Getting a facial every three to four weeks is key to keep your skin squeaky clean and glowing. But you can’t frequent your favorite spa or facialist right now. So we chatted with several top estheticians, skin care experts and facialists to divulge insider tips on how to give yourself a great at-home facial. While you should leave extractions and such to the pros, there are amazing products and techniques to help you properly cleanse your skin, get the blood flowing and practice some of the same massage movements at home. Try these at-home facial tips and tricks to continue the glow.
[ Next: First Time Getting a Facial? Here’s What You Can Expect ]
How to Give Yourself a Great Facial at Home
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Give Yourself a Facial Once a Week
"Giving your skin a facial at home is sure to reveal softer, clearer, smoother and younger-looking skin," says celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau, who recommends an at-home facial once a week. "It’s the perfect way to give skin extra results above and beyond your normal skin care routine," she adds.
Image: @sixvegansisters
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Give Your Face a Massage
Naturopathica Rosehip Seed Regenerating Facial Oil, $64 at Naturopathica
Start your at-home facial with a massage. "Weekly facial massages help to jump-start circulation and lymph flow, thereby reducing puffiness and creating a brighter skin tone and appearance," says Barbara Close, founder and CEO of Naturopathica. "To perform your facial massage, use a skin conditioner, such as a toner or facial oil, to slow cellular aging."
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Stroke Skin in Upward Motions
Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil, $60 at Clarins
You can also incorporate massage into your regular routine while you apply your creams or facial oils, notes Lindsey Blondin, lead esthetician for George the Salon Chicago. "While spreading your products onto your skin, you can lightly stroke the skin in upward motions, pinch the skin lightly in rolling motions or lightly tap your fingers to the skin. You can also do many of these techniques throughout your day with no product, just avoid using too much pressure. You want to stimulate a wound-healing response, not actually create wounds for it to heal."
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Tap Your Face
Ildi Pekar Moisturizer, $78 at Ildi Pekar
Ildi Pekar, facialist to the stars, likes the Hungarian Tapping Technique, which gives your skin extra stimulation to re-energize and create an instant glow. "Take your moisturizer (best with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid) and apply evenly on your face with circular tapping motions to stimulate the skin and help penetrate the product in faster. It gives you a nice plump face with a radiant glow!"
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Lymphatic Drainage Is Key
Pekar also recommends going one step further than massage with a mini lymphatic drainage. "This will help bring back stimulation for the face as well as draining out the puffiness in your face as well," she says. The technique is easy to master at home and involves massaging key points on your face and neck. Check out this handy guide here to get started.
Image: Imaxtree
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Steer Clear From Friction if You Have Sensitive Skin
May Lindstrom The Facial Treatment Brush, $30 at May Lindstrom
Though massage is beneficial to all skin types, Blondin says people with sensitive or acne-prone skin should stay away from too much friction. "Creating too much blood and lymphatic flow can cause irritation to these two skin types. You can use brushes, fingers, smooth rocks, glass balls, a microcurrent. Just avoid using deep pressure for long periods of time or objects including brushes that have harsh or jagged edges," she says.
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Apply a Warm Compress
Naturopathica Lavender & Honey Balancing Mist, $34 at Naturopathica
"For an easy at-home ritual, hold a washcloth under a hot water faucet, wring dry and spritz with a balancing facial mist," relays Close. "Starting with clean skin, apply the warm compress to your face and inhale the aromatic essences. Apply two pumps of facial oil into your hands and massage into your neck and face in long upward and outward sweeping movements."
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Use a Scrub With Round Particles
Renée Rouleau Mint Buffing Beads, $34.50 at Renée Rouleau
After cleaning skin with a mild cleanser, Rouleau likes to use a gentle mint exfoliating scrub with round (not jagged) particles to break down and remove surface dry skin cells. "The mint botanicals also help to increase blood flow to the skin to bring oxygen and fresh nutrients to the cells," she adds.
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Incorporate a Professional-Strength Peel
Renée Rouleau Triple Berry Smoothing Peel, $88.50 at Renée Rouleau
Next, Rouleau likes to apply a thin coat of exfoliating peel for 7 to 10 minutes to remove dry skin cells and prep skin for a mask. Rouleau's professional-strength peel uses acids that gently lower the pH of the skin to further dissolve and digest cellular buildup for a truly smooth complexion. "The blend of powerful antioxidant-rich berries and five skin-smoothing AHA and BHA acids help to stimulate renewal and improve texture while refining the appearance of large pores," she says.
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Enhance With a Serum and Mask
After exfoliating, Rouleau recommends applying four to five drops of a serum that is suited for your skin type. "A skin serum will enhance results by delivering potent, active ingredients into the skin. Serums have a small molecular structure and should always be used under a moisturizer or mask. Be sure to apply around the eyes, but not too close to the lashes to avoid irritation."
Post-serum application, rinse with cool water and apply a thin coat of a mask to entire face and neck (optional) for 10 to 15 minutes, she says. "The mask will help push the serum deeper into the skin. Clay masks are great for oily, problem skin, gel masks are for sensitive and dehydrated skin types and cream masks are best for dry, sun-damaged skin. Be sure to rinse skin well."
Image: @reneerouleau
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Try a Clay Mask
Immunocologie Vital Clay, $105 at Immunocologie
Karen Ballou, founder of Immunocologie, recommends using a purified clay mask enriched with minerals, such as copper, magnesium, zinc and calcium. Along with increased hydration, "it's ultimately giving your skin back those minerals and nutrients that it loses to support your skin's immune health," she says.
