Want to get all the benefits of an in-spa facial at home? With the right products and this step-by-step guide, you can get lasting results.
Cleanse
There’s nothing better than coming home after a hard day of work, slipping into your sweats, sliding on a headband and removing your makeup for the night. A crucial step in any skincare regime, cleansing removes the day’s dirt and oil buildup and unclogs pores, allowing your skin to get its required oxygen intake. Make sure to pick a cleanser based on your skin type (oily, combination or dry). Milk-based cleansers are best for sensitive or dry skin, while gel-based cleansers are best for oily or combination skin that’s prone to breakouts. In a circular motion, work up a lather with your fingertips, rinsing with cool to lukewarm water.
Tone
This step removes any extra makeup as well as balancing your PH level, a crucial step, most estheticians argue, to achieve healthier looking skin. Soak a cotton pad with toner and work into your skin, ensuring that all areas get covered. If you have an oily t-zone, absorb excess sebum with more attention to that area.
Exfoliate
Nothing is quite as satisfying as the knowledge that you are sloughing away dead skin cells to reveal a smoother, softer layer of skin underneath. Pick an enzymatic exfoliant (read: non-abrasive) if you have sensitive or reactive skin, and a gommage exfoliant if you’re a thick-skinned gal. (Note: with an in-spa facial, steam and extractions would follow exfoliating, but skip this step when you’re on your own, as it can cause scarring when done incorrectly).
Mask
A mask can only work its magic when it is tailored to your skin type. Need more moisture? Pick a creamy moisturizing mask. Want to get rid of pimples or minimize pores? Try a purifying one. Soothing masks are for those with reactive skin that is quick to rouge.
Moisturize
Your moisturizer is the finishing touch and will treat the skin all day or night to improve its appearance. Again, pick your cream based on your skin’s primary need. If your concern is fine lines, look for a smoothing moisturizer that has glycolic acid. If you’re worried about breakouts, try a moisturizer that has salicylic acid to keep pores clear. If you want to correct environmental damage, look for a lotion that is packed with antioxdiants like vitamins C and E or green tea. Keep in mind that in the winter months, a richer cream is best, while the summer requires only a light lotion or a tinted moisturizer with SPF.
