How to Give Yourself a Home Facial

Professional facials can be relaxing, but rather costly. Here is an effective, yet inexpensive way to experience a relaxing facial at home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Facial cleanser
• Toner
• Facial scrub
• Facial mask
• Washcloths
• Soft towels
• Large bowl or sink
• Strong facial tissue
• Eye cream or gel
• Candles (optional)
• Relaxing music (optional)

1. 
    
   Face cleaning

   Cleanse: One of the first steps in giving yourself a facial is by cleansing the makeup, dirt, and oil from your face and neck. Apply the facial cleanser with your fingertips in gentle circular upward strokes to your face and neck, avoiding the sensitive undereye area. Select a facial cleanser based upon your skin type. To fully remove dirt, grime, oil, and makeup leave cleanser on face for at least 2 minutes. Rinse cleanser off with warm water and soft cloth.

2. 
    
   Exfoliate

   Exfoliate: Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and rejuvenates, brightens, and freshens the look of your skin. Moisten your skin with warm water and apply a facial scrub. Leave scrub on your face for about a minute then rinse off with warm, wet cloth.

3. 
    
   Steam

   Steam: Steaming opens pores, loosens blackheads and whiteheads, releasing toxins, and prepares your face for upcoming steps and products. Use either a large bowl or sink and fill with boiling hot water. If using a bowl, place a towel under the bowl to catch evaporation and condensation. After filling, place a towel over your head and lean over the sink or bowl. Be careful not to get to close to the steam to avoid burning. Stay in this position for at least 5 minutes, but no more then 10 minutes. Afterwards, you can use your fingers and tissue paper to gently squeeze the blackheads.

4. 
    
   Mask

   Mask: Select a facial mask that is formulated for your skin type. Apply to your face avoiding undereye area, following the directions on the back of the product you selected. After the product is dry and feels taut, remove with warm water.

5. 
    
   Rinse

   Close Pores: After all this work it is important to close the pores and prevent dirt from re-entering. Splash cold water on your face, focusing on areas where your pores are the largest. Gently pat face dry with soft towel.

6. Tone: To remove excess oil and return the pH balance to your skin, apply a toner specially formulated for your skin type. After this step, allow your skin to breathe for a minute or two before moisturizing.

7. 
    
   Eye cream

   Eyes: Gently apply eye cream or gel to the sensitive undereye and surrounding eye area using the ring finger of each hand, being cautious not to get cream or gel into eyes. Note: The ring finger is the weakest and therefore the least likely to pull at the sensitive eye area.

8. 
    
   Moisturize

   Moisturize: Select a moisturizer specially formulated for your skin type. Apply moisturizer to face and neck with upward strokes, avoiding undereye area.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow a couple of hours for this process.
• Set the mood by lighting candles and playing relaxing music.

Resources

• Facial cleanser recipes