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Self-care can easily fall by the wayside during your everyday grind and hustle. But setting aside time to take care of yourself leads to a better quality of life. This includes taking care of your skin.
If your first thought is you don’t have the time -- don't be so sure! If you have 20 minutes, you have plenty of time to give yourself a spa-quality facial! We’ve got your guide to giving yourself an at-home facial ahead.
A facial is a multi-step skincare process that deep cleans your pores, sloughs away dead skin cells, and gives your skin a reboot. Most facials follow a pattern of cleansing, exfoliating, steaming, extracting, masking, treating, moisturizing, and massaging. There are also steps to treat specific skin conditions (we’ll get to those in a minute!) and access deeper layers of the skin.
Give yourself a glow with this step-by-step guide to a professional facial at home.
Use a remover labeled for the makeup and area involved. Let it loosen product according to its directions and wipe gently, avoiding dragging at the eyelids. See the makeup-removal guide.
Cleanse comfortably before optional facial steps. Double cleansing may help with persistent makeup or sunscreen but is not required for every facial.
If you choose an emulsifying oil cleanser, follow its directions for application and rinsing. Add a mild water-based wash only when useful for removal. Do not scrub with a washcloth to obtain a tight finish.
Use light fingertip contact and adequate rinsing. There is no universal one-minute rule for every cleanser; follow product-specific instructions. See washing technique and contact time.
Exfoliation is optional and should be skipped when skin is irritated. It is not necessary to make every later product penetrate deeply.
Choose at most one tolerated exfoliating step and follow its label. Enzymes are not the same as mechanical abrasion, and either route can irritate. Use the exfoliation guide before adding it.
Apply cleanser with gentle fingertips and rinse comfortably. Avoid scrubbing blackheads or inflamed pimples. Picking or squeezing can increase inflammation and the risk of marks or scars.
Exfoliating before a mask is not necessary and can increase irritation. Choose a mask for one useful cosmetic goal and review the total active exposure before combining steps.
For oiliness, a tolerated clay mask may temporarily absorb surface oil. For dryness, an optional moisturizing mask may improve comfort. Neither category detoxifies skin or substitutes for acne medicine.
A cosmetic mask may offer temporary hydration or a change in surface feel. It should not be expected to treat acne, reverse sun damage or lift sagging skin.
Use the exact contact time and removal method on the product. Rinse-off, sheet and overnight formulas have different directions. The mask-use guide covers timing, gentle removal and moisturizer afterward.
Rinse a mask or exfoliant according to its instructions. Toner is optional and should not be used to wipe away products that require proper rinsing.
Steam is optional and does not open pores. Skip hot steam when skin is irritated or heat-sensitive, and avoid any setup that could burn the face.
Skip home extractions and pore vacuums. Do not squeeze blackheads with fingers, tissues or tools; seek appropriate professional care when extraction is needed. Steam is optional and can aggravate heat-sensitive or irritated skin.
Keep existing treatment use consistent with its label or prescription. Do not add extra acids or spot products simply because this is a facial day. A vitamin C serum addresses a different cosmetic goal from a medicine for active acne.
If you use eye cream, apply the label amount only in the permitted area with clean hands and gentle pressure. Keep it out of the eyes and lash roots; skip new actives on irritated skin. See eye-cream placement and order.
Finish with a comfortable moisturizer. Recently exfoliated or irritated skin does not need a stronger anti-aging product; simplicity can help reduce avoidable irritation.
After applying as many hydrating products as you like, give yourself a facial massage to boost blood circulation and lymphatic drainage.
If you have a jade roller, now is it's time to shine. Pop it in the freezer ahead of time! The cold will help your skin start to calm down. If you don’t have a roller, just use your fingers.
Begin at your chin and gently stroke outwards with your fingers. Follow a similar pattern in all areas of the face. The idea is to go really lightly and focus on draining versus rubbing.
Once you’ve finished your facial, it’s time to light a candle, chill out, or listen to some calming music. Relax the night away and enjoy your fresh, glowing skin in the morning!
For treatment decisions, see the American Academy of Dermatology acne guideline and Herbal Dynamics Beauty’s acne-prone skin overview. For daily application, use the acne-prone skincare routine.
Choose the wash for your needs using the facial-cleanser guide. Dermatology guidance recommends gentle fingertip washing and avoiding scrubbing.
Use the face-mask guide to compare formats and the application guide for product-specific timing and removal.
