Facial is often viewed as a ladies-who-lunch luxury, but they should be considered necessary for overall skin health. They are a great way to deep cleanse your face without stripping it of its natural oils.
They can also address various skincare concerns, such as reducing wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, while boosting collagen production. Depending on the type of facial you choose, you can add extra services like extractions and dermaplaning to your treatment.
Cleansing is a fundamental step in every facial routine and should be done twice daily, in the morning and evening. A good face skin cleanser removes makeup, excess sebum, and pollutants that accumulate in the pores during the day. It also removes old leave-in products that may be lingering on the skin. It should be gentle and non-irritating.
Unlike bathing soap, a face skin cleanser is made to gently but thoroughly wash the face without disturbing the skin’s natural moisture barrier. There are many cleansing products to choose from; foaming gels, milks, creams, micellar water and even cleansing oils and wipes. They come in different textures to suit each skin type, but all are capable of removing dirt and impurities from the skin’s surface.
A face skin cleanser is different from a serum because it contains surfactants and other ingredients to help dissolve oily substances like sebum and cosmetics. It should be used on wet skin, applying a dime-size amount of product to the palm of your hand and then working it into the skin, paying special attention to the hairline, jawline, neck and ears. Avoid scrubbing as this can damage the outer layer of the skin and cause redness.
Oil-based face skin cleansers are great for all skin types, especially sensitive skin. The cleansers contain oils that will bind to the existing sebum and bind with the other oil and impurities that are floating around, helping to unclog pores and wash away these foreign particles. The oil will also help balance the production of sebum and hydrate your skin so it is not too dry or too oily.
Exfoliation
In addition to removing dead skin cells, exfoliating also stimulates collagen synthesis, boosting the efficacy of other skincare products. GH Beauty Lab recommends using a face exfoliant two to three times per week, depending on skin sensitivity and needs.
Physical exfoliants, like face scrubs, polishes, cleansing brushes or microdermabrasion, work by rubbing or scraping off the topmost layer of skin cells with friction. While effective, this method can be rough on skin and cause irritation.
Chemical exfoliants, meanwhile, dissolve the bond that holds dead skin cells to each other so they can easily be sloughed off. This is generally less abrasive than mechanical exfoliation and can be incorporated into your regular skin care routine using cleansers, serums and face masks that contain exfoliating ingredients such as AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid and salicylic acid) or BHAs (beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid).
Start by thoroughly cleansing the complexion with a cleanser that has exfoliating properties or an exfoliating scrub. Sweep the product over the face in circular motions, avoiding the eyes, then rinse well and pat dry with a towel. Follow with your favorite facial moisturizer or serum. Then, apply a light layer of your chosen chemical exfoliant as instructed on the label.
Toning
It’s no secret that working out your body is great for keeping you healthy and strong, but what about working out your face? You’ve probably seen articles in magazines touting facial exercises like face yoga or FaceGym as a way to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. These exercises can be helpful, but they’re also not always effective. The muscles in the face are much harder to stimulate than a bicep, which means that they require a lot of practice and dedication to see results.
A more direct approach to toning is the microcurrent facial, which is a treatment that’s been around for years and used in physical therapy for Bell’s Palsy and other conditions of facial paralysis. The microcurrent facial uses two metal prongs that communicate to administer a small current of electricity, which helps to tone and tighten muscles in the face.
The effect is not as instant as a facelift, but the effects of the microcurrent facial do become more noticeable after a series of treatments. In addition to giving your skin a natural lift, microcurrent facials increase collagen and elastin production and boost circulation. They also help skincare products penetrate the skin, making them work even better. They’re perfect for people who want to avoid surgery but who have signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines. For the best results, a monthly treatment is recommended.
Mask
Masks are thick creams or pastes made of various substances that you spread over the face and leave to set for some time in order to improve skin appearance. They may be used to remove toxins from the skin, moisturize it, or to treat specific skin issues like acne, fine lines and wrinkles, visible capillaries or dryness.
A mask is also a term that can be applied to an act or person who hides or conceals the truth, as in “to mask one’s feelings.” In film and television, actors often wear masks when portraying evil or scary characters, such as Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th series or Jigsaw Killer from Saw.
Many festivals and other cultural events include masks as part of a larger performance, such as the Commedia dell’arte, where masked characters play the roles of good and bad, or Handsome and Ugly. Masks are also a popular part of carnival and New Year celebrations.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been recommended to wear a face mask in public as a way to help slow down the spread of the virus. Despite the fact that it’s not a cure-all (physical distancing and hand washing remain essential), research shows that wearing a mask can significantly reduce the amount of virus people come into contact with.
Massage
Volumes of research prove the healing and relaxing powers of massage. Most facials include a face and neck massage to increase circulation, relax muscles, and stimulate cell renewal. This helps eliminate toxins and reduces puffiness.
Estheticians use a variety of techniques to exfoliate the skin during a facial, including scrubbing, chemical peels, mechanical scrubs, microdermabrasion, enzyme peels, ultrasonic exfoliation and bio-abrasion. This step removes dead skin cells to brighten the complexion. It also softens blackheads and whiteheads to make them easier to extract without allowing bacteria back into the pores.
Facials are an essential part of a healthy skincare regimen because they improve skin tone, fight wrinkles, and help combat dryness, aging, acne, and other telltale signs of ill health. Even those with perfect skin benefit from regular facials because they aid the body’s natural ability to self-heal and re-energize the skin.
Before your facial begins, the esthetician will ask you to fill out a personalized form that will help her get to know your specific skin care needs and goals. This is the best time to express any concerns or questions you might have. This information will help her choose the best products for your unique skin type. For example, if you have oily skin, she may recommend an antioxidant-rich serum that will help control excess oil and soften fine lines. Alternatively, she might suggest an exfoliating scrub to help reduce clogged pores and other skin flaws.
Moisturizer
Moisturizer is a skincare staple that hydrates skin, smoothes and softens it, and reduces flakiness. Moisturizers come in various forms, from light products like lotions and water-based face creams to intense hydration options like ointments and thicker creams. Different formulas suit different skin types and conditions, so it’s important to choose one that’s right for you.
The skin on your body sheds cells much more frequently than the skin on your face, so body lotions are usually thicker and richer than facial moisturizers. This is especially true of body lotions that contain fatty acids, which can help hydrate the thicker skin and prevent dryness and irritation.
Ointments and thicker creams also tend to be more effective at locking in moisture than lighter moisturizers because they have a higher oil and wax content. This is ideal for those with extremely dry skin and eczema, who benefit from the extra hydration and barrier-boosting ingredients in these formulas.
Before applying any moisturizer, it’s essential to wash the face thoroughly with a gentle cleanser that removes sweat, dirt, makeup, and other debris, as well as oil and other lingering product residue. Once the skin is clean, apply your moisturizer by dabbing it gently and massaging it in until it’s fully absorbed. Be sure to reapply moisturizer throughout the day as needed.
