Facials are our number most popular spa service that we offer here at TruBliss. Not only are they incredibly relaxing, they offer so many health and beauty benefits including clearer pores, softer skin, and a glowing complexion.
There are good reasons why treating yourself to regular facial treatments with a professional are highly recommended, steps like extractions and chemical peels, are not things we should be trying at home!
However, a soothing steam followed by your favourite skin care products (mask, toner, serum and moisturizer is something you can easily do at home)
Steps 1 and 2: Cleanse and Exfoliate
Before you do anything else to your face, you need to start with a clean canvas. Any makeup or product left on your skin will result in a less effective facial.
I like to give my face a double cleanse and so I use the Stone Crop Cleansing Oil, plus my favourite Go To Cleanser, Monoi Age Corrective Cleanser. The double cleanse helps to remove any makeup, dirt, impurities and dead skin cell buildup.
I didn't start exfoliating my skin until my early 50's, and I wasn't too excited about adding something else to my regimen - but now it's my favourite step. Not only does it remove dead skin cells and leaves my skin feeling super soft, exfoliation also allows skincare products to penetrate better and helps to even out my skin tone. (I always exfoliate my skin when doing an at home facial - which is about once a month) Otherwise, I exfoliate just once a week.
Step 3: Steam, and the Benefits of doing it!
Boosts circulation. Exposure to warm steam increases perspiration, helping your skin’s blood vessels to dilate, which improves blood flow.
Hydrates and oxygenates your skin. Moist heat revives dry, tired-looking skin thanks in part to that fresh, oxygenated blood.
Loosens debris and unclogs pores. Warm steam softens the skin’s surface, which makes it easier for bacteria and dirt to exit pores.
Promotes a healthy glow. That boost in circulation beneath the skin, combined with a blast of hydration to the surface, will help you look refreshed.
Relaxing & Calming. If you use essential oils to your facial steam, it works as aromatherapy to help soothe your mind and body.
- To feel invigorated: citrus-scented essential oils
- To feel relaxed: lavender essential oils
- For the ultimate spa experience: eucalyptus oil
You don’t need a professional facial steam machine to enjoy the many benefits of this treatment. It's as simple as a metal pot or mixing bowl and following these easy steps:
STEP 1: BOIL WATER. Boil one to two quarts of water.
STEP 2: POUR THE BOILING WATER INTO A MEDIUM-SIZED METAL POT OR MIXING BOWL. Anything you already have in your kitchen should work fine; just be sure not to use a plastic container, which can release chemicals into the water when heated and may even melt.
STEP 3: ADD A FEW DROPS OF ESSENTIAL OILS. Drop them into the boiling water while stirring with a wooden spoon and let the mixture steep for a few minutes. (If you don't have essential oils, that's okay - the oils are just an extra special touch)
STEP 4: GET THE TEMPERATURE RIGHT. If the steam feels hot (it should be warm), pour in some cold water.
STEP 5: POSITION YOUR FACE SIX TO EIGHT INCHES AWAY FROM THE WATER and place the second towel over your head, creating a tent-like effect so the steam doesn’t escape. Keep in mind that the steam should feel soothing—not too hot.
STEP 6: HOLD YOUR FACE OVER THE STEAM FOR UP TO 10 MINUTES. If you have a skin condition like rosacea or even excessive dryness, five minutes or less will give you the benefits of steam without aggravating your complexion. If the facial steam doesn’t feel good or it has a negative effect on your skin, skip it altogether and ask your aesthetician to skip the steam the next time you get a spa facial.
STEP 7: GENTLY RINSE YOUR FACE WITH COOL WATER to remove any sweat and debris that’s loosened from your pores. Pat your face dry with a clean towel.
After your 5 - 10 Minute Steam...
Step 4: Add a Mask
Apply a thin layer of the mask and massage it into your face (remember the neck and décolleté!) By increasing blood circulation and oxygen flow to the facial muscles and skin, the face is less likely to fall into deep wrinkles or show signs of physical and/or emotional stress. Facial massage also encourages the development of collagen, which helps keep your skin firm and supple. Leave the mask on for about 15-20 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Step 5: Use a Toner
Toners are super refreshing, plus they help close pores and tighten cell gaps after cleansing, reducing the penetration of impurities and environmental contaminants into the skin. It can even protect and remove chlorine and minerals present in tap water.
Step 6: Moisturize & Massage
If you usually use a serum in your skincare routine, now’s the time to apply it – before the moisturizer. If you don’t – you can skip straight to the step that’s key for hydration and maintaining glowing skin: moisturizing! All skin-care routines call for moisturizing.
Apply your moisturizer around your eyes and in upward circular motions on your face. Treat yourself to a soothing face massage! Spend a few minutes rubbing all of the product in so your skin can absorb all the cream while getting a bit of circulation.
Have you noticed in facials how they massage in the moisturizer? It feels heavenly.
There’s a purpose behind those soothing facial massage motions.
Keeping the facial muscles toned and improving circulation and lymphatic flow helps prevent sagging and helps the beneficial oils penetrate the skin.
So give your face a 1- to 2-minute massage.
You can use your fingers, or a facial roller or gua sha tool, whatever you have on hand — just as long as you don't push or massage too hard.
You can also apply an eye-specific cream or serum and even a neck and décolletage cream.
If you want your neck and chest to match your face as you age, you need to take care of those areas too.
Facials are one of the most relaxing and luxurious things that you can do for yourself.
Right now, we all need to take care of ourselves and destress more than ever, and since we're in a temporary "closure" and are unable to book our facials with our favourite estheticians, it's still possible to give yourself an amazing spa facial at home!
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