If you've ever enjoyed the luxury of a spa facial, you know it can remove years from your face. But few of us can afford the $70-80 it costs to indulge in the spa service. To maintain healthy skin between professional treatments, this basic at-home facial can be used as often as once a week on dry, combination, or oily skin.



Difficulty: Moderate

Things You'll Need:

- Scented Candles and Soothing Music

- Gentle Cleanser

- Warm Water and Clean Washcloth or Slow Cooker

- Exfoliating Scrub

- Oil- and Alcohol-Free Toner

- Clay-based or cream facial mask

- Basic Moisturizer

Steps:

Step One

Set a spa date for your at-home facial when things are clam and you can focus on pampering yourself. While an at-home facial is meant to cleanse your skin, it's also meant to provide a time of relaxation and rejuvenation. Set the mood with scented candles and soft music. The night before, prepare your equipment and products so you won't have to stop the facial mid-treatment to find something you're missing. Don't forget to turn off your phone.

Step Two

Begin your facial by washing your face to remove any make-up or dirt. For those with oily or combination skin, use a gentle cleanser made specifically for those skin types. Creamy or milky cleansers such as Cetaphil are ideal for dry skin. Work the cleanser into your skin with your finger tips and massage in circles. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.

Step Three

With your fingers, rub a gentle exfoliating scrub in a circular motion on your face. Concentrate on the areas around your nose and forehead. For combination skin, focus on the areas that tend to be more greasy. Rinse your face well with cool water.

Step Four

A little steam is great for opening the pores and achieving a deep clean. Fill a sink with warm water and dip a washcloth in and hold to your face. Repeat 2-3 times. For a more spa-like treatment, use a slow cooker. Pour a little water into the cooker and turn it on. Placing a towel over your head to trap the steam, lean over the cooker, and allow the steam to penetrate your pores. For a sensory experience, add mineral essential oils to the water before steaming.

Step Five

A toner is ideal for removing any excess oil and grime from your pores. Make sure to use a gentle, oil- and alcohol-free toner.

Step Six

If you have oily skin, use a clay-based face mask. Dry skin requires a hydrating gel or cream mask. To apply the mask, use upward strokes with your fingertips, avoiding the areas around the eyes. Keep the mask on for 10-20 minutes (or according to the directions on the product). Use a warm washcloth to rinse the mask completely from your face.

Step Seven

To close your pores, use a spray mist. Follow up with a moisturizer. Smooth on a soothing, basic moisturizer in upward strokes. Don't forget to apply moisturizer to your neck as well. Avoid strong moisturizers containing retinols or acids. These can over-exfoliate your skin and cause a reaction.

Tips & Warnings

Use gentle, upward motions when cleansing your face. Try to avoid removing deeply embedded debris or pressing too hard on blemishes. This can result in scars or infection.

Using brand-new cleansing products for the first time can sometimes cause additional outbreaks. If you experience any burning or discomfort, remove the product from your face immediately.

Use only products created for your specific skin type: dry, oily or combination.