How to Do a Facial at Home: Step-by-Step DIY Facial

A facial is a spa treatment that involves a variety of processes designed to help cleanse, hydrate, moisturize, and relax your face. Facials can be part of all sorts of skincare routines, some of which are specialized for dry skin, acne-prone skin, or sensitive skin. Other facials are focused on removing impurities. Estheticians perform professional facials at spas, but a growing number of people perform their own DIY facials in the comfort of their homes. While facials can be effective treatments, it’s important to practice everything in moderation. Make facials a once-a-week occurrence at most to avoid irritating your skin.

Before doing an at-home facial, determine whether your skin type is normal, dry, oily, or combination.

1. 1. Normal: In the skincare market, a “normal” skin type means that your skin is balanced and doesn’t have any uncomfortable issues. Balance is generally the goal for all skin types, but even balanced skin sometimes experiences breakouts or dullness. A proper cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing routine will usually keep things in check.
2. 2. Dry: Dry skin looks and feels rough and dull, sometimes also appearing red or flaky. If you have a dry skin type, your skin may feel tight, and you may see fine lines right after washing your face. Hydrating and protective skincare products are ideal products for this skin type, including gentle cleansers, hydrating serums, rich moisturizers, and face oils to fight flakiness.
3. 3. Oily: If your skin produces excess sebum year-round, you’re likely in the “oily” skin type group. One of the benefits of oily skin is that your skin’s natural oils protect and moisturize, naturally staving off fine lines and maintaining elasticity longer. On the downside, oily skin is acne-prone, and excess oil can easily lead to breakouts. Make sure you have a good exfoliating non-comedogenic toner or serum to keep your pores clear. The ideal skin-care products for this skin type are oil-free.
4. 4. Combination: As the name implies, combination skin has oily and dry characteristics. For example, some people have an oily T-zone—the forehead and nose—and dryness on their cheeks; others may have dehydrated skin that’s also breakout-prone. Learning the skincare requirements for every part of your face can help you address issues most optimally. For example, if you identify that your cheeks are prone to dryness, you can address this issue by moisturizing them during your daily routine.

Follow these basic steps for an at-home facial, personalizing each step as necessary.

1. 1. Create a relaxing atmosphere. A home facial is a chance for you to take care of yourself, so make it as much like a real spa as possible. Light some candles and put on a playlist of soothing music to help you relax.
2. 2. Cleanse your face. Start by removing any makeup with cleansing lotion or oil. Use warm water and a light foaming cleanser or the appropriate facial cleanser for your skin type. This step removes any excess oil, sebum, and build-up that could prevent the rest of the facial from best affecting your skin.
3. 3. Gently exfoliate your skin. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and helps even out skin tone, making it an essential step in any proper facial. If you can, use an enzyme or chemical exfoliator (such as glycolic acid) and leave it on for the recommended time listed on the bottle. Face scrubs can cause scratching on the face, potentially increasing the likelihood of breakouts. Brightening peels are another good option as they help smooth the skin texture while opening up pores. Some routines call for performing extractions during this step to remove blackheads, but this process is best left to professional estheticians and dermatologists.
4. 4. Steam your face to open your pores. Use a home face steamer tool if you have one, or boil a pot of water. Let the water reach a boiling temperature and allow it to cool slightly. Once it's steaming but not at burning temperatures, pour the water into a bowl. Place your face at least twelve inches away from the water, and cover your head, shoulders, and the bowl with a towel to direct the steam toward your face. Breathe for five minutes. There should be no pain at all during this process.
5. 5. Apply a face mask. Your pores are open and can now soak up beneficial ingredients. Pick a face mask or sheet mask that’s tailored to your skin type. If you are using a clay mask or a mask applied without a sheet, take some in your hands and work it into your skin in a circular motion. If your skin is acne-prone, a mask with tea tree essential oil might help. Make sure to remove your face mask while it’s still moist to avoid drying out your skin.
6. 6. Apply a toning treatment. Toner helps equalize and balance the skin's pH back to its natural state. Apply your toner with a cotton ball, cotton pad, or spritzer.
7. 7. Apply a hydrating serum. Depending on your skin needs and goals, use an anti-aging serum, vitamin C serum, or brightening skin serum. If you’re doing a facