Facial beauty treatments include cleansing, exfoliation, peels, masks, steaming and moisturizing. Performed in a variety of spas and beauty centers, many of these treatments are available for you to try in the privacy of your own home. You can save money and get noticeable results with your own in-home facial treatments.
Cleanse
Prior to starting any home facial routine, cleanse your face with a gentle soap or cleanser to remove any surface oil, sweat or dirt. Look for noncomedogenic products, which have no oils in them. Wash your face gently and rinse with cool or lukewarm water.
Exfoliate
To remove dirt and oil that’s deeper in your skin, exfoliate with a loofa bar, dry brush or washcloth. Use a natural abrasive like oatmeal to give your face a gentle scrub. Unlike a dermabrasion, exfoliation is not intended to completely remove a layer of damaged skin. Gentle but thorough scrubbing will remove dead skin cells and other debris that can block pores.
Peels
You can buy a variety of chemical peels and masks for in-home use at your local pharmacy or find them in the beauty section of grocery and department stores. You can also make your own from natural food products you may already have in your kitchen.
For peels, use the acids from citrus fruits like lemons, limes, pineapples, grapes, tomatoes and oranges. Apply the juice directly to your face with your fingertips and leave on for five minutes or longer, depending on your skin’s conditions. If you are new to home peels, start with a shorter application and gauge the results. Rinse off with cool water.
Steam
To open pores naturally, use steam. You can boil a large pot of water over your stove, then place your face above the pot and cover with a towel to keep steam trapped near your face. You can try the same technique over a sink with running hot water. For more steam, run your shower with the door closed in your bathroom to create a home sauna for an all-over steam treatment. To save water and energy, turn the shower off until the steam begins to dissipate, then turn it back on to maintain the amount of steam you want.
Masks
For Masks, use dairy-based products like mayonnaise, raw milk, sour cream or yogurt, or start with items like beaten egg whites or olive oil. Mashed vegetables also make a healthy mask material. Avocado is a popular ingredient for home masks because of the amount of monunsaturated fat and Vitamin E it contains. After 10 to 15 minutes, rinse the mask with cool water.
Moisturize and Hydrate
Finish skin care regimens with a moisturizer to help keep lipids in your skin. Aloe, petroleum jelly, essential oils or commercial products made for your skin type help extend the benefits of your facial treatments. Drinking enough water every day will help keep your skin hydrated by allowing its natural lipids to maintain proper levels.
