While a facial at a beauty salon is often expensive, you can achieve the same results at home in less than an hour. Gather the materials and give your skin the attention it deserves. The benefits of regular facials include smooth skin and a healthy glow. Facials can also relieve some of the discomfort caused by dry winter air and summer wind and sun.
Clean and Scrub
First wash your face. Choose a mild facial cleanser or soap. Use your fingertips to massage the cleanser into your skin in a circular motion; then rinse off with cool or lukewarm water. If you prefer to make your own cleanser, Diana L. Carswell of the "Washington Post" recommends mixing a tablespoon of whole milk with a few drops of olive oil. This is especially good for dry skin. After washing, use a gentle scrub to exfoliate dead skin cells. You can use a commercial product, cornmeal and oatmeal mixed with almond oil, or baking soda mixed with water. Don't use anything that is too grainy or coarse, and skip this step if your face is broken out with acne or if you have any rash or irritation.
Open Pores
Jenny Jones recommends using steam to open your pores. Do this by filling your sink with hot water. Add a bag of chamomile tea or a few drops of lavender oil to the water, if desired. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the steam, allowing it to rise onto your face for about five minutes. Another method is to wet a washcloth with the hot water, allow it to cool slightly and place gently on your face. Be careful not to burn yourself. If you have blackheads on your nose, chin or forehead, this is a good time to remove them with a blackhead extractor or pore strips. Follow the directions carefully and don't pick or squeeze at blackheads.
Apply a Mask
The relaxing part of a facial is to apply a mask to your face and rest while it dries. You can purchase a commercial mask made for your skin type from a pharmacy or discount store, or you can make your own. "Woman's Day" magazine suggests mixing 1 tbsp. lemon juice into 2 tbsp. plain yogurt and applying this to oily and acne-prone skin. Jenny Jones recommends mashed up bananas or avocado for dry skin. Egg whites tighten pores, while egg yolks are hydrating. Experiment with different types of masks. One caveat is to make a small amount of your mask the night before your facial and to try it on your inner arm for the amount of time that you will leave it on your face. This will allow you to monitor for any allergic reaction or irritation before placing it on your face.
Finish Your Facial
Once you have relaxed with your mask for 20 minutes or so, rinse it off with tepid water. Use a washcloth or your fingertips to massage your skin, taking care to get all of the mask off. Apply an alcohol-free toner. If you do not have a commercial toner, try mixing a small amount of witch hazel with rose water. Pat dry and moisturize with a light, water-based facial moisturizer. Apply makeup if desired, and enjoy your glowing skin.
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