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| Facials are more than they appear. |
Why does your skin glow after a facial? One of two things - firstly, your skin is stimulated with products and touch. Secondly, you probably weren't aware about how dehydrated your skin may have been prior to treatment. Dehydration is a major contributor to dull looking skin, even when you drink the recommended amount of water per day. Hydration is a very hot topic on my blog because I experience TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss) very easily due to having unsubstantial oil flow (dry skin).
Step one: Cleanse using a product appropriate to your skin type and condition. Use a hot towel to remove. The heat really helps keep your skin moist and ready for the next step.
Tip: If your scrub of choice also contains AHA/BHA/enzymes, apply the scrub and allow it to sit for a few minutes prior to using gentle circular movements around your face and neck.
Step three: Add a thick layer of a hydrating moisturizer (apply like a mask), avoiding the eye area. Make sure to extend product down the neck and onto your decollete. You need to have glide.
Tip: If you have an eye cream you use regularly, apply before face cream and do the eye massage steps first.
These at home devices are not of the same calibre as professional machines, they simply vibrate and have a heating component. I have two generic ones that I bought from eBay for less than $40 each, so I don't buy the idea that a $200-$500 device would have any better results than their generic counterparts, given their build and method of operation is almost identical (according to their specifications - being an ex-electronics technician has its research perks). They do not perform professional iontophoresis, or sonophoresis, they literally just massage the skin, and mildly aid in penetration of product.
Disclaimer: Since everybody's skin is different, I cannot recommend the same products or technique as I would for mine, so definitely seek the advice of a trained skin therapist for more information on what you should be using before you proceed. If you have serious skin conditions (including acne vulgaris, pustular rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis etc), please seek professional medical advice prior to any kind of treatment.
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Step one: Cleanse using a product appropriate to your skin type and condition. Use a hot towel to remove. The heat really helps keep your skin moist and ready for the next step.
Tip: If you have eye makeup on prior to treatment, remove with a gentle micellar water and opt for a double cleanse. I like to use Swisse Micellar Makeup Remover 300mL $10.99.
Product recommendations:
Oily - Foam or gel based cleanser
Save: Amie Morning Clear Purifying Cleanser 150mL $7.99
Splurge: Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel 250mL $55.00
Combination - Foam, gel or cream based cleanser - lean towards the majority of oil flow
Save: Swisse Olive Leaf Gel Cleanser 125mL $9.99
Splurge: SKINN by Dimitri James Olive & Enzyme Cleanser 118mL $39.95
Dry - Cream, balm or oil based cleanser
Save: Natural Instinct Replenishing Cream Cleanser 125mL $9.99
Splurge: Lush Ultrabland Cleanser 45g $17.95, 100g $29.95
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Step two: Exfoliate with a gentle scrub, using circular movements. Again, use a hot towel to remove. This step ensures that any product you apply afterwards isn't just going to sit on a stack of skin cells that should have fallen off already.
Tip: If your scrub of choice also contains AHA/BHA/enzymes, apply the scrub and allow it to sit for a few minutes prior to using gentle circular movements around your face and neck.
Product recommendations:
Physical
Save: Amie New Leaf Deep Pore Exfoliating Polish 100mL $8.99
Splurge: Goldfaden MD Doctor's Scrub 100mL $110.00
Physical/Chemical Hybrid
Save: Swisse Bamboo Facial Exfoliant 125mL $9.99
Splurge: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant 74g $80.00
Chemical
Save: Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme 60pc $34.99
Step three: Add a thick layer of a hydrating moisturizer (apply like a mask), avoiding the eye area. Make sure to extend product down the neck and onto your decollete. You need to have glide.
What to look for high up in the ingredients:
* Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerine, Butylene Glycol
AND
*Dimethicone and other silicone derivatives for oily skin - gives slip without adding extra oil.
*Combination skin can swing either way depending on the majority
*Olive, Rosehip, Argan, or Sweet Almond oils for dry skin - gives slip and protects against TEWL.
