At Home Facial

Simple Steps for Your At-Home Facial

There are seven simple steps for you to follow in order to have a luxurious at-home facial.

1. Cleanse your skin of impurities.
2. Exfoliate dead skin cells.
3. Steam open those pores.
4. Extract impurities from your pores.
5. Apply a mask to purify your skin.
6. Use a toner to balance your skin.
7. Moisturize your skin to help prevent aging.

Get a headband and pull your hair out of your face. Now follow these steps to a new you.

Cleanse

First you need to cleanse your face of any makeup and the dirt and grime of the day. If you have oily skin use a gel cleanser like Lancome's Pure Focus Cleansing gel or Clinique's Wash Away Gel Cleanser.

If your skin is dry use a milky cleanser. Products like Anew Ultra Cream Cleanser from Avon or Galatee Confort milky cream cleanser from Lancome will cleanse your skin without drying.

Exfoliate

Use a gentle exfoliant with microbeads. Natural exfoliants like crushed apricot seeds can scratch and damage the skin. An excellent exfoliant is Hydroderm's Microbead Exfoliant. Apply your exfoliant with a gentle, circular motion and rinse with warm water.

• You can make your own exfoliant with sugar, salt or baking soda and a little water or almond oil. Just be sure you are gentle so that you don't damage your skin.

Steam

For this step, boil purified water and pour it into a large bowl. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, or a teaspoon of chamomile leaves to the hot water. Allow the water to cool a bit. Now tent a towel over your head and lower your face toward the steam over the bowl. Allow steam to open your pores for about five to ten minutes, being careful not to burn your face. You can also use a facial steamer that you purchase instead of a bowl.

Extract

This is usually a step reserved for professional facials and you can skip this step for your at-home facial. If you decide to include this step be sure you are very gentle. You don't want to damage your skin or cause infection. Extracting is usually done with an extraction tool like the Stainless Steel Blackhead Remover from Revlon. Use gentle but firm pressure to remove the impurities in your pores. Another option is to use Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips. Either of these products will remove blackheads and leave your pores clean.

Mask

Use a mask designed for your skin type. Avoid the peel off type of mask as it can damage your skin. Do not apply a mask around your eyes because the skin is too delicate. Mary Kay has several masks to choose from. Elizabeth Arden Skin Care also has a wonderful mask called Ceramide that you will love.

• Make your own mask by putting one large peeled and pitted avocado in a blender with about a tablespoon of honey. Gently pat the mixture over your face avoiding the eye area. Place chamomile tea bags over your eyes. Relax for 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water.

Tone

After cleansing some people feel it is important to tone your skin to return it to the proper pH. If you have oily skin you can try Witch Hazel. Mary Kay also carries Hydrating Freshener for dry skin or Purifying Freshener for oily skin.

Moisturize

Finally, it is time to use your favorite moisturizer. Timewise Balancing moisturizer from Mary Kay is a favorite because it is so light you will never know it is there. Moisturize your face and neck.

Now look in the mirror at your beautiful, glowing face. If you follow these steps once a week you will not only calm and enhance your skin, but your spirit as well. What better reason is there to enjoy an at-home facial?