Want the experience of a facial without the economic or environmental price tag? Treat yourself to a DIY facial at home with our step-by-step guide.
Much like with massages, facials are often considered an indulgent luxury – one that few of us can justify investing in on a regular basis. But the fact of the matter is, our skin needs a lot more TLC than we often give it, especially through the changing seasons.
But before your purse strings panic, there are plenty of DIY and natural ways to help keep the dermatologist at bay, and have the added benefit of giving you some sacred weekly me-time.
Step One: Take Off Your Face
Any facial is effectively pointless if you’re doing it on unclean skin, so removing your makeup is a must first step. And no, leaving your mascara on for your snapchat selfie is not a thing!
If you’re after ways to remove your makeup sustainably, Rebecca Jeffreys is full of make-up removing wisdom.
Step Two: Cleanse Away Your Skin Sins
Your skin puts up with a lot from you – make-up, pollution, alcohol, etc. – so be a good friend to it and be thorough when you cleanse.
A daily routine that won’t dry out your skin but will ensure a deep cleanse is to combine a natural cleanser, such as the Pai Camellia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, and a Foreo Luna. The Luna products are waterproof and made of silicone, so they won’t absorb/ steal any of your precious cleanser.
How to: Apply your cleanser onto damp skin, and then use the Foreo in slow circular motions across your face (it will vibrate when you need to move to a new section).
Step Three: Exfoliation Station
As we get older, our skin renewal process slows down dramatically – babies have that exquisitely soft skin because they naturally replace their skin cells every few days. To make up for what we eventually lack in skin-renewal process, we exfoliate; because it helps reduce fine lines, and stops our complexions looking dull and lifeless by removing dead skin cells.
So get scrubbing.
If you’re really getting into the DIY swing of things, try our Coconut Oil & Coffee scrub recipe for an easy, natural and cost-effective way to exfoliate
Or try the Josh Rosebrook Active Enzyme Exfoliator, a favourite of Liz McCarthy.
(MORE: NATURAL BEAUTY HEROES)
Step Four: Cleanse Again My Friends
You don’t want to leave any exfoliator sat on your skin, so make sure your skin is completely free of any residual product by doing another cleanse – cleanser and hands will suffice for this round.
Step Five: Mask Task
Sheet masks are a superb way to give your skin an instant moisture injection, but they are often extremely bad for the environment as they are generally single-use, non-biodegradable (thanks to the chemicals they are soaked in) and come wrapped in plastic packaging. But fear not, I am not about to inform you you must forgo your sheet mask addiction. Instead you can try the simple, eco-friendly, and uber satisfying option of making your own.
Taking a clean organic cotton muslin cloth; cut eye, mouth and nose holes into it and then drench in your favourite moisturising serum. And voila, a sheet mask that you can rinse and reuse over and over again.
TOP TIP:
Squeeze any leftover product and rub it into your hands and feet. This gives them some moisture and TLC too, plus it has the added benefit of preventing you from doing anything else for the 15 – 20 mins your mask is on, so you can make the most of some always needed me-time, without being glued to your phone.
(MORE: HOW TO BREAK UP WITH YOUR PHONE)
Step Six: And We’re Rolling, Rolling…
A rose quartz or jade roller is one of those life changing products that once you start using, you’ll be unsure of how your face ever got by without it.
Now that you’re settled somewhere comfortable with your beautifully clean skin and sheet mask in place, it’s time to give this baby the stage with a detoxifying facial massage. Using a medium firm pressure, roll across your face in slow deliberate movements, starting at the centre – using the smaller end of the roller for the delicate eye areas.
If you notice a constant need to swallow – you’re doing it right.
Why you say? Well, it feels wonderful. But if you’re after a slightly more technical answer than that, using a roller:
- Calms inflammation
- Improves skin tone, elasticity and blood circulation
- Reduces wrinkles, dark eye circles & puffiness in the face, especially the under-eye area (hello morning after the night before)
- Stimulates detoxification
- Stimulates lymphatic drainage
- Enhances product penetration
TOP TIP: Keep it in the fridge, or put in the freezer 20 minutes before you need it – this will amplify the de-puffing of your skin.
Using a roller is a step you can also add to your daily routine too. A quick roller massage when you wake up and before you go to bed is a great habit to get in to, and really helps make you look awake when you have an 8am breakfast meeting!
If you don’t have a roller; and are still debating whether to get one (spoiler alert: you should definitely get one), try Danielle Copperman‘s self massage technique, which only requires your own hands to get the job done.
Step Seven: Rise and Rinse
Time to drag yourself away from your zen-like set up. Wet a fresh, clean muslin cloth was warm water and remove the excess product that your skin hasn’t soaked up.
Step Eight: Tone It Up
Toning is essential for pore reduction and achieving that heavenly youthful complexion we all lust after, so be sure not to skip this step. We love Tata Harper’s Hydrating Floral Essence moisture boosting toner.
and the Yüli Cocoon Elixir
For more natural facial serums and oils, see Sjaniël Turrell‘s guide.
ADDITIONAL STEP: Care For Your Hair
And if you really want to go all out on the self luxury – and so you should – try the Act+Acre Scalp Detox at the same time and leave on overnight for a visibly rejuvenated and healthier scalp; wash out in the morning with the Hair cleanse and leave the conditioner in for at least 5 mins.
But beware, your face, neck, hands, feet and hair will be so deliciously soft and smooth that you may end up fancying yourself a little more than your IG story watchers need to be aware of #SelfieGate – then again, looking that good, who the heck cares?!
For more DIY beauty, see our Self Care Sunday Recipes and Venetia Falconer‘s guide to whitening your teeth at home, naturally.
See our guide on how to remove your make-up more sustainably.
Read Sjaniël Turrell‘s 5 Best Facial Oils and Serums for the Changing Season