Best Way to Do Facials at Home

The Aveda facial has been described as better than sex: as you’re being pampered into an heavenly state your skin is anointed with all sorts of potions and lotions, is smothered in masks, stimulated, massaged, exfoliated and relaxed. Although some people still view facials as a one-off treat or a quick fix for parched or problem skin, regular facials are a must if you want to maintain a good complexion. If I had the time and money I would love one a week but, according to beauty therapists, one a month is perfectly adequate.

Nothing quite beats the relaxed and pampered feeling you get from having a salon facial, but the true benefits of going to a salon come from firstly, the therapist’s experience, and secondly, the salon’s equipment and the professional products that are used. However, by using just a few specialised products, or even home-made recipes, you can perform your own facial at home.

The home facial

You will need: a face cloth (preferably made of muslin), a cleanser, toner and moisturiser, a facial exfoliator, face mask, massage oil and a water-based misting product.

• Cleanse: remove all traces of stale make-up and grime by cleansing your face thoroughly. Run your face cloth under warm water, wring it out and then cover your face with it for a few seconds. Repeat this procedure three times to soften your skin. Alternatively, you could steam your face by adding a few herbs and drops of essential oils to boiling water, or by using a ready-prepared product, such as Dr Hauschka’s Steam Bath Concentrate. Steam for about five minutes. (Do not steam your face if you are susceptible to thread veins.)
• Exfoliate: spend a few minutes massaging a gentle facial scrub into your face to remove dead skin cells.
• Facial massage: using a facial oil, like E’spa’s Balancing Facial Oil, Decleor’s Aromessence Visage Neroli Oil or a vegetable oil, such as wheatgerm, olive or avocado, massage the whole of your face using small, circular movements for ten minutes.
• Mask: use a mask that suits your skin’s needs. A hydrating mask, for example, will replace lost moisture, whereas if you want a deep cleanse, a deep-penetrating mask will help to lift out any impurities and will leave your skin scrupulously clean.

• Eye pads: leave your face mask on for fifteen to twenty minutes and, in the meantime, treat your under-eye area by either applying a hydrating eye mask, refreshing eye pads, cucumber slices or cold tea bags.
• Tone and moisturise: rinse off all traces of the mask and spritz your face with a soothing, water-based mist, such as E’spa’s Herbal Spa Fresh, Decleor’s Floral Moisturising Spray or Vichy’s Eau Thermale, before smothering on a light layer of moisturiser.