolding of our skin. This results in a firm, lifted feel to the skin.

LYMPH TOOLS + MASSAGE

Our lymph system is autonomic, meaning it needs external movement to help its optimal flow. The large muscles of our limbs do a good job moving lymph around when we walk, stand, exercise, etc., but the more delicate areas of the face and neck can use some help along the way to keep the fluid surrounding the cells free from debris. Here are a few methods to help support lymph system movement in the face + neck:

• Manual Massage: Simply massaging the face and neck helps to support lymph movement by reducing muscle tension and the ‘roadblocks’ that can lead to stagnation. There is truly no replacement for the healing power of our hands. We incorporate an abundance of manual massage into our daily rituals during cleansing and serum application. Advanced education in manual massage techniques is part of every Laurel Skin Spa + Esthetician Partner’s holistic approach to skin health. You don’t need any tools or even a lot of time to take good care of your lymph system in this way.
• The Lymphatic Brush: A gentle brushing technique to target the superficial lymph vessels residing just under the skin to support lymph flow and “clear the clutter”. Treatments with a lymph brush can be helpful for those with chronic edema and fluid stagnation, as well as those experiencing deeper health challenges like autoimmune diseases or chronic disorders that slow the movement of lymph within the tissues.
• Gua Sha: An ancient practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine that has been adapted for facial beauty rituals in recent years. Gua Sha tools are used to increase circulation and reduce muscle tension, creating space for nutrient delivery and allowing lymph to flow as intended. Gua Sha can also support repatterning of the facial fascia to help sculpt the contours of the face and neck.

 

LYMPH + THE BODY

It seems obvious, but is still worth mentioning, that our lymphatic system runs throughout our entire body. While you can work in isolated areas to bring an increase in flow to a specific body region, it’s all connected, and lymph flows everywhere. We must recognize lymph as a whole-body system when considering its health and longevity.

Simple activities like walking, stretching, and applying lymph-supportive products regularly can have profound effects on our lymph health. Receiving lymph-focused treatments like facials or massage can also help amplify the benefits of any lymph practice, though we realize that’s not always necessary or accessible to everyone. A great alternative is to learn to give them to yourself, so you have access when and if you need them!

 

PLANT ALLIES FOR LYMPH HEALTH

The therapeutic action for lymph is ‘movement.’ Incorporating certain plant allies into your skincare routine can enhance lymphatic flow and support overall skin health. If one wishes to prioritize the healthy flow of lymph daily, certain plant allies have been shown to be especially helpful for maintaining vibrant lymph flow:

Conifers: Conifer resins and needles have been used for centuries to reduce inflammation and balance microbial loads, promoting rapid skin mending and healing. There is much research showing Conifers to be effective decongestants and fluid thinners, assisting in free-flowing movement.

Calendula: With an affinity for gentle movement, Calendula supports overall circulatory health, assisting in the productive transport of nutrients and wastes to and from cells. Calendula is also shown to be a mild diuretic, clearing stagnation and reducing puffiness and swelling.

Spice Crops: Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and peppers are warming spices that enhance skin circulation and fortify connective tissue. By boosting surface circulation, fresh nutrients are delivered to the tissues. The influx of fresh fluid displaces stagnant fluid, promoting increased movement and flow in the targeted area.

Clover: Known as an ‘alterative’ herb, Clover assists our cells in the elimination of cellular metabolic waste. Clover is also rich in an abundance of minerals like magnesium and vitamins like niacinamide, which make it suitable for flushing fluid and relaxing tense muscles.

Rosemary: One of the most well-researched herbal medicines in existence. Rosemary’s abundance of rosmarinic acid thins fluids, making it easier to move through stagnation and blockages beneath the skin. This evergreen has pituitary and nervous system balancing effects, reducing tension in both muscles and an overactive mind. Rich in minerals, antioxidants and unsolic acid, Rosemary also can increase our skin’s production of ceramides and collagen type 1 – both working to firm the skin and connective tissue.

Fennel: Fennel supports the way our tissues and cells respond to toxins and waste build-up while preventing lipid oxidation from damaging our cell’s DNA.

 

LAUREL SKIN + LYMPH HEALTH

Seeing as though we are a holistic, herbalist-formulated line, nearly all of our products are crafted with an element of lymph health in mind. However, some of our products are formulated with a more intentional focus on lymph health to address lymph-specific conditions and outcomes because there are times when we will need extra support.

Lymph Compound: A concentrated blend of lymph-moving herbs like Clover, Fennel, Juniper, White Pine, and Rosemary, formulated to promote healthy lymphatic flow, reduce stagnation, and support detoxification pathways. Lymph Compound is ideal for those who wish to bring their awareness of lymph health into their daily routine and for those experiencing challenges with puffiness, edema, congestion, and chronic illness.

California Body Oil: Formulated with a thoughtful combination of lymph-supportive conifers and herbals, California Body Oil nourishes the skin while encouraging lymphatic movement throughout the whole body.

Unburden Serum: Featuring potent anti-inflammatory herbs like Self Heal and Yarrow, Unburden Serum helps alleviate stagnation and the inflammation that follows. By doing this, we can clear congestion and reduce inflammatory skin responses like sensitization, redness, and reactivity while supporting the lymphatic system in maintaining optimal function long term.

Antioxidant Mask: Formulated with an abundance of lymph-supportive herbs such as Nettle, Dandelion, Red Clover, and Echinacea, this powerful multitasking mask effectively combats inflammation and loss of elasticity while sustaining a healthy lymphatic flow.

Oil Cleanser: As a potent purifier, Oil Cleanser is rich in lymph-supportive herbs like Turmeric, Rosemary, Black Cumin Seed Oil, and Tamanu. This deep detox cleanser pulls debris to the surface and rapidly stimulates lymph movement just under the skin. Helpful for those with congestion and breakout-prone skin as well as those challenged with fluid stagnation in the eye area.

 

YOUR LYMPH PRACTICE

Taking care of your lymph system doesn’t have to be complex or time-consuming. If there’s one takeaway from this Journal entry, it’s that simple lymph practices can be just as impactful for your well-being as more elaborate routines. Incorporating one or two lymph practice moments into your daily self-care can contribute significantly to your healing and longevity. The first step is simply being aware that your lymph system deserves attention.

Perhaps you begin using a lymph-supportive product every day or maybe you begin a twice-weekly lymphatic massage routine. It could even look like a monthly lymphatic facial or full body massage. The point here is that it can and should fit comfortably into your life. As you become more familiar with the concept, I am confident that considering your health will naturally include thinking about your lymphatic system.

The importance of my own lymph practice was first introduced to me by Angela Peck – my first and most profound teacher of the lymphatic system. While we touched on the lymphatic system when I studied herbal medicine, Angela was the first Esthetician I met that drove home the importance and connection between overall skin vibrancy and lymphatic movement. Seeing Angela for facials has restored vitality to my skin over and over again. If you are interested in diving even deeper into the world of lymphatic health, we recommend you turn to her as one of the industry’s most respected experts.

Much love,

Laurel + the Laurel Skin Team