How to Do a Facial at Home

Last Updated: October 14, 2022 References Approved

A good facial leaves your facial skin smooth, bright, and flushed. It's fun to get a facial at a spa, but you can get the same great results in the comfort of your home without spending any money. Start by thoroughly cleansing and exfoliating your skin, then use a steam treatment and mask to draw impurities from your pores. Finish with toner and moisturizer to help your skin look beautifully soft and refreshed.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Cleansing and Exfoliating Your Face

1
Pull your hair back from your face. Use a headband, hair band, or bobby pins to pull back your hair and bangs so your face is fully exposed. You don't want it to get in the way during your facial.
2
Wash your face with gentle cleanser. Use your favourite facial cleanser to remove make-up and wash your face. Use warm water, instead of cold or hot, since warm water is the best temperature for delicate facial skin.
- Be sure to remove all of your make-up before you continue with the facial.
- If you're in the mood to try something new, use the oil cleansing method to wash your face. Apply almond, jojoba or olive oil to your face, then wipe it away with warm water. This is an excellent way to remove make-up without damaging skin.
Advertisement
3
Use a facial scrub or another exfoliant. Dead skin cells build up on the face and leave it looking a little dull. Ex-foliating your skin to brighten it up is an essential part of any facial routine. Use your favourite facial scrub to gently rub away the dead skin. If you don't have a scrub, you can make your own. Try these simple combinations:^{[1]
X
Research source}
- 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 teaspoon milk
- 1 teaspoon ground oatmeal, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground almonds, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 teaspoon water
4
Rinse your face and pat it dry. Give your face a final rinse to remove all traces of your facial scrub. You may need to use a washcloth dipped in warm water to remove scrub from around your eyes and nose. Finish by patting your face dry with a soft towel.
5
Give yourself a facial massage. Massage increases circulation, leading to brighter, healthier skin. Now that your face is clean, give yourself a massage before moving to the next phase of your facial. Use your forefinger and middle finger to massage your face in a gentle circular motion.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Massage your forehead, starting in the middle and moving down to the temples.
- Massage your nose and cheeks.
- Massage your lips, chin, and jaw.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Purifying Your Pores

1
Do a steam treatment. Boil a small pot of water on the stove. Turn off the heat and stand over the pot with a towel draped over your head, so that the steam coming from the water will be trapped around your face. Steam your face for five minutes or so, making sure to come up for air when you need to. Steaming helps to open your pores in preparation for a facial mask, which draws out impurities.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- For a more luxurious experience, add some essential oils to the water. You'll get a steam and aromatherapy treatment in one. Try a few drops of lavender, lemongrass, rose, or grapefruit essential oil to lift your spirits.
- If you don't have essential oils, throw a few herbal tea bags into the water. Chamomile, chai and peppermint tea all have aromatic herbs.
2
Make a facial mask. Next up is a facial mask, which will draw out impurities (like dirt and dead skin) from your pores. You can buy a facial mask product from the store, but it's easy and fun to make your own at home. Try one of the following masks:^{[4]
X
Research source}
- For dry skin: mix 1 mashed banana and 1 tablespoon honey
- For medium skin: mix 1 tablespoon aloe and 1 tablespoon honey
- For oily skin: mix 1 teaspoon cosmetic clay and 1 teaspoon honey
- For any type of skin: use plain honey, which has antibacterial and moisturizing properties perfect for any skin type
3
Apply the mask for 15 minutes. Smooth it over your skin, then wait for it to do its magic. In the meantime, why not give yourself an eye treatment? Lie back and place two cool cucumber slices over your closed eyes. If you don't have cucumbers, two chilled tea bags work just as well.
4
Rinse your face and pat it dry. Use warm water to remove all traces of the facial mask. Be sure to remove the honey from around your eyes and nose, since if you leave it in place it will feel quite sticky.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Toning and Moisturizing Your Skin

1
Apply a homemade toner. Toner helps to brighten the skin and restore its balance. You can use a store-bought toner, but many products you probably have on hand at home work just as well. Try one of the following homemade toners:^{[5]
X
Research source}
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar mixed with 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon witch hazel mixed with 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon rosewater mixed with 1 tablespoon water
2
Finish with a creamy moisturizer. The final step is to apply moisturizer that suits your skin type. Moisturizer will keep your skin from drying out, preserving the results of your facial.^{[6]
X
Expert Source

Lydia Shedlofsky, DO
Dermatologist
Expert Interview. 14 May 2021.} Look for a facial moisturizer that doesn't contain alcohol, since this can cause your skin to dry out more quickly.
- If you want to use a homemade, all-natural moisturizer, try argan oil, almond oil or jojoba oil.
- Aloe is another great natural moisturizer that has healing properties as well. It's especially useful if you're recovering from a sunburn.
3
Wait a few hours before applying makeup. Wait a little while before you start your regular makeup routine to give your facial skin the chance to rest and reap the full benefits of your facial.^{[7]
X
Research source} Makeup normally contains alcohol and a wide range of chemicals, and applying it right after exfoliating your face and cleaning your pores could cause irritation.

Expert Q&A

Question

What do you need for a facial at home?

Lydia Shedlofsky, DO
Dermatologist
Dr. Lydia Shedlofsky is a Resident Dermatologist who joined Affiliated Dermatology in July of 2019 after completing a traditional rotating internship at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. After graduation, she moved to Beira, Mozambique, and worked as a research assistant and intern at a free clinic. She completed a Post-Baccalaureate program and subsequently earned a Master's Degree in Medical Education and a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Lydia Shedlofsky, DO

Dermatologist

Expert Answer

It depends on the patient skin type, lesions and goals of the facial. Discuss the situation with a board-certified Dermatologist to help determine your needs and to receive product recommendations.
Question

What are the possible side effects of doing a facial?

Lydia Shedlofsky, DO
Dermatologist
Dr. Lydia Shedlofsky is a Resident Dermatologist who joined Affiliated Dermatology in July of 2019 after completing a traditional rotating internship at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. After graduation, she moved to Beira, Mozambique, and worked as a research assistant and intern at a free clinic. She completed a Post-Baccalaureate program and subsequently earned a Master's Degree in Medical Education and a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Lydia Shedlofsky, DO

Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Side effects of using the wrong product or the incorrect frequency may be as mild as not getting the desired results with wasted monetary resources, or as intense as permanent scarring.
Question

How can I tell what type of skin I have?

Community Answer

Look at key areas on your skin. If you are prone to getting acne in your t-zone/chin, you have oily skin. If your skin is patch or flaky (easily seen when applying makeup), you probably have dry skin.