Tip: If you have an eye cream you use regularly, apply before face cream and do the eye massage steps first.
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Step four: Massage your face. Literally.
1. Spread apart your fingers and move in upward sweeps onto the cheeks and chin, moving from the left side to the right side. Repeat this movement up to 4 times.
2. Using the tips of your fingers (you can use all if you like), apply slight pressure and use upward strokes, starting from your chin, along the jawline to your ears; over your lips, moving along under the cheekbone, and finally from the sides of your nose up to your temples. Repeat each movement 4 times.
3. Using your ring fingers, start in the inner corner of your eye and gently sweep out. Repeat this movement 4 times. Alternatively, you can lightly press along the lower part of your eye socket, moving outwards if your eye cream does not offer enough slip.
4. Continuing with your ring fingers, bring them up the bridge of the nose, press gently between the eyebrows, over the brows and down the temples and circle around the eyes 4 to 6 times. Do moves 3 and 4 first if you are using an eye cream.
5. Sweep your forehead outwards with two fingers in an outwards and up direction.
6. Alternatively, if you own a handheld product infusion device (one that vibrates and has heat), do the same movements using the device. Mine is dual ended for face and eye area.
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| Movements, left to right, top to bottom. 1, 2 3, 4 5, 6 |
1. Spread apart your fingers and move in upward sweeps onto the cheeks and chin, moving from the left side to the right side. Repeat this movement up to 4 times.
2. Using the tips of your fingers (you can use all if you like), apply slight pressure and use upward strokes, starting from your chin, along the jawline to your ears; over your lips, moving along under the cheekbone, and finally from the sides of your nose up to your temples. Repeat each movement 4 times.
3. Using your ring fingers, start in the inner corner of your eye and gently sweep out. Repeat this movement 4 times. Alternatively, you can lightly press along the lower part of your eye socket, moving outwards if your eye cream does not offer enough slip.
4. Continuing with your ring fingers, bring them up the bridge of the nose, press gently between the eyebrows, over the brows and down the temples and circle around the eyes 4 to 6 times. Do moves 3 and 4 first if you are using an eye cream.
5. Sweep your forehead outwards with two fingers in an outwards and up direction.
6. Alternatively, if you own a handheld product infusion device (one that vibrates and has heat), do the same movements using the device. Mine is dual ended for face and eye area.
These at home devices are not of the same calibre as professional machines, they simply vibrate and have a heating component. I have two generic ones that I bought from eBay for less than $40 each, so I don't buy the idea that a $200-$500 device would have any better results than their generic counterparts, given their build and method of operation is almost identical (according to their specifications - being an ex-electronics technician has its research perks). They do not perform professional iontophoresis, or sonophoresis, they literally just massage the skin, and mildly aid in penetration of product.
Infusion devices
Save: myChway "Red & Blue Photon Face & Eye Massage Ion Micro Current Lead In Beauty Magic Wand" $30-$50 on eBay [varies by vendor, but this is the device I have]
Splurge: Racinne Lady S Home Spa Device $299.00
And DONE! This process should take no more than 10 minutes out of your time. It is recommended to do this treatment in the evening, however, if this is done during daylight hours, remember to apply your favourite sun protection product over the top before heading outside!
Note: This article is presented as a knowledge piece. Some of the products mentioned may have been supplied as PR samples or purchased. There is no obligation to you, the reader, to purchase any products. Prices stated are correct at time of publishing. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.
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And DONE! This process should take no more than 10 minutes out of your time. It is recommended to do this treatment in the evening, however, if this is done during daylight hours, remember to apply your favourite sun protection product over the top before heading outside!
Let me know if you try this out! Any feedback or questions, please get in touch!
Note: This article is presented as a knowledge piece. Some of the products mentioned may have been supplied as PR samples or purchased. There is no obligation to you, the reader, to purchase any products. Prices stated are correct at time of publishing. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.
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