HOW TO GIVE YOURSELF THE ULTIMATE FACIAL AT HOME
Take note, Skin Obsessives!
Facials are one of our favourite splurges. Professional facials are one of the most luxurious and pampering experiences you can do for yourself. Settled into a blissful state of relaxation for an hour is a great way to de-stress and disconnect while refreshing skin. Facials are a fabulous extension to your normal skincare regimen and a great way to revamp skin. Giving yourself a facial at home can be an easier and more beneficial than you think!
Facials have many benefits
All skin types can benefit from getting facials on a regular basis. A trained professional can address skin concerns: acne, inflammation, dark spots, pigmentation and aging. Skin is exposed daily to many aggressive contaminants, such as pollution, UV rays and the environment. On top of busy, demanding lives skin can take a beating! Daily psychological stress can disrupt the hormonal balance in the body. The stress hormone, cortisol, can speed up aging by breaking down skin collagen and elastin.
There are more than just physical and beauty benefits of regular facials. Facials stimulate lymphatic drainage, reduce built-up fluid, regulate the immune system, increase both oxygen and blood flow, improve circulation and stress relief.
According to a Japanese study published by Biomedical Research, a 45-minute facial massage activates the nervous system, reducing psychological distress. Results in the women aged 20 —40 was reduced anxiety levels and boosted mood. (1)
Ohhhh… the feeling of walking out of a facial with skin soft, flushed and glowing!
Facial at Home: The Next Best Thing
Nothing beats the real thing!
Although there is evidence to support the many benefits of going for a professional facial regularly, it can get very costly depending on what treatment options you choose. And these days, most of us are stuck at home so it’s not really an option right now.
If you are dedicated to having healthy, glowing skin, listen up! Just because you don’t have the fancy tools or professional experience there isn’t any reason you can’t recreate a relaxing spa-quality facial experience from the comfort of your own home. We are here to tell you how!
Right Products. Commitment. Routine.
Create your spa experience once a week if possible. Getting to know your skin first will help you select the best skincare products to use for your skin type. Proper daily skincare in conjunction with regular facials can improve the overall quality of your skin, keeping it clear, rejuvenated and healthy.
Creating your own Spa-Level Facial at Home
PREP
Create a relaxing atmosphere
Choose a relaxing playlist that will keep you in zen mode and run an Epsom salt bath for a nice soak mid-facial. Light a few candles to create a relaxing ambience. Or clear off the kitchen table and line up your skincare goodies! Prefer some company? Gather a few besties and create a spa night together!
Pull your hair away from your face by tying it up or pushing it back with a headband.
Tip: We advise against performing your own extractions during facial; this should be left to your aesthetician.
Giving Yourself a Facial at Home 101
Cleanse
It is important to start with a clean canvas. Wet your face with lukewarm water. Starting from your chin, gently massage the cleanser in circular motions, working your way up your face and avoiding the eye area. Try to avoid tugging at skin or vigorously scrubbing.
Once you are done washing your face, pat dry using a soft towel.
Product choice: Natural cream cleansers are favourites because the formulas are perfect for aging or sensitive skin. Cream cleansers leave skin soft and hydrated without stripping skin of its natural oils.
Exciting News: Stay tuned for ELLA i SKiN’s antiaging cream cleansers coming soon!
Steam
Get ready to relax and soothe skin. Steaming skin provides a deeper cleanse by cleaning out contaminants from clogged pores. It softens skin which will enhance penetration of active 
ingredients in skincare products that follow. You can buy small at-home steamers (2) but that is not required. A simple bowl and towel is all you need, along with your favourite calming herbs and oils if desired.
Carefully pour 4 cups of boiling water in a large bowl. Opt for something other than a plastic bowl to avoid getting plastic molecules in your facial steam. Add some of your herbs or oils.
- Geranium essential oil: Renewal of skin cells
- Licorice Root: Detoxification
- Parsley: Detoxification, natural astringent
- Chamomile and Rose: great options for sensitive or dry skin
- Lavender: calm nervous system
Find a comfortable spot, such as sitting at the kitchen table. Lean over the bowl mixture about 10 inches away to avoid burns. Drape the towel over your head and the bowl. Lift the edge of the towel or raise/lower face to regulate the temperature. Sit like this for 5-10 minutes. Longer than 10 minutes can start to cause facial swelling, which can exacerbate blemishes in acne-prone skin.
TIP: If you suffer from eczema, you may want to skip the steam or consult with a physician first, to avoid natural oils being stripped.
Exfoliation
Regular exfoliation is important. Using your favourite mild exfoliant, gently rub in circular motions to remove dead skin cells and polish skin for a brighter glow. Sloughing off the outer layer of skin and excess oils will help other skincare products penetrate more effectively into your skin.
Rinse face and pat dry, removing all traces of your facial scrub.
Might we suggest: 100% Organic face exfoliant KELP MY SKIN concentrated with nourishing Sea Kelp.
Massage
Improve fine lines, wrinkles and eye bags by giving yourself a facial massage. Giving yourself a facial massage stimulates lymphatic drainage for natural cleansing of toxins, improves muscle tone and increases blood circulation.
Using damp hands, gently massage in circular motions, using care around your eyes. The goal is to relax and enjoy so go lightly. Focus on lympathic drainage for prevention of skin sagging. Slowly massage upward, starting with vertical strokes up the neck. Using fingers, massage jawline, chin and lips. Massage along the sides of your nose and cheeks, working around temples and up to the forehead. There are several different facial massage techniques so do what is effective and pampering for your experience.
Facial Mask
Choose a facial mask based on the skin concerns you want to address. A facial mask is the perfect treatment for hydrating and drawing out impurities from your pores. Masks can deliver nourishing ingredients to leave skin glowing and youthful.
Let it sit on face according to the product instructions, generally 5-15 minutes. Remove mask by rinsing with warm water and patting dry with a towel.
Tip: Try to steer clear of masks with synthetic fragrances and dyes that can be irritating to skin. Always check what medications you are taking as some can increase skin’s sensitivity. Always read ingredients before using and be careful when combining with other ingredients in your routine, such as strong exfoliants, retinols and acids.
Shop Masks.
Toner/Mist
Gently apply a refreshing toner using a cotton pad to leave skin bright and clean. Wipe away access dirt and impurities that have loosened from pores. A toner will restore your skin’s pH balance and will help so dirt doesn’t settle in skin.
Might we suggest: Applelicious. Fall in love with the toner mist’s fresh apple scent.
Serum
This is the perfect time to apply a treatment serum. If you are applying more than one antiaging serum, apply from thinnest to thickest consistency.
Serums have an array of potent antioxidants, hydrating and skin-restoring ingredients that penetrate deeper levels of the skin for maximum antiaging benefits.
Apply a few drops to your fingertips and apply to your face and neck area for instant burst of hydration. Let it sink deep into your skin.
Might we suggest: ELLA i SKiN superior antiaging serums. Target specific skin concerns with correlating products.
Moisturizer
Lock in moisture and preserve facial results with your favourite creamy moisturizer. Select a moisturizer without alcohol as they can be drying to skin, which is the last thing you want after this nourishing facial!
Apply moisturizer over face and neck using fingertips. You can also apply your favourite eye cream to nourish the delicate undereye area.
Might we Suggest: Beauty Sleep. Packed with stabilized Vitamin C, Amla, and Antioxidants to strengthen skin’s renewal process.
We hope you enjoying your facial at home. Your skin is GLOWING! Wait a few hours before applying makeup or sun protection.
Resources
(2)Had Enough of Blocked Pores and Blackheads? Try These Facial Steamers
