How to Give a Facial Spa Treatment

An at-home spa facial can be easy and inexpensive.

It's easy to give your face some much-needed TLC without spending big bucks on a salon facial. Most facials feature the same basic steps: Cleanse, exfoliate, mask, tone, and moisturize. Give yourself an effective facial spa treatment at home by using the following tips and advice.

Things You'll Need

• Facial cleanser
• Facial scrub
• Toner
• Cottonballs or makeup removal pads
• Facial mask
• Moisturizer
• Towel

Instructions

1. Thoroughly cleanse your face and neck with a facial wash designed for your skin type. Cleansing removes dirt, excess oils, and makeup and prepares your skin for treatment. Apply the facial wash to wet skin and lather up and massage for at least 30 seconds before rinsing thoroughly. Do not dry.

2. Exfoliate by using a gentle scrub. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, which is an important part of any skin care regimen: "Skin holds on to dead cells rather than shedding them, especially during dry times like winter," says Robin Evans, a New York City spa owner. Regular exfoliation boosts radiance and helps prepare skin to better absorb nutrients in addition to removing dull skin. Some facial scrubs contain gentle sloughing ingredients such as sugar, salt, jojoba beads, or coffee grounds. Apply a small amount of your scrub to wet clean skin and scrub in a circular motion for about 30 seconds to stimulate circulation. Rinse well with water.

3. Apply a facial mask. There are dozens of types of skin masks on the market, and they all serve a purpose in a skin care regimen. Some tighten and tone skin, while others reduce oil or hydrate and firm. Choose the mask that is right for your skin type. Apply to clean skin in a thin, even layer, avoiding the delicate eye area. Allow the mask to dry; this usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. After the mask is dry, rinse your face thoroughly with warm water and pat it dry.

4. Use a gentle toner. While not everyone considers toners necessary, toners provide myriad skin benefits when added to a regimen. "Toners are most helpful and necessary for people with oily or acne-prone skin, or for people who want extra cleansing after wearing makeup or other heavy skin products, such as sun screen," says Dr. Hadley King, an NYC board-certified dermatologist. Toners remove the last traces of dirt, oil, makeup, or soap after cleansing; they also tighten pores and control oil production while refreshing and revitalizing skin. Apply a small amount of liquid toner to a cottonball or makeup removal pad and gently swipe it all over your face and neck.

5. Apply a moisturizer suited to your skin type. Massage a generous amount of cream or lotion into all areas of the face and neck, rubbing in circular motions to stimulate circulation and soothe the skin. Drenching skin in moisture regularly not only soothes the skin but also firms and decrease the signs of aging: "You'll plump up lines so they're less obvious," says Randy Stoloff, MD, dermatologist and medical director at Topnotch Resort and Spa in Stowe, Vermont.

References

• iVillage: 6 Reasons Why You Should Use Facial Toner
• Skincare News: Exfoliation for Every Skin Type
• Fitnessmagazine.com: Give Yourself an At-Home Facial
• Washington Post: Do Your Own At-Home Facials