How to Give Yourself an At-Home Facial
It’s always important to carve out some “me time,” no matter how crazy life gets. To help you reduce stress, and practice self-care at home, we’ve broken down the steps for you to give yourself an at-home facial!
Before beginning your facial, it’s crucial to set the right ambiance. Put your phone down, play music that relaxes you, and light your favorite scented candle. Dim the lights and get ready for some self-pampering. This facial is about you!
Step 1: Cleanse the Skin
The first step to any facial is to properly cleanse the skin. Starting with a fresh, clean base allows your skin to absorb the most nourishment from all the upcoming steps!
Begin by dampening your face with lukewarm water and, using your favorite cleanser that works with your skin type, gently use upward massage movements to rub the product onto your face and neck for about 30 seconds. We recommend Dermafluid for dry and sensitive skin, or Deep Cleanser for oily and combination skin types. Use a dampened cotton pad and gentle, upward movements to remove the cleanser and help pull any dirt and impurities from your pores. Then, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Step 2: Use a Toner
Use an astringent or toner to finish the cleansing process by removing any excess dirt, oils or product left on your skin. Apply a few drops of a toner to a dampened cotton pad and gently swipe it across the face, making sure not to pull the skin. We love to use our 5.5 pH Toner because it’s gentle enough for all skin types and helps to re-balance the skin’s pH.
Make sure to thoroughly rinse your face after using an astringent or toner, so the next products can deeply penetrate the skin. Gently pat your face dry to avoid causing irritation.
Step 3: Exfoliate
Now it’s time to exfoliate! This means you’ll gently remove dead cells from the surface of the skin, which will allow it to receive the maximum benefits of the nourishing ingredients in the mask you’ll use in the next step.
We recommend our Cell Refresh AHA Exfoliating Lotion for this step, as it is suitable for even the most sensitive skin and helps skin stay problem-free. Once applied, allow the product to sit for 1-3 minutes for more sensitive skin, and no more than 5 minutes for oilier skin, before rinsing with lukewarm water.
Step 4: Apply a Mask
The possibilities for this step are endless! You should choose a face mask based on your skin’s current condition. Experiencing dry or itchy skin? Use a hydrating or soothing mask! Breakout skin? Use a clarifying mask! This step is your opportunity to personalize the facial and switch it up from week to week. Apply the mask to your face, avoiding the eye area, and leave on for as long as the instructions specify before gently removing it with lukewarm water. You can easily add steam to this step by filling a bowl with hot water, placing your face over the bowl and covering your head with a towel for a few minutes.
Make sure you don’t have a reaction to the mask of your choice before you apply it to your entire face by first applying it to the back of the hand or inner elbow. Look out for any uncomfortable burning, itching or tingling sensation. Check out the variety of masks we offer to consumers by viewing our mask collection.
Step 5: Moisturize & Massage
The final step for this at-home facial includes moisturizing to plump and protect the skin, and massaging to relieve tension, penetrate ingredients into the skin, and boost circulation. We recommend using one of our three daytime protection lotions depending on your skin type – Valnel for normal and combination skin, Ecran for dry and dehydrated skin, or Special Lotion #22 for oily skin.
Your facial massage doesn’t need to be complicated! We encourage you to use whatever is available to you at home. It can be as simple as using your fingers and upward massage movements on your face and neck, and under the eyes, or, if it is available to you, utilize a gua sha tool or facial roller. Regardless of what you choose, make sure you don’t use too much pressure and avoid stretching or pulling the skin.
We hope that you enjoy our step-by-step guide to a relaxing, at-home facial! During unprecedented times like these, it is important to put the world aside for a few moments and spend some time focusing on your wellbeing. Your skin – and your soul – will thank you!
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