How to Give Yourself a Facial, According to an Aesthetician
Whether you’re short on time or just trying to save money, it can sometimes be hard to justify an in-office facial – especially when you’ve got a shelf full of skincare products. But while you may not have an aesthetician’s expertise or medical-grade equipment, you can still give yourself a relaxing and efficacious facial in the comfort of your own bathroom.
“As long as you’re not applying harsh actives, a simple facial is something most people can do quite easily,” says Biossance Global Education Director and aesthetician McKenzie Rose. “In fact, regular at-home facials can make a big difference in your skin’s appearance.
Step 1: Start with Grounding
“The benefits of a facial extend far beyond looking great – it’s about feeling great, too,” says McKenzie.
This is why most in-office facials begin with grounding techniques such as placing light pressure on the shoulders and occipital bone.
When giving yourself a facial at home, McKenzie recommends starting with a few deep, cleansing breaths to clear your mind, connect with your body, and bring you into a mental space for relaxation
Step 2: Double Cleanse
A clean face is essential to getting maximum benefit from your skincare products,” says McKenzie. “Double cleansing is like mopping before you sweep. You’re removing any dirt and debris so you can then actually clean the skin.”
McKenzie recommends starting with two or three pumps of Antioxidant Cleansing Oil to effortlessly dissolve makeup, SPF, pollution and debris. Massage into dry skin, beginning with the décolleté and moving up your neck to your face. Gently massage around the eyes to break down eye makeup.
Then, dampen fingertips and massage again, working the cleanser into a light milk. Repeat several times before rinsing, then move on to your second cleanse.
Leave skin damp as you mix a quarter size amount of Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser with water into your palm. Massage onto your skin to create a gentle foam, adding more water to emulsify. Your skin will instantly feel refreshed as the cleanser digs deep into pores to break down impurities while calming reddened skin.
Rinse clean and pat dry with a clean towel until just damp.
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Step 3: Balance
Toner is an essential skincare step that balances skin and prepares it to receive moisture.
“I love misting three to five sprays of our Hyaluronic Acid Facial Mist onto the face and décolleté while they’re still damp from cleansing,” says McKenzie. “The product’s multi-hyaluronic acid bonds with that little bit of water, pulling it into the skin for extra plumping and hydration.
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Step 4: Décolleté, Hand and Arm Massage
The massage step is arguably the best part of getting a facial, and there’s no need to skip it when you’re caring for your skin at home. It also boosts circulation, which is said to help with product absorption.
Start by applying two pumps of your choice of oil to your hands before massaging into your chest and shoulders.
“I recommend using 100% Squalane Oil if you’re concerned about dryness or sensitivity, or Vitamin C Rose Oil if you’re looking to brighten and boost radiance,” says McKenzie. “Both are completely weightless and absorb quickly to leave a healthy, dewy finish.”
Follow by massaging Caffeine Toning Body Cream into hands and forearms to deeply hydrate and visibly tone skin with caffeine and niacinamide.
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Step 5: Treat the Eye Area
The skin in the eye area is more delicate than the rest of the face, which warrants a targeted treatment to deliver deep hydration and protective moisture.
“Use your fingertips to apply pea-size amount of Marine Algae Eye Cream above and below the eye area,” says McKenzie. “I love how the paracress extract gives you an instant lift,” says McKenzie.
Our #1 bestselling eye cream also includes natural peptides from marine algae to improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles while multi-hyaluronic acid and sugarcane squalane lock in lasting hydration.
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Step 6: Treatment
Target your specific skin concerns with the serum step of your at home facial. Use one to two pumps of your serum of choice, massaging into your face and neck.
Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum is the ideal treatment if your concerns include dry skin, fine lines, and loss of elasticity.
Multi-hyaluronic acid and ectoin instantly plump and hydrate while copper peptides visibly firm and improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
“Its silky texture really lends itself to facial tools if you want to incorporate gua sha or a facial roller into your treatment,” says McKenzie.
Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum is the treatment to choose if you’re more concerned with preventing or improving the look of uneven pigmentation.
“People sometimes worry that Vitamin C will irritate their skin, but ours is uniquely gentle,” says McKenzie. “It’s formulated to instantly brighten and visibly firm without sensitizing skin.”
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Step 7: Protect
Lock in the benefits of your treatment step and support the moisture barrier with the right moisturizer for your skin type.
Omega Repair Cream is perfect for people with normal or dry skin, as its rich, whipped cream texture melts into the skin to support the moisture barrier for deep hydration with a radiant finish.
“Omega is great because it actually works to help your skin regulate itself by supporting the moisture barrier with bio-mimetic lipids,” says McKenzie. “The finish is light and dewy, which makes dry skin look so much healthier”
If you’re on the oily side, Probiotic Gel Moisturizer actively clarifies skin with encapsulated probiotics for visibly clearer, calmer looking skin.
“The lightweight gel texture is ideal for people with oily skin,” says McKenzie. “It delivers deep hydration without feeling heavy or greasy.”
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Step 8: Awaken, Refresh, Finish
McKenzie recommends finishing your facial with a luxurious second spritz of Hyaluronic Acid Facial Mist to end your treatment feeling refreshed and reinvigorated.
“I like to depress the pump slowly as I sweep the bottle over my face in long movements for a luxurious experience,” says McKenzie.
Finish with another round of cleansing breaths to complete your treatment.
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As a lifestyle writer and journalist, I love sharing my passion for ocean conservation and obsession with clean beauty. I’ve tried almost every trend and ingredient, and Biossance’s science-backed formulas are the only ones that consistently calm my reactive skin and make it smoother, clearer, and healthier. I’m so excited to be on this journey of skincare innovation with Biossance, and to share it with you!
