An at-home facial can be a bit of a skin game-changer, help ease stress away by taking a few moments for yourself (yes we are allowed to!) as well as giving your skin a boost. They can also extend the life of your in-clinic facials as well as when you are unable to get to see your facialist. With some guidance it can be simple to do, requires only a couple of your favourite products, possibly gadgets as well if you have any at home and it’s such a therapeutic ritual to work into your weekly routine.

So I’m sharing some of my favourite at-home facial things that can be done weekly or whenever your skin needs a pick-me-up. Follow along, step-by-step, and use whatever products you have in your bathroom – your skin (and your mood) will seriously thank you for it afterwards.

At-home facial | Step 1: Cleanse the skin

Cleansing the skin removes all traces of dirt, pollution and make-up, creating the perfect canvas for any further products and your massage. Washing with water on its own can cause the skin to become dry, but a good cleanser will remove surface dirt, bacteria, sweat and make-up to prevent the pores from becoming blocked. Use an upwards massaging action when cleansing, as this helps bring fresh blood flow to the skin surface, making us look fresher and healthier.

While too harsh a cleanser may cause dryness, choosing one that’s too rich could trigger oiliness and breakouts. If your skin feels ‘squeaky-clean’ and tight after cleansing, it’s a sign that your product might be too harsh for you. Make upward sweeping motions, working all the way from your neck, up your cheeks and towards your forehead, and remember to be really gentle around the eyes – use the index finger here in circular motions to keep the pressure really light.

At-home facial | Step 2: Facial Massage

All natural face-lifting methods have one thing in common: they rely on specific, repetitive movements to stimulate blood flow, remove toxins and release tension. Improved muscle tone supports the skin better, lifting and softening your facial contours, smoothing lines and wrinkles and boosting the overall health of your skin. Not to mention calming the mind. Use a natural oil for the massage, such as rosehip oil, jojoba oil, sunflower, almond, coconut oil, or your favourite hero oil.

(If you have acne or rosacea prone skins then this step and type of massage is not for you. you will benefit from a more lymphatic method. have a look at this )

Face lifting massage…… steps 1 – 12

1. Using the right hand make big, downward circles on the left side of the neck. Repeat on the other side using the other hand.
2. Using both hands together, massage both sides of the neck at the same time.
3. Make scissor shapes with your middle and index fingers. Place the index finger behind the ear and the middle in front. Push your hands back and forth either side of the ears and along the jaw – this supports the lymph and drainage.
4. Hold your hands out in front of your face with your fingers splayed, place your thumbs under your chin, push and drain under your jaw from the chin to the ears.
5. Keep your thumbs under your chin and make a pinch with the sides of the index fingers. Pinch and push out along the jaw. Pressing firmly, make circular moves around the mouth.
6. Concentrating on one side of the face, use alternate hands to push up, lifting the cheek. Repeat on the other side.
7. Make a fist with both hands and press your knuckles into the cheeks, just under the cheekbone. Look down to increase pressure, hold for the count of five, then glide your knuckles out to the sides. Knuckle massage your whole cheek area.
8. Using all your fingers, push up just under the brow and glide outwards.
9. Using the finger pads of both hands, firmly stretch crow’s feet. Hold each stretch for five seconds.
10. Using your middle and index fingers, stretch and hold the frown lines.
11. Still on the frown lines, firmly make a criss-cross movement. Continue crisscrossing across the whole of the forehead. Change the direction of your fingers and zig-zag up and down over the forehead.
12. Calm everything down with some gentle smoothing outward ‘prayers’. Finish by gliding alternate hands in the direction of the lymph out from under the chin to the ear and drain down the neck. Repeat on the other side.

At-home facial | Step 3: Exfoliate

Exfoliation helps remove dead and dull skin cells to create a smoother surface, and a brighter complexion, and help speed skin cell turnover. There are two main types of exfoliators: physical exfoliants have a gritty texture and contain particles that buff the skin surface and remove dead cells, whereas AHAs, BHAs and enzymes work by gently dissolving dead skin cells and sometimes the space between the cells to smooth, refresh and support the skin without scratching.

Use a cotton wool pad to sweep your exfoliating tonic over the skin, no need to press too hard, just ensure you cover your common problem areas and avoid the delicate eye area. If you’re using an AHA or BHA based exfoliator, some you leave on for a minute or two to let it get to work, the tingle is not a bad thing, its the acids doing their thing. When the time is up, simply remove with cold water on a face cloth or cotton pads. I love splashing my face with cold water after.

At-home facial | Step 4: Face Mask

Few of us take the time to apply masks, but they are so beneficial for many reasons. They are super concentrated and have different targets, depending on the type of mask, plus you can leave them on for 5 to 20 minutes and voila – healthy looking, glowing skin. Masks are a real game changer that many are missing out on, and they are an integral part of a professional facial, so it makes sense that we should take these hard-working gems into our skincare routine at home.

When looking for a mask, you need to select a couple of different masks that suit your skin. Pore-cleansing masks are great for problem or oily skin, and will usually contain clay or salicylic acid, these are not for dry and sensitive skin types. Hydrating masks contain soothing ingredients like aloe vera, plant oils, glycerin, shea butter and hyaluronic acid. Exfoliating masks usually contain jojoba beads, lactic acid or fruit acids and work best for perking up dull, dry skin. Brightening masks usually contain AHAs and vitamin C, whereas balancing masks might contain aloe vera, cucumber and honey to soothe and calm the skin. Leave the mask on while you sit back, relax, letting it do its thing.

After the time is up, remove the mask with warm water, and give your face a splash with cold water. I like to spray a tonic on my skin afterwards to leave it totally refreshed. Follow up with a hydrating serum, moisturiser and an eye cream, and you’re good to go! You can perform this type of at-home facial once a week, but it will depend on your skin type, if your sensitive or rosacea and acne prone be cautious of not over stimulating the skin, you need to skip the massage section and your product selection is essential to support your specific skins needs. Happy facials guys!

Download my free Cleansing Guide.