During the autumn nights at home this year, I’ve revisited a beauty practice I used to love when I was a teenager: facial steaming. I would carry out elaborate DIY facials at home – often using ingredients from my mum’s fridge as ‘natural home beauty treatments’. Thankfully, these days I can afford slightly more sophisticated products!
I’m a self-confessed skincare addict and love to look after my skin; especially having had adult acne a few years ago. I’m obsessive about sticking to my evening skincare routine and going to a spa for a facial is my ultimate self-care activity. I had planned to treat myself to monthly facials to prepare for my wedding, but for obvious reasons that hasn’t been possible.
2020 has been all about focusing on what you can control, and I’ve sought solace in DIY facials. This year may be down the pan, but my skin doesn’t have to go the same way.
So, how do I keep my skin in good condition with an at-home facial routine?
My DIY Facial Method
I’ve partnered with Very.co.uk to show you how I give myself a facial at home. This is one of my favourite ways to unwind and I always feel better about myself after following these steps. I’ve found that wearing a tracksuit and scraping my hair up every day since March has negatively effected my mental health, and this routine makes me feel a bit better!
Cleansing & steaming
If I’ve been wearing makeup, the first step of my DIY facial routine is removing it with either micellar water or a facial oil and reusable cotton pads.
On a regular night, I’d then move straight onto my second cleanse but when I’ve got time to do an at-home facial, things get more rigorous. I’ve been using the Magnitone London Facial Steamer a couple of times a week – with my hair pushed back in a hairband to avoid frizzing the baby hairs at my hairline. I typically use the steamer for around 10 minutes, then let my skin settle for a few minutes before I rinse my face with clean water. From the very first use, my skin felt softer and looked clearer.
I will warn you that you can break out in spots after your first use, because the steam draws all of the impurities to the surface. But I like to think that it’s better out than in – at least while I can hide at home!
Once my skin has cooled down, I do a second cleanse with Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm. If you’re going to splash out on a luxurious cleanser, this is 100% the one to treat yourself to! It melts every trace of makeup, grime and impurities off your skin and is ultra soothing.
The best face masks to use during an at-home facial
I have a few favourite face masks that I rotate when I’m doing a facial on myself: Elemis Superfood Berry Boost Mask is one of my go-tos.
While the mask is drying, I try to stay off my phone and do something relaxing instead. I read a lot on my Kindle. Check out my Instagram highlights for all of my Kindle book reviews if you’re looking for new reads!
Tone & Treat
At this stage, I’d then apply any hard-hitting treatments – like COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid; a light exfoliant that improves skin tone and texture using 7% Glycolic Acid. I only use this once or twice a week, because I don’t want to overload my skin with strong ingredients.
I’m not loyal to any particular toner, but at the moment my daily toner is Pixi Beauty Vitamin C Tonic. It infuses skin with antioxidants while fortifying the skin’s protective barrier. I’ve tried a few products from their Vitamin C range and they’re all lovely.
Serum & Moisturiser
I’ve recently discovered Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Hydro-Mist. It’s a soothing mist spray that calms any inflammation, plumps skin and leaves a noticeable glow. The ingredients reinforce the skin’s natural defences against environmental aggressors. I use it morning and night before I apply my moisturiser. You can also use it throughout the day for an instant hit of hydration.
Next, on to eye cream, which has become a morning and night staple for me. I wish I’d known to start using it sooner! I’ve recently started using Nip + Fab in the evenings.
I tend to leave the serum to soak in for a moment, then massage in REN Clean Skincare Overnight Glow Dark Spot Sleeping Cream. My acne marks are my primary skincare concern so I’ve been trialling loads of different products that aim to fade marks, and this is among the best. Plus, it uses 94% naturally derived ingredients and a vegan formula.
I was scared of using oil on my face for a long time, but I’ve seen a huge improvement in my skin’s condition since I introduced an oil to my evening skincare routine. I like Emma Hardie Brilliance Facial Oil to seal all the goodness in.
Adding facial rolling in to your home facial will really help you see a difference the next day. Invest in a Contouring Facial Roller – it might feel a bit silly at first, but rolling your face after applying an oil helps your products penetrate into your skin and encourages lymphatic drainage and circulation. It really does work!
Final touches to the at-home spa session
You don’t have to stop with your face if you’re treating yourself to an at-home spa night. I usually do a hair mask at the same time – Garnier’s Hair Food smells fantastic, if you’re looking for a budget product.
Once I’ve jumped into bed, I apply a lip mask, then massage in L’OCCITANE Shea Butter Hand Cream and a foot cream.
As an extra little self-care act, I’ve also been rolling Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Roller Ball on my pulse points. One of my favourite things about visiting the North East’s best spas for a treatment is the essential oil scents that hang in the air, so it’s lovely to be able to replicate that aroma at home!
This post has been supported by Very in the form of gifted products in return for this content. It is not a sponsored post. Views are my own.
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