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A good facial leaves your facial skin smooth, bright, and flushed. It's fun to get a facial at a spa, but you can get the same great results in the comfort of your home without spending any money. Start by thoroughly cleansing and exfoliating your skin, then use a steam treatment and mask to draw impurities from your pores. Finish with toner and moisturizer to help your skin look beautifully soft and refreshed.
Steps
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Pull your hair back from your face. Use a headband, hair band, or bobby pins to pull back your hair and bangs so your face is fully exposed. You don't want it to get in the way during your facial. -
Wash your face with gentle cleanser. Use your favourite facial cleanser to remove make-up and wash your face. Use warm water, instead of cold or hot, since warm water is the best temperature for delicate facial skin.- Be sure to remove all of your make-up before you continue with the facial.
- If you're in the mood to try something new, use the oil cleansing method to wash your face. Apply almond, jojoba or olive oil to your face, then wipe it away with warm water. This is an excellent way to remove make-up without damaging skin.
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Use a facial scrub or another exfoliant. Dead skin cells build up on the face and leave it looking a little dull. Ex-foliating your skin to brighten it up is an essential part of any facial routine. Use your favourite facial scrub to gently rub away the dead skin. If you don't have a scrub, you can make your own. Try these simple combinations: [1] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source- 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 teaspoon milk
- 1 teaspoon ground oatmeal, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground almonds, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 teaspoon water
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Rinse your face and pat it dry. Give your face a final rinse to remove all traces of your facial scrub. You may need to use a washcloth dipped in warm water to remove scrub from around your eyes and nose. Finish by patting your face dry with a soft towel.
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Give yourself a facial massage. Massage increases circulation, leading to brighter, healthier skin. Now that your face is clean, give yourself a massage before moving to the next phase of your facial. Use your forefinger and middle finger to massage your face in a gentle circular motion. [2] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source
- Massage your forehead, starting in the middle and moving down to the temples.
- Massage your nose and cheeks.
- Massage your lips, chin, and jaw.
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Do a steam treatment. Boil a small pot of water on the stove. Turn off the heat and stand over the pot with a towel draped over your head, so that the steam coming from the water will be trapped around your face. Steam your face for five minutes or so, making sure to come up for air when you need to. Steaming helps to open your pores in preparation for a facial mask, which draws out impurities. [3] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source- For a more luxurious experience, add some essential oils to the water. You'll get a steam and aromatherapy treatment in one. Try a few drops of lavender, lemongrass, rose, or grapefruit essential oil to lift your spirits.
- If you don't have essential oils, throw a few herbal tea bags into the water. Chamomile, chai and peppermint tea all have aromatic herbs.
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Make a facial mask. Next up is a facial mask, which will draw out impurities (like dirt and dead skin) from your pores. You can buy a facial mask product from the store, but it's easy and fun to make your own at home. Try one of the following masks: [4] X Research source
- For dry skin: mix 1 mashed banana and 1 tablespoon honey
- For medium skin: mix 1 tablespoon aloe and 1 tablespoon honey
- For oily skin: mix 1 teaspoon cosmetic clay and 1 teaspoon honey
- For any type of skin: use plain honey, which has antibacterial and moisturizing properties perfect for any skin type
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Apply the mask for 15 minutes. Smooth it over your skin, then wait for it to do its magic. In the meantime, why not give yourself an eye treatment? Lie back and place two cool cucumber slices over your closed eyes. If you don't have cucumbers, two chilled tea bags work just as well.
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Rinse your face and pat it dry. Use warm water to remove all traces of the facial mask. Be sure to remove the honey from around your eyes and nose, since if you leave it in place it will feel quite sticky.
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Apply a homemade toner. Toner helps to brighten the skin and restore its balance. You can use a store-bought toner, but many products you probably have on hand at home work just as well. Try one of the following homemade toners: [5] X Research source
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar mixed with 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon witch hazel mixed with 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon rosewater mixed with 1 tablespoon water
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Finish with a creamy moisturizer. The final step is to apply moisturizer that suits your skin type. Moisturizer will keep your skin from drying out, preserving the results of your facial. [6] X Expert Source Lydia Shedlofsky, DO
Dermatologist Expert Interview. 14 May 2021. Look for a facial moisturizer that doesn't contain alcohol, since this can cause your skin to dry out more quickly.- If you want to use a homemade, all-natural moisturizer, try argan oil, almond oil or jojoba oil.
