8 Steps to the Perfect At-Home Facial

Health Line

19-05-2025

At-home facials may suit those who prefer the comfort of their own homes to relax and unwind while treating their skin. Learn what experts recommend including in your facial routine.
Treating yourself to a facial is one of life's little luxuries. But if you don't fancy a trip to the spa or prefer a cheaper alternative, an at-home facial could be the perfect option for you.
A multitude of skin care products and devices on the market make taking facial steps at home a walk in the park.
Nighttime is a great time to start. 'During the day, skin is in a more protective mode, but at night, skin is more relaxed and starting repair mode, so it can readily accept extra love,' says Renée Rouleau, celebrity aesthetician and founder of her eponymous skin care line.
Here's how you can treat yourself to a DIY facial.
Whether it's a tried-and-true skin care regimen, how often you wash your hair, or the cosmetics you're curious about, beauty is personal.
That's why we rely on a diverse group of writers, educators, and other experts to share their tips on everything from the way product application varies to the best sheet mask for your individual needs.
We only recommend something we genuinely love, so if you see a shop link to a specific product or brand, know that it's been thoroughly researched by our team.
Step 1: Cleanse
In order to maximize every step, the idea is to start with a clean slate. The general rule is that if you're wearing makeup, you should use a cleansing lotion or oil first. Then, you cleanse again with a lightly foaming gel or exfoliating cleanser to remove residue.
'The emollients used in makeup are removed more effectively with other emollients,' says Rouleau.
Start by massaging the lotion or oil on dry skin first. Then, wet your fingertips and massage it through a second time.
To rinse, Jennifer Swisher, aesthetician at SkinCeuticals SkinLab by Dr. Roth in Texas, recommends using a microfiber washcloth to provide lifting action and make sure it all comes off.
Next, cleanse again with a sulfate-free, low-foaming gel with nourishing components. These components won't dry your skin out.
'Your skin barrier is genetically coded to produce a certain amount of oil. If you fully strip that off, you're sending the wrong message to your skin to produce more oil, and that's when you create imbalances in your skin,' says Stevie McCord, esthetician and founder of Urban Alchemy Lab in Texas.
If you have oily skin, you may want to opt for a cleanser that helps remove excess oil.
For dry skin, you'll want something that cleans without stripping the skin.
And for normal skin, a cleanser that gently exfoliates while removing oil and dirt can be useful.
Step 2: Exfoliate
Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, and it helps make sure the rest of the products you apply are properly absorbed.
There are a few different types of exfoliators:
Physical exfoliators include products such as facial scrubs, at-home microdermabrasion tools, or derma-planing blades.
Chemical exfoliators refer to acids, like lactic or glycolic, which help dissolve dead skin cells.
For the ideal at-home facial, Rouleau recommends using both physical and chemical exfoliators, starting first with an acid exfoliator.
After leaving it on for 10 minutes or so, she recommends following it up with a physical scrub 'to make sure you actually remove the dead skin cells.'
You can also just do one or the other, depending on your skin type.
'Someone with oilier skin can get away with exfoliating four or five times per week,' says McCord. 'Someone with drier skin should exfoliate much less, about once a week.'
Step 3: Steam
Now that you're working with freshly exfoliated skin, you can steam with an at-home steamer.
Steaming offers several benefits.
'It heats up the internal temperature of the skin and slightly dilates the pores. This makes the hardened oils in the pores (aka blackheads) melt a little, making extractions easier to perform,' says Rouleau. 'It also increases blood flow to the skin, and it is very hydrating because it brings a lot of moisture to the skin.'
That said, if you steam, it's important to quickly follow up with moisturizing products, like a mask or an extraction (more on that below).
'You never want to leave skin bare after steaming because it will get tight and you will lose all that moisture,' adds Rouleau.
Steaming might not be suitable for those with skin problems, like melasma. If you're unsure whether steaming is the best step for your skin, consult a dermatologist.
If you're steaming at home, only do it for 5 to 10 minutes. Any longer than that and you risk dehydration.
Step 4: Extract
If you're considering extracting your own blackheads, it's important to do it correctly to prevent damage to your skin and pores.
Directions
If you're using an extractor tool, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
If using your fingers, wash your hands thoroughly.
Wrap your fingers in tissue or toilet paper.
Place your fingers around the comedo, and squeeze once.
Change your positioning to prevent marking up your skin or causing inflammation, and squeeze a second time.
If nothing comes out, move on.
Dab with a topical acne treatment.
Step 5: Mask
There are several kinds of masks, including:
Gel. Gel masks are cooling and calming to the skin and good for all skin types — especially those with redness and rosacea.
Clay. Clay masks are especially good for oily skin and clogged pores. The clay helps draw out impurities from the skin. 'If it dries and cracks into a million pieces, it means the mask is too strong,' says Rouleau. 'Look for a hydrating mask infused with ingredients that are nourishing for the skin.'
Cream. Cream masks usually have a heavy consistency. They're great for drier skin types that need more lipids, oils, and nourishing components.
Sheet masks. Sheet masks are typically gel, infused with water-based hydration. These masks are also great for dry skin types.
You can also DIY a great mask at home with ingredients like yogurt, honey, oatmeal, avocado, and papaya.
The perfect mask for you depends on your skin type. But no matter which type you reach for, leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes, then remove with a damp washcloth.
Step 6: Treat
Serums are great targeted treatments for specific skin concerns, like wrinkles and pigmentation. Serums contain active ingredients like niacinamide, antioxidants, peptides, vitamins A, C, and E, and even topical retinols.
For pigmentation issues, opt for a vitamin C serum.
For dry, red, or flaky skin, try a serum with peptides and niacinamide.
If you have wrinkles you'd like to target, retinols or phyto-retinols may be able to help.
Step 7: Moisturize
Following a serum, apply a good layer of your favorite moisturizer to lock it all in.
If your skin is oily, you can opt for a lightweight lotion. If your skin is dry, you might want to try a heavier cream for more moisture
Step 8: Massage
Including a little massage into your facial not only feels great, but it also helps to increase circulation and lymphatic drainage. This can result in a dewy, de-puffed complexion.
It may also reduce dullness and skin irritation, according to Swisher.
If you want to use your fingers, you can. But you may also want to use a roller and a nice facial oil for a final flourish (think of it as a topcoat for your moisturizer).
'Work from the middle out, and always go upward in motion,' says McCord. 'If you're going to work around the eyes, you need to make sure you have enough product around them. You certainly don't want to tug that area, since the tissue around the eyes is a lot thinner.'
If your skin is on the oilier side, you may be wary about using an oil on top of your moisturizer, but McCord recommends it 'because it actually helps to balance out [your] sebum production.'
For oily skin, McCord recommends jojoba or sesame oil, while coconut, borage, rosehip, or avocado oil are great options for those with dry skin. If your skin is a little in between? You can never go wrong with frankincense or marula oil.
Last but not least, dab on a little eye cream around the eyes.