Facials are an escape for both skin and the mind at the best of times; cocooned in weighted blankets, a deep clean, a mask or two, and a massage guarantees a blissed-out mood and dewy glow. But with life as we know it (and any chance of booking into our favourite spa or salon) on hold, our stress levels may come under fire.
And that’s bad news for skin. Internal stress can crop up in the form of breakouts, sensitivity and texture, and sometimes, even the most curated daily routine won’t cut it.
“It is important to have a daily homecare routine just like brushing our teeth, but we can really improve our skin by incorporating an at-home facial twice a week” says Head of endota Wellness College, Helen Robb Lacey.
When skin needs extra attention, it’ll let you know. Robb Lacey recommends paying close attention to how skin looks and feels. When it “feels tight, we see flaking, redness or an uneven skin tone and skin looks dull,” she says and it’s your cue to do an at-home facial.
While the labour of an at-home facial can’t compare to a spa experience, making your DIY sequence into a ritual can get you back to Zen. “Listen to an uplifting song during your routine, and let everyone know your skincare routine is just for you, any questions people have can wait until afterwards” says Helen Robb Lacey.
Now, close the bathroom door, browse your top-shelf and follow along to achieve professional results with your own two hands.
Cleanse (Twice!)
Even when working from home it’s important to rid skin of excess sebum and pollution with a double cleanse. Start with an oil or balm cleanser to melt away stubborn makeup and SPF, and follow with a milk, gel or foaming cleanser to balance skin. To brighten and refine congested skin, gently apply a fine physical exfoliator in small circular motions to slough off dead skin cells.
bareMinerals Oil Obsessed Total Cleansing Oil, $48; mecca.com.au
endota New Age Deep Cleansing Cream, $50; endotaspa.com.au
Prep Skin with a Toner
Whilst skin is still damp, pat a toner into skin with a cotton pad or fingertips. “Following with a toner will increase hydration and product absorption, which will mean you will use less of your serum and moisturiser but still get amazing results” says Helen Robb Lacey. Look to an essence to quench dehydrated skin, an antioxidant-rich toner to brighten, or an AHA liquid exfoliator to balance oil production and smooth troubled skin.
Estee Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion, $150; esteelauder.com.au
Massage Puffiness and Tension Away
“Our skin needs good circulation and oxygen supply to function optimally,” says Robb Lacey. “Use upward strokes on the face to lift the skin and go against gravity.” Next, sculpt the jawline with lymphatic drainage massage, moving in outwards motions using your thumb and index finger. To carve out supermodel-worthy cheekbones, gently roll the cheeks in upward lifting strokes and run a finger along the cheekbones out towards the ears. If too many hours in front of a screen leave eyebrows furrowed, pinch along the eyebrows towards the temples to lift and open the eyes.
Face tools not only make for a luxe shelfie – Helen also recommends a jade roller to “massage the face to help improve circulation, soothe and tone the skin, and anti-age”.
Salt by Hendrix Jade Face Roller, $39.95; saltbyhendrix.com.au
Sit Back, Relax and Get Masking
Now comes the easy part – massage a face mask into skin from hairline to collarbones and take up residence on the couch for 15 minutes.
Clay or charcoal-based masks are best suited for oily and combination skin, says Robb Lacey, as “they target the pores and mop up excess oils”, while cream formulas provide hydration and plump fine lines.
Somewhere in between? “Sheet masks like endota’s Power Serum Sheet Mask are most often suitable for everyone with a focus on hydration, lifting, and firming of the skin,” says Robb Lacey.
endota New Age Power Serum Sheet Mask, $15; endotaspa.com.au
Finishing Touches
To lock in hydration and keep your skincare working overnight, finish with a targeted serum, eye cream and moisturiser.
To soften fine lines and brighten the eye, Robb Lacey gently applies “a grain of rice amount of eye cream to the bone below your eye, between your brows, and to your upper lip and smile lines using your ring fingers”. Follow with a hyaluronic acid and peptide serum and a night cream to hydrate, restore and brighten pigmentation overnight.
endota New Age Peptide 8 Hyaluronic Serum, $180; endotaspa.com.au
But if there’s one thing to leave to the professionals, it’s incorporating high powered chemical exfoliators and actives in a facial; “avoid too many AHAs, BHAs and retinol if redness and sensitivity are present” warns Robb Lacey. And on behalf of facialists across the globe, “don’t go outside after your at-home facial without SPF on”.
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