Facial Tips: 10 Things You Should Absolutely Do After Your Facial

When you emerge from the spa after a rejuvenating facial, you may feel like you have new skin. After an hour of pampering, your skin will look refreshed and radiant. But as the scent of essential oils and the soothing atmosphere of the spa fade into memory, your job at home begins: post-treatment care to prolong your new glow.

Read on to learn some expert tips for 10 facials to ensure your new glow is long-lasting and suitable for daily use. Whether you’re a seasoned spa goer or considering your first facial, here’s how to make the most of the experience.

What is the purpose of a facial?

There are many different types of facials, but the overall goal is to promote and maintain healthy, radiant, and rejuvenated skin. This includes exfoliation, extractions, moisturizing, and more. Treatments should be tailored to your specific skin care needs, whether you suffer from acne, dull skin, signs of aging, or other issues. Here are some of the main components of a standard facial:

Deep cleansing: A facial begins by thoroughly cleansing the skin to remove dirt and makeup. This step helps open the pores and prepare the skin for subsequent treatments.

Exfoliation: A gentle exfoliation process removes dead skin cells from the surface. This not only improves skin texture but also aids in the absorption of skincare products.

Extractions: If necessary, the esthetician can perform extractions to remove blackheads or whiteheads. This step helps prevent breakouts and improve the overall appearance of the skin.

Moisturizing: Different facials may include masks, serums, or lotions with specific ingredients for individual skin types and concerns. These products provide moisture, antioxidants, and important nutrients to the skin.

Facial massage: Facial massage is not only relaxing but also helps reduce stress. It also helps improve blood circulation and lymphatic drainage.

Skin analysis: A skin care professional can assess a client’s skin during a facial and provide customized recommendations for at-home skin care routines and products.

Anti-aging benefits: Some facials focus on reducing signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, through specialized treatments such as collagen masks or lasers.

When should you treat yourself?

Facials are suitable for all skin types at any time of day. However, you may want to schedule them for the late afternoon to allow serums to penetrate your skin overnight. If your skin is oily or sensitive, be sure to ask your esthetician to use ingredients that are suitable for your skin type.

While there are no hard and fast rules for how often you should get a facial, most experts agree that once a month is enough for a standard facial. If you opt for more complex treatments such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, etc., you should consult an esthetician or dermatologist based on your skin type.

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10 Top Tips for Post-Facial

To prolong the effects of your facial and maintain your post-treatment glow, follow these 10 facial tips.

1. Cleanse and Moisturize

After your facial, you should continue your skin care routine by cleansing your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser. Follow with a moisturizer appropriate for your skin type. This will help maintain the results of the facial and keep your skin hydrated. For extra hydration, we recommend using products containing hyaluronic acid, a natural humectant that attracts and locks in moisture to the skin, boosting moisture levels and enhancing the skin’s ability to retain moisture.

Foundation Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Lotion improves the skin barrier while moisturizing. It also contains additional anti-inflammatory ingredients like shea butter and chamomile extract to minimize redness or irritation. Plus, this product pairs well with other skincare products, like Foundation Skincare’s Vitamin C Lotion, which provides anti-aging properties and protection from harmful UV rays.

2. Avoid Sun Exposure

Speaking of harmful UV rays, you should always protect your skin from the sun, especially after a facial. Avoid direct sunlight for a few days after your treatment. If you must go outside, make a habit of sun protection, like applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 (preferably 50+) and wearing a wide-brimmed hat. If you already struggle with sun damage like hyperpigmentation or premature aging, try incorporating targeted products like niacinamide and azelaic acid into your routine. These products may be able to reverse the signs of sun damage.

Foundation Skincare Niacinamide Lotion 10% delivers a high concentration of active ingredients that are enough to fade dark spots and brighten your complexion by reducing melanin deposition and improving DNA repair. Niacinamide also boosts collagen and keratin production, which can reduce fine lines and wrinkles and tighten sagging skin.

Pair FS Niacinamide Lotion with Azelaic Acid 14% Foundation Cream, which has the highest percentage of OTC products on the market, but is gentle enough to be used on even the most sensitive skin. Not only does it enhance niacinamide’s ability to reduce premature signs of aging, it also minimizes hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase. 1

3. Retain Moisture

While hyaluronic acid does a great job of retaining moisture on the outside of your skin, don’t forget to retain moisture on the inside, too. Moisture is important for maintaining your skin’s elasticity and radiance. It also helps your body flush out toxins and improves blood circulation, leading to clearer skin.

4. Avoid makeup (if possible)

If you can, go makeup-free and wear no makeup after a facial. This allows your skin to breathe and recover. After steaming and cleansing, your pores may still be open and fragile, so makeup could cause irritation, clogging, or future breakouts.

5. Avoid irritating products

In addition to avoiding makeup, you should also try to avoid irritating products that can irritate your skin. These include home exfoliants and salicylic acid cleansers or toners. You should also avoid masks that may contain acne-drying or skin-lightening ingredients. It is not uncommon for skin to be sensitive after a facial, and these types of products may cause redness and discomfort. Be sure to ask your esthetician for advice on what to avoid.

6. Gentle skin-care routine

Always follow a gentle skin-care routine after a facial. In addition to a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and moisturizer, be sure to use warm (not hot) water and pat your skin dry. When layering skincare products, be careful not to conflict with each other’s ingredients. Remember that all products in the foundation skincare line can be safely layered.

7. Limit physical activity

Physical activity is undoubtedly important for your overall health. But try not to overdo it after a facial. Vigorous exercise (and hot yoga!) can lead to excessive sweating, which can irritate your skin or clog your pores. Sweating can also remove any serums your aesthetician applied during your facial.

8. Protect your skin

We mentioned that you should use sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage, but with so many options out there, do you know how to choose the right one? Follow these tips to make your decision easier:

Use a sunscreen with SPF 30+ (preferably 50+)

Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect against both UVA and UVB rays

Look for a hybrid sunscreen that contains both mineral and chemical compounds

When using sunscreen, always consider less visible areas like your neck and ears. Also, don’t forget to protect your lips with a lip balm or lip balm with SPF 30 or higher.

9. Avoid steam baths and saunas

Even if your facial has some steam in it, you should avoid direct heat on your skin afterwards, as this can cause swelling and redness on sensitive skin. Steam rooms and saunas can also make you sweat, which can lead to those clogged pores we mentioned earlier.

10. Follow-up Appointments and Treatments

Before you leave the spa, talk to your aesthetician about when to schedule your next facial. Getting regular facials can help keep your skin healthy, but an effective at-home routine can help, too. Whether you’re battling acne, premature aging, or hyperpigmentation, be sure to incorporate ingredients that target your specific concerns into your routine.

Benefits of Regular Facials

A monthly facial isn’t just good for your skin, it’s also good for your mental health. One study found that hour-long facials relaxed subjects’ brains, hearts, breathing, and muscles, and produced positive emotions. 2 These benefits are in addition to the obvious physical benefits for the skin:

Clearer skin

Fewer signs of aging

Peeling

More even skin tone

Free pores

More hydrated

Radiant complexion

Expert advice on skin care

Remember that everyone has unique skin. So it’s important to follow your aesthetician’s instructions for aftercare tailored to your specific needs. Proper aftercare will ensure that the effectiveness of your facial is maximized, resulting in healthier, brighter skin over time.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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