- Aloe is another great natural moisturizer that has healing properties as well. It's especially useful if you're recovering from a sunburn.
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Wait a few hours before applying makeup. Wait a little while before you start your regular makeup routine to give your facial skin the chance to rest and reap the full benefits of your facial. [7] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Makeup normally contains alcohol and a wide range of chemicals, and applying it right after exfoliating your face and cleaning your pores could cause irritation.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat do you need for a facial at home?Dr. Lydia Shedlofsky is a Resident Dermatologist who joined Affiliated Dermatology in July of 2019 after completing a traditional rotating internship at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. After graduation, she moved to Beira, Mozambique, and worked as a research assistant and intern at a free clinic. She completed a Post-Baccalaureate program and subsequently earned a Master's Degree in Medical Education and a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.It depends on the patient skin type, lesions and goals of the facial. Discuss the situation with a board-certified Dermatologist to help determine your needs and to receive product recommendations.
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QuestionWhat are the possible side effects of doing a facial?Dr. Lydia Shedlofsky is a Resident Dermatologist who joined Affiliated Dermatology in July of 2019 after completing a traditional rotating internship at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. After graduation, she moved to Beira, Mozambique, and worked as a research assistant and intern at a free clinic. She completed a Post-Baccalaureate program and subsequently earned a Master's Degree in Medical Education and a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.Side effects of using the wrong product or the incorrect frequency may be as mild as not getting the desired results with wasted monetary resources, or as intense as permanent scarring.
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QuestionHow can I tell what type of skin I have?Community AnswerLook at key areas on your skin. If you are prone to getting acne in your t-zone/chin, you have oily skin. If your skin is patch or flaky (easily seen when applying makeup), you probably have dry skin.
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Tips
- Don't scrub your face too hard when you exfoliate, or you could irritate your skin.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Wash your face twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night. However, use a soft cleanser for one, so you don't over-exfoliate.
- If you have sensitive skin or acne prone skin, skip the steam part of the facial to avoid irritation.
- Test homemade scrubs or masks on your wrist first to avoid allergic reactions.
- Wash your face with cold or warm water. Using hot water can damage your skin.
- You can also use honey for a homemade face mask or scrub.
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Things You'll Need
- Face cleanser
- Facial scrub
- Pot with water
- Facial mask
- Toner
- Moisturizer
- Towels
References
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/relaxation-techniques-for-stress-relief.htm
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-steaming-your-face-good-for-your-skin/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2Mti0AwL80
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8E9v2vpkww
- ↑ Lydia Shedlofsky, DO. Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 14 May 2021.
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-aloe-vera-drink/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To do a facial at home, start by using a gentle cleanser and exfoliating scrub to slough away dull and dead skin. Next, do a facial steam treatment for about 5 minutes to open up your pores, then apply a face mask that benefits your skin type. Leave the mask on for about 15 minutes so it can draw out impurities, then rinse it away and pat your skin dry. Finish up with a toner and moisturizer! To learn how to mix up your own exfoliating scrubs and facial masks at home, read on!
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,174,126 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "Before now, I saw having a facial as something you must get from the spa and is for the rich. But with this article, I can now have my facial in the comfort of my home and enjoy the same great result. Thanks to you guys." ..." more
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"Before now, I saw having a facial as something you must get from the spa and is for the rich. But with this article, I can now have my facial in the comfort of my home and enjoy the same great result. Thanks to you guys."
..."
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"I loved that at every step you gave alternatives that can easily be made at home, and that you gave more than one option. Also, it was helpful to know how long after a facial one should apply makeup. That was one of the questions I had intended to look up."
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"I had a lot of dead skin, and the sugar and honey worked great. My face is much brighter, and the dry patches are gone. I was so impressed; I thought, why stop there? I did my lower legs, and the results were just great!"
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"I'm super excited to try this method! I have almost everything I need right at home. Easy instructions, and the pictures were very useful. Will try this facial out this weekend and post the results afterwards!"
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"The facial method given here is perfect and natural. I did it before my engagement ceremony instead of going to a beauty parlor. No one could say that I didn't make an appointment with the beautician."
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