I use all natural methods (no chemical peels).

The Best Time To Have A Facial?

Right After You Exercise.Why? During a cardio workout your pores naturally open to expel sweat and release toxins via sweat. Next time you happen to be in your home gym or a home workout routine; take advantage of this with an at-home facial.

Pull hair off the face and start with a large clean pot. The opening of the pot should be larger in width than your face. A pot that you would use to boil pasta in would be best. Wash your hands and face and pour about 2 cups of distilled water in the pot. You can pick up distilled water at any local drug store. A gallon usually only costs about $2.00 or less. Why distilled water? As an example, it’s sterile and pure enough to use mixing newborn baby formula. You don’t drink tap water – so why would you steam into your skin? In workshops I was invited to, for high school students enrolled in esthetics, using tap water was surprisingly common. And, a common mistake. These little things matter.

Instructions For An At-Home “Mini Facial” For Next Day Glowing Skin

Bring the 2 cups of water to a rolling boil and shut off stove. Keep your face about 12 inches from the top of the pot (use a stool to stand on if needed). Do not put your face into the pot. Also, never “tent” your face with a towel. This can actually cause your skin to burn. The steam needs to flow freely. If not, this can actually slightly burn the skin. Steam no more, and no less, then 10 minutes.

• With pores now open, gently wipe the skin with an astringent. For those who are not familiar with my product line, I use an herbal blend astringent with no alcohol.
• Moisten face with lukewarm water. Take your daily cleanser for your specific skin type and cleanse skin with a gentle circular motion for about 1 minute. Rinse.
• Any white/blackheads or pimples should now be gently extracted. The steaming process makes this easier and less damaging to the skin. If a pimple does not extract easily-do not force it as this can irritate it and possibly damage the skin. It is simply not ready to be extracted.
• Wipe skin again with the astringent and use an exfoliating cleanser with natural AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) on moist face. Exfoliate with gentle circular motion for 2 minutes. Rinse skin with lukewarm water.
• Gently pat dry skin. This is when you will apply a masque. I use a camphor based masque that purges skin of toxins on all of my clients. If they are not acne prone, this masque is used on them only once a month during facial. Leave on for about 10-15 minutes. (Note: If using a masque that is mass produced you should do a gentle cleanse to remove any residue that may be left behind from masque.) During this time, you may want to lie down and put relaxing music on. Normally, this is when the facialist would be massaging your arms and feet. Take deep relaxing breaths as you would during meditation or yoga during masquing. If you are applying any type of body lotions to your skin make sure you wash your hands before touching your face. Do not transfer body lotions to your face.
• After masquing time, sit up slowly and remove masque with a moist cotton washcloth. Rinse skin by splashing distilled water on face. The distilled water should be at room temperature.
• Take a clean cotton wash cloth and dampen it with cool water. Lay down and cover your face with this and apply gentle pressure. Leave on for about 5 minutes. This will help to close pores.
• Lastly, apply anti-aging treatment and moisturizer. If heading outdoors, use a sunscreen that does not clog pores.

Note:
After a facial, you should not apply any type of make-up foundation for 24 hours.
Give yourself a facial 48 hours before any “special occasion”. More so if you are a newbie at home facials, as your skin may need time to react to the facial.

Some Major Bugaboos

“My skin was red and dry after I gave myself a facial”. You steamed too long or your face was too close to the steam.
“I broke out with blemishes after my facial”. You didn’t steam long enough or extract the white/blackheads.
“My skin still looked dull”.You didn’t exfoliate long enough.

Conclusion

Once you practice giving yourself at home facials they can really benefit your skin. Try not to go longer than 4-6 weeks between facials. No longer than 4 weeks if your skin is oily or acne prone.
Unfortunately, beautiful skin doesn’t come shrink wrapped. By following a healthy skin care regimen with effort towards home facials or professional facials you will no doubt notice a difference in your skin’s appearance.