8 Steps to the Perfect At-Home Facial

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, like Farmacy Clean Bee Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser, which helps remove excess oil.

For dry skin, the Renée Rouleau Vitamin-Infused Cleansing Emulsion cleans without stripping the skin.

And for normal skin, CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser gently exfoliates while removing oil and dirt.

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 (try the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask)

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.” Try the Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser or SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub.

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.”

Now that you’re working with freshly exfoliated skin, you can steam with an at-home steamer, such as the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Pro Facial Steamer or LONOVE Nano Ionic Facial 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 being said, if you steam, it’s important that you 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 5–10 minutes. Any longer than that and you risk dehydration.

If you’re considering extracting your own blackheads, it’s important to do it correctly to prevent damage to your skin and pores.

There are several kinds of masks, including:

• Gel. Gel masks, like the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask, are cooling and calming to the skin and good for all skin types — especially those with redness and rosacea.

• Clay. Clay masks, like the Origins Original Skin Retexturing Mask with Rose Clay, 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, like the FAB Pharma Arnica Relief & Rescue Mask, are usually a heavy consistency. They’re great for drier skin types that need more lipids, oils, and nourishing components.

• Sheet masks. Sheet masks, like Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mask, 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 10–20 minutes, then remove with a damp washcloth.

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 like the Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum.

For dry, red, or flaky skin, try a serum with peptides and niacinamide, like the Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate.

As for wrinkles, those are best targeted with retinols or phyto-retinols, like the Biossance Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum.

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, like the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion.

If your skin is dry, you might try a heavier cream, like the Sunday Riley ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream or Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream.

Incorporating 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, this is also a great opportunity to dust off your Herbivore Jade Facial Roller or DEOYOKA Rose Quartz Gua Sha Tool and pair it with 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, like the Fresh Crème Ancienne Eye Cream, around the eyes.

With the right products and the right steps in the right order, you can give yourself a luxurious spa-quality facial at home.

Mellanie Perez is an editor on the wellness team at Healthline. When not covering all things health, beauty, and wellness, she can be found making pizzas from scratch, trying a new workout routine, reading fiction novels, discovering new songs on Spotify, and traveling the world. A native of Puerto Rico, she sashays through life, humming salsa songs under her breath and battling the most incessant need to stand up and twirl.