I’m gonna be real honest with you: There are definitely nights when I don’t do my full skincare routine. I know, it’s not great for my poor skin—but I do make time once a week to give my face the TLC it deserves. On Sunday night, I press play on my “Chill Hits” Spotify playlist, light a few scented candles, and give myself a facial at home. Not only is it a necessary pick-me-up for my face, but it also helps me feel a little calmer, especially after a stressful week. If you’re down to turn your home into a day spa, keep reading for tips I picked up from Shani Darden, celebrity esthetician who works with all of your faves, including Jessica Alba and Chrissy Teigen. Translation: You’re in good hands.
If you’re not already double-cleansing your skin, WYED?? This is extra important, especially if you want to start off your at-home facial with a clean canvas. First, massage a cleansing oil into your skin to gently break down and dissolve any makeup, oil, or grime. Then, Darden recommends using a gentle, water-based cleanser that’ll get your face squeaky clean without stripping it dry. P.S. Take a full 60-seconds to cleanse your skin with your fingers. Not only is it more ~relaxing~ but it also makes sure that there’s no buildup left behind on your face.
Now it’s time to steam your face. There are sooo many benefits to heating up your skin: It helps to soften all the gunk inside your pores, making it easier to unclog your pores. Plus, steaming your face makes your skin super-receptive to serums and moisturizers, taking your regular ol’ routine to the next level. You can use a facial steamer—like one of the options below—or you can hover your face over a bowl of hot water.
Next up: exfoliation (aka the secret to smooth, dewy-AF skin). Make sure you’re using a chemical exfoliant—an alpha or beta hydroxy acid—to help remove dead skin cells and clear out your pores, smoothing out your skin’s texture. Physical exfoliants—those gritty scrubs—can actually cause damage to your skin’s barrier (the top protective layer of skin), so try to stay away from them, especially if you’ve got sensitive skin.
After you exfoliate, show your skin some love by smoothing on a super-rich mask. Darden recommends grabbing a deeply hydrating one to plump up your skin, but TBH, you can pick a mask that best fits your skin’s needs. For example, if you’re dealing with dullness, opt for a vitamin C mask. Want something with detoxifying ingredients? Grab a charcoal or clay mask.
Once you rinse off your mask, follow up with a serum (or serums). Because they deliver super-concentrated ingredients straight to your skin, serums are probably one of the most potent products you can use to target your specific skincare needs. I usually smooth on a hyaluronic acid serum followed by a vitamin C serum, to plump, hydrate, and even out my skin tone.
This step isn’t 100 percent necessary, but IMO, it’s a nice addition. You can grab a face roller to really massage in your serums—it feels nice and cooling, and according to derms, it can even “reduce puffiness and swelling temporarily.” If you want something a little more intense, Darden recommends using an at-home microcurrent device to help temporarily tone, tighten, and lift your skin.
Last, but definitely not least, seal in all the good stuff you just put on your face with a coat of moisturizer. You can finish off with a lightweight moisturizer or a thick, rich cream—whatever works best for your skin type and concerns.
Yup, that’s it! Now, schedule in your at-home spa day, sit back and relax, and prepare to feel zen AF. Might I suggest pairing it with a glass of wine?