Bring the Spa to Your Home: 15 facial at-home ideas plus DIY Face Mask Recipe
Facials are genuinely one of the best things you can do for your skin. In the age of self-care, taking care of your skin is a little luxury that packs a big punch.
While your daily skincare routine is a great way to maintain your skin's health and keep it healthy and clean, a good facial can make a world of difference in your skin's texture, quality, and appearance.
Especially when it comes to targeting issues that you may be dealing with or treating pesky skin concerns that won't seem to go away.
A trip to the span will always be the best (and most luxurious) route for getting the golden facial treatment. But the truth is, you can give yourself a high-quality facial at home. You have to know what to use, what to do, and where to start! That's where we come in.
Before You Get Started
If you've never been to a beauty specialist before, or even if you have, the idea of a facial can seem a bit intimidating. It doesn't have to be!
Think of a facial as a deeper, more intentional version of your skincare routine.
You can start with what you have and where you're comfortable. Remember, this is supposed to be a treat!
That said, before you grab a bunch of your favorite skincare products and DIY ingredients from your kitchen, it's important to know a few basics to get the most out of your facial at home.
At a spa, your beauty advisor would do a skin analysis before getting started to get a good understanding of your skin, its needs, and determining the best products and ingredients for your skin type.
Since this is a facial at home and you're working on your skin, you want to have the same understanding before getting started.
Don't worry! This doesn't have to be super detailed!
At the very least, you want to understand your skin type well.
Ask yourself, is your skin normally very oily? Is dry skin a big concern for you? Is your skin prone to irritation?
You'll also want to think about any issues you may have been dealing with either recently or ongoing.
Maybe you've been struggling with a few dry patches or noticed a few new fine lines around your eyes. You might be dealing with hyperpigmentation (dark spots) in some areas or dealing with frequent acne breakouts.
Keep this in mind as they'll help you choose the right products and ingredients for your facial at home.
What should I include in my at home facial?
Here are the steps that every facial at home must include.
Step #1: Cleanse
Before officially starting your facial, the first thing you want to do is clean your skin!
Starting with a clean face will ensure you get the best results. Think about it, you don't want to layer on all these amazing products and ingredients on top of makeup, oil, or other impurities!
Take a few moments to give your skin a nice deep clean to set the foundation for your facial. If it's the first thing in the morning, your regular morning cleanse should be enough. If you're trying this facial at the end of a long day with a face full of makeup, it's a good idea to double cleanse. Start with an oil-based cleanser to break down makeup and follow up with your regular cleanser to make sure everything is squeaky clean.
Step #2: Steam
It isn't a facial if there isn't some steam involved. Steaming is a great way to open your pores and prep your skin for the following steps in your facial routine. The steam increases blood circulation bringing essential oxygen and nutrients to the surface of your skin. As your pores open, steam helps loosen any stubborn bits of makeup or dirt that have been left behind after cleansing. This will help your skincare products penetrate deeper into the skin during your facial. Not to mention, facial steaming just feels good and soothing too!
There are a ton of great facial steamers available on the market, but there are also ways to manually facial steam without them. Most facial steamers are handheld devices that you fill up with water. The device heats the water and distributes the steam. If you're looking to bring that spa experience to your home, facial steamers are the way to go.
To make this an official DIY facial at home experience, all you need is a bowl, some hot water, and a towel to efficiently steam your skin without any fancy devices. Fill your bowl with hot steamy water and hover your face directly above it. Wrapping a towel around your head while you do this can help lock in all that steamy moisture. If that sounds uncomfortable, you can always soak your towel in a bowl of hot water and then lay that towel on your face. This works just as well and feels just as luxurious too. Just be sure the towel is at a temperature that feels comfortable to you. Steaming is supposed to feel warm and soothing, not super hot and uncomfortable!
Step #3: Exfoliate
After steaming, it's time to exfoliate! Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skins and other impurities on the surface of your skin that may have your skin looking dull and lackluster. In moderation, exfoliating is amazing. It's essentially out with the old and in with the new for your skin. But done too often, and you can cause dryness or irritation. You know your skin best, so if you've already exfoliated a couple of times this week, you may want to give yourself a few days before trying a facial at home, so you don't overdo it!
The ultimate goal for exfoliating is smoother, brighter skin. But to get it right, it's important to use the right kind of exfoliator for your skin. For some, this might mean fewer scrubs and more chemical or enzyme-based exfoliators to get the job done.
Step #4: Mask
Once you're done exfoliating, it's time for a face mask. This part of your facial should be centered on treating any skin issues or concerns you might be dealing with. This is where you will work on those things like dryness, acne, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, or anything else that you may have noticed over the past few weeks or months.
The great thing about face masks is there are so many options to choose from, but you can also totally whip up your own using ingredients in your kitchen for great results too! Whichever you decide to use, just be sure to choose products or ingredients that your skin will love and follow directions regarding the application, timing, and removal. Most face masks that you buy will require you to leave them on for a certain length of time, and any DIY face mask you make will likely have similar recommendations.
Step #5: Massage
This is one of the best parts of your facial! Not only does a facial massage feel amazing, but it's also super beneficial. Like steaming, massages help improve the blood circulation in your skin. Anything to get the oxygen moving is a good thing. It also helps with lymphatic drainage, which is a fancy way to say it helps move some of the fluids around that may be causing swelling or inflammation in your face.
