How to do a facial at home....

Its such a treat going to a salon or spa to have a facial, and if you find a good therapist its a great way to keep on top of you skin as it changes from season to season, getting advice on skincare and making sure any problems are being kept at bay. 

But if you can't get to have facials or even if you do, you should still be doing a facial routine at home to give the skin more of a treat than just the daily cleanse, tone moisturise... 

I exfoliate and use masks on my skin 1-2 times a week but every 3-4 weeks I will take the time out to do a full facial routine and I thought I would share with you the steps I take when I do this....

1. Double Cleanse

I always double cleanse on an evening anyway, I use a Micellar water to remove make up and then use an oil cleanser as my second cleanse. When I am doing my facial routine though I take this one step further. 

I use a cleansing oil as my first cleanse (after removing my make up) and then use a cleansing balm to really deep cleanse the skin and I will normally leave this on for around 5 minutes.

2. Massage

After my cleansing balm has been on the skin for around 5 minutes I spend a few minutes really massaging the skin, which basically just means that I really work the product in with lots of circular movements and sweeping motions. Be firm but without dragging or pulling the skin. This helps to stimulate and warm the skin, it will help with circulation and make the skin look brighter and fresher. I then remove the cleansing balm with a warm damp cleansing cloth.

3. Exfoliate

I don't use gritty or grainy exfoliators too much as I find they can over stimulate my skin so I tend to use chemical exfoliators in general (these are smooth exfoliators using fruit enzymes or glycolic acids for example.) But when I'm doing my full facial routine I do go for a gritty exfoliator. 

I either use the Elemis Skin Buff, Origins Modern Friction or I mix Coconut Oil with Brown Sugar. This is good as you can make it as gentle or as grainy as you like and the coconut oil leaves the skin feeling really soft.

4. Steam

After removing the exfoliator I steam my skin for around 3-5 minutes, just using boiling water and covering my head with a towel, you can add things to the water for therapeutic benefits like I have here with Lavender. 

5. Mask

Depending on what my skin is doing depends what mask I use. I think most people should have a couple of different masks for different concerns. 

I use the Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Gel Mask if my skin is looking a bit dull, the Elemis Exotic Cream Moisturising Mask if I need some hydration and the Origins Out of Trouble Mask which is good for deep cleansing and calming breakouts. 

You can also multi-mask, so if you have an oily t-zone but dry everywhere else then apply 2 different masks to the different areas. 

6. Eyes

Whilst my mask is on I also treat the eyes more intensely too. I either use the Elemis Absolute Eye Mask or Elemis Pro Collagen Hydra Gel Eye Masks to really replenish and re hydrate the delicate eye areas.

7. Complete with your normal routine

So after I have removed all the products I then apply my normal skincare routine, I would normally do this on an evening so I would apply any serums/oil, eye cream and night cream and go to bed glowing!!

This is such a pamper and a really nice treat to ensure your keeping your skin in tip top condition but also taking a little me time for yourself!

Hope you enjoy

Emma x