It’s been a long week. (Even if you’re reading this on a Tuesday, that sentiment still stands.) You’re exhausted. You need a little treat yo-self moment. But you’re at home, you haven’t made a spa appointment, and frankly, your wallet is telling you not to anyway. (Facials can be expensive, y’all – on average, an in-spa facial ranges from $75-200+. And experts say you should ideally get a facial once a month!)
What you need (and deserve) is a luxury facial – the ultimate mix of skincare and relaxation.
And, good news: this is something you can totally DIY, with a mix of products/tools you already have on hand and a few optional extras that will make a great addition to your everyday routine as well as your once-in-a-while at-home spa day.
Read on for a step-by-step guide to an at-home facial that really works.
Essential Tools and Products for an At-Home Facial
First off, let’s make sure you have everything you’ll need:
Skin Products:
- Cleanser – Perhaps two, a face wipe/oil-based cleanser to remove makeup/dirt + a gel-based cleanser.
- Exfoliant – Either a physical scrub or a chemical exfoliant (recommended).
- Face Mask – The main event! One formulated for your skin type & the goal you have of this facial, whether it’s brightening, hydrating, firming, etc.
- Toner – To restore your skin’s pH.
- Moisturizer – One that’s ideal for your skin type. (Or, feel free to go with something a little heavier and richer than you’d use every day for this occasion. We’re going for the glazed-donut look and feel here!)
- SPF – A non-comedogenic facial sunscreen of SPF 35 or above.
Chances are, you already have many or all of these on hand for your usual skincare routine steps – during your facial, you’ll use ALL of them, in that order. (But don’t stress if you don’t have one or two of the above – you can still have a relaxing at-home facial!)
Other (Optional):
- Additional skin treatments/serums targeting specific skin concerns
- Warm towels
- Soothing music
- Sonic facial cleansing brush
- Candles or other aromatherapy
- Cucumber slices
Related: How to Exfoliate Your Face with a Brush
How to Use a Facial Cleansing Brush and See Results
Is a Facial Cleansing Brush Good for Your Skin?
How to Choose the Best Facial For Your Skin
Ideally, every step of your facial will be catered toward your unique skin type. If you have dry skin, you’ll use a heavier moisturizer; if you have oily skin, you’ll use a gel-based cleanser, and so on. Chances are, you’ve already created your everyday skincare routine with that in mind.
Here are a few extra facial tips for different skin types:
- For oily skin: Start off by double cleansing and use a clay face mask to balance oily skin.
- For dry skin: Use a hydrating face mask and look for products that include hyaluronic acid as an ingredient. Consider skipping toner and/or exfoliants if your skin is especially dry.
- For combination skin: Consider using a clay mask on your T-zone and a hydrating mask on the rest of your skin – now’s the time to be extra, after all!
- For mature skin: Consider adding a retinol treatment as an extra step right before your moisturizer.
- For sensitive skin: The main difference between a facial and an everyday skincare routine is how long the products linger on your skin, so it’s really important to make sure your skin doesn’t have any adverse reactions to any products. Be sure to do a spot test beforehand if you’re using anything new.
Step-by-Step Guide to a Complete At-Home Facial
1. Set the mood
Turn the lights down low, turn on some soothing music, light a candle, let your roommate know not to disturb you, do whatever you gotta do to make your space feel relaxing. The spa-like ambience is just as important as the facial treatment itself!
2. Get cozy
Put on a bathrobe or some PJs and get comfortable. Get your hair out of your face with a headband or hair tie.
If you’re DIYing your facial on your own, it might make the most sense to do so in front of your bathroom mirror. But if you really feel like pampering yourself, you can complete your facial lying down on a bed or a couch with a little prep. Simply place all of your skin products on a nearby table and have a few warm towels handy, some dry, some wet.
3. Cleanse
Use one cleanser/wipe to remove any makeup or dirt, then cleanse your skin a second time once free of debris. We recommend using a gentle facial cleanser and a sonic facial cleansing brush to achieve a deeper, more relaxing clean. Use a fresh towel to pat your skin dry.
4. Steam
This is to open your pores. A quick shower does the trick – but if you’re feeling extra bougie, place a hot, damp towel over your face for a few minutes instead.
5. Exfoliate
Apply a gentle chemical exfoliant featuring AHAs or BHAs – this is an important step to achieve clean pores. Let it sit for no longer than 5 minutes, or shorter if your skin is sensitive or you’re in a rush. Depending on the product, you’ll then proceed to the next step or wash it off first.
6. Apply a face mask
The main event! Generously apply your face mask of choice to your whole face (and neck/decolletée if you’d like) and leave it on for 10-15 minutes, or as long as instructed. Now’s the time to put those cucumber slices to good use (above your eyes) if you have ‘em. Then, rinse your face completely with water or a wet towel.
7. Tone
Apply an alcohol-free toner to soothe, hydrate, and restore your skin’s pH balance.
8. Treat
Now’s the time to add any additional retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide, or acne treatments your skin might be needing today, if desired. Rinse or allow to soak in as directed, ideally waiting a few minutes before moving on to the next step if you have the time.
9. Moisturize
Use a gentle, hydrating moisturizer like Blossom Cream to lock all that goodness in and leave your skin feeling soft and supple.
10. Apply SPF
As the very last step, apply SPF 35 or above. (If you’re going straight to bed after your facial, you can skip this step – just promise you’ll put sunscreen on in the morning, mmkay?)
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