To get the most of your facial massage, you want to massage in some of your favorite hydrating ingredients. Think creamy moisturizers and rich serums. This is where you can treat yourself! If you can splurge on moisturizers and serums with high-quality ingredients, your skin will thank you. If you have a few products on hand that you love, try layering a few to give your skin a nutrient-rich massage. When layering products, always apply your thinnest product first and finish with your thicker products.
15 Facial At Home Ideas
Now that you know the in's and out's of facials at home, it's time to try your own!
If you're looking for ideas to get started, here are a few we love for all skin types and scenarios.
For dry skin
Focus on hydration. Start with a moisturizing cleanser, avoid harsh scrubs that could exacerbate that dryness, and choose a face mask and serums with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
For stressed skin
Focus on calming. Set the mood with a calm, scented candle (lavender always does the trick for me!) and spend an ample amount of time steaming your skin. Choose simple, naturally calming ingredients throughout your facial like lavender and calendula, and maximize hydration with something like aloe vera.
For a youthful boost
Focus on smoothing. Minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with hydrating products and anti-aging ingredients. Use a chemical exfoliant that contains AHAs, a peptide-infused serum, and take your time massaging everything in to boost blood circulation. Be sure to use a gentle hand!
For a deep clean
Double down on the cleansing. Start your facial cleansing oil, then follow up with a nice creamy foaming cleanser. A gentle exfoliating face scrub is a good option to clear and clear pores.
For oily skin
Focus on balance. We didn't include this in our facial routine, but if you're dealing with excessively oily skin, you might want to add a toner after cleansing your skin to balance oil production. For your face mask, opt for a clay mask. These work wonders for drawing oil out of your pores and combating oil buildup as well.
For protection
Build your skin barrier. Between the weather, environmental pollutants, and even masks, you might want to think about tailoring your facial to build resiliency. In this case, you want to focus on antioxidants for protection, peptides to support the building of essential proteins in the skin, and adding a high-quality SPF at the end!
For hyperpigmentation
Focus on it during the evening. Follow your normal facial routine, but try incorporating a few products that help even skin tone. Kojic acid is a great natural brightener, and retinol can be used in moderation to encourage healthy skin cell turnover. A DIY face mask using turmeric and lemon juice is a great addition to this facial.
For better texture
Focus on exfoliation. When your skin's feeling particularly rough, chemical exfoliators can help get rid of that dead layer of skin that could be blocking new healthy cells from making their way to the surface. Look for exfoliating ingredients like glycolic and lactic acid. Be sure to focus on hydrating ingredients as well to balance everything out.
For a radiant glow
Focus on brightening. If you're looking for a glow, you should be thinking about vitamin C. Adding a brightening serum will go a long way, but don't discount the power of using an exfoliator with a brightening ingredient like glycolic acid as well.
For sensitive skin
Keep it simple. Natural ingredients, fewer steps, and maybe skipping exfoliating will allow even the most sensitive skin types to enjoy the benefits of a facial. Spend extra time enjoying your facial steam and massaging your skin. Use something simple and refreshing like rosewater for hydration. It smells amazing and feels great too.
To repair
Reduce inflammation. Are you dealing with irritation, sunburn, or redness? Anti-inflammatory ingredients will be your best friend. Keeping it natural by using aloe vera is great if you're experiencing sensitivity as well. Add an extra step in your routine to massage aloe vera to soothe and heal damaged skin.
To fight acne
Clear pores. Additional steps in your facial routine to deep clean your pores will make a big difference in the fight against acne. After moisturizing, try adding a toner with salicylic acid (a powerful acne-fighting ingredient). Consider incorporating a step focused on decongesting, whether an extra serum or a decongesting face mask.
For a skin detox
Focus on clarifying. Double cleansing at the start of your facial is a great idea, and incorporating clarifying cleansers will be particularly helpful. If you like natural-based ingredients, consider a charcoal-based face soap or mask. Activated charcoal is loved for its ability to remove impurities and buildup.
For maintenance
Keep it consistent. Once you master the at-home facial, make it a weekly or bi-weekly event to upgrade your skincare routine. Get a solid product lineup, figure out your favorite DIY face mask, and set the date on the calendar to give your skin a little extra TLC regularly.
For a full-body facial
Want to take your facial at home to the next level? Give your whole body the facial treatment! Take a warm bath, use an exfoliating body scrub, a handheld massager to massage, and a creamy moisturizer to bring the spa experience to the rest of your skin as well.
DIY Honey and Avocado Face Mask
Ready to try your facial at home? We've got the perfect face mask to compliment your routine no matter your skin type or how experienced you are. It's super easy, and the best part? You probably have these ingredients in your kitchen right now!
The ingredients:
Honey, avocado, and grapeseed oil. That's it! Honey is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and hydrating! Perfect for sensitive, acne-prone, and dry skin. While avocado is packed with nutrients to nourish the skin, antioxidants for protection, and oleic acid, which helps reduce redness. Grapeseed oil is a natural acne fighter full of fatty acids and antioxidants!
How to make this mask:
- Mash ¼ cup of avocado into a small bowl.
- Add one teaspoon of honey
- Add one teaspoon of grapeseed oil
- Mix until well blended
Apply the mixture using your fingers or a face brush and let it sit for 15 - 20 minutes. Be sure to rinse clean, and finish up your facial routine as normal!