DIY Spa Facial

After a long, cold winter, your skin needs a little extra babying. Skip the expensive spa treatments—some use products with preservatives and artificial fragrances—and choose clean, all-natural products for a DIY treatment. Soothe, soften, and brighten in less than an hour with these seven steps:

1. Cleanse

This step is essential to remove dirt, oil and makeup. Use a moisturizing cleanser designed specifically for the face; use one for sensitive skin if your skin is fussy during facials. For oilier skin, you can use a purifying formula, or one that contains alpha hydroxy acids for gentle exfoliation. Pin up hair and gently massage cleanser into damp skin, rinse with tepid water, and pat dry.

DIY this:

Beauty Without Cruelty Facial Cleanser 3% AHA Complex

Acure Sensitive Facial Cleaner

Giovanni D:Tox System Purifying Facial Cleanser

Nourish Organic Moisturizing Cream Face cleanser

2. Steam

Steaming your face gently opens pores, loosens oil plugs, and begins to slough off dead skin cells. Fill a sink or a large bowl with boiling water, drape a towel over your head to trap steam and lean over the bowl; keep your face at least 8 inches away to avoid burning. Add a few drops of lavender, geranium, jasmine, or rose essential oil to calm and nourish skin; for oily or acne-prone skin, use tea tree or rosemary oil.

DIY this:

Aura Cacia Lavender Oil

Simplers Botanical Company Organic Geranium Rose Essential Oil

Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil

Nature’s Answer Organic Rosemary Essential Oil

3. Exfoliate

It gently removes dead skin surface cells, and also enhances the skin’s ability to absorb moisturizers, serums, and other treatments. Choose a scrub with super-fine particles made specifically for the face; body scrubs have larger particles and are too rough for skin. Apply to damp skin and gently rub in small, circular movements. Rinse with tepid water and pat dry.

DIY this:

Andalou Naturals Lemon Sugar Facial Scrub

Acure Brightening Facial Scrub

Peter Lamas Naturals Exfoliating Pumpkin Facial Scrub

Mineral Fusion Skin-Renewing Facial Scrub

4. Use a purifying mask

These deep-cleaning masks remove impurities from below the surface of the skin and are usually formulated from clay, mud, or charcoal. After exfoliating, apply a generous layer to barely damp skin, avoiding eye area. Let the mask work its magic for 10 minutes. Remove with a soft washcloth and warm water, and pat dry.

DIY this:

Yes to Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Mud Mask

Jeffrey James The Mask Whipped Raspberry Mud Mask

NOW Solutions European Clay Powder

Acure Pore Clarifying Red Clay Mask

5. Apply toner

A gentle toner helps remove any traces of exfoliating treatments or masks, and preps the skin for the next step. Use an alcohol-free version to avoid drying skin; generously moisten cotton balls with toner and gently smooth over skin, paying special attention to hairline and folds beside nose. Let dry before proceeding.

DIY this:

Derma E Firming DMAE Toner

Avalon Organics Wrinkle Therapy Perfecting Toner

Alaffia Neem & Shea Skin Recovery Toner

Thayers Natural Remedies Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner

6. Add a sheet mask

Different from a clay or exfoliating mask, sheet masks are made of cotton or fiber saturated with various serum-like treatments and individually wrapped. To use, open and unfold the sheet mask, apply to the face, and relax for 10 to 15 minutes. Carefully remove and discard. Don’t rinse after removing; the ingredients in the mask are meant to be left on the skin.

DIY this:

Andalou Naturals Lift and Firm Hydro Serum Facial Mask

Hyalogic Episilk Moisture Mask with Hyaluronic Acid

Miss Spa Hydrate Pre-Treated Facial Sheet Mask

Andalou Naturals Instant Hydration Hydro Serum Facial Mask

7. Finish up

Wrap up your DIY facial with a customized treatment for your skin. If your skin is sensitive, end with a calming serum. Or choose a serum for mature skin or a super-emollient moisturizer for dry skin. Even if you have oily skin or you’re prone to breakouts, it’s still important to end with

a moisturizer to restore and balance the skin’s moisture levels; choose an oil-free version formulated for oily skin.

DIY this:

Sibu Sea Berry Therapy Hydrating Facial Serum

Reviva Labs Ultra Rich, Ultra Light Daytime Moisturizer

Andalou Naturals Oil-Free Moisturizer Acai + Kombucha

Acure Oil Control Facial Moisturizer

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum

Supplements for Skin

Nourish skin from within with these nutrients known to boost collagen and reduce fine lines.

• Silica:This is the most abundant mineral in the body and helps build strong hair, skin, and nails. It’s found naturally in the herb horsetail and certain foods.
  Try: MegaFood Skin, Nails & Hair; Natural Factors BioSil Hair, Skin, Nails
• Collagen: Strengthens skin from within to prevent sagging.
  Try: NeoCell DermaMatrix Collagen Skin Complex; Garden of LifeMy Kind Organics Organic Plant Collagen Builder; Health Logics BioCell Collagen
• Green tea: Naturally abundant in antioxidants and detoxifiers.
  Try: Yogi Tea Skin DeTox Tea
• Hyaluronic Acid: Plumps up skin for a more youthful appearance and boosts the body’s production of collagen.
  Try: Nature’s Way Hydraplenish; Reserveage Nutrition Très Beauty 3
• HGH: Some research suggests that increased levels of human growth hormone (HGH) help smooth wrinkles.
  Try: SeroVital-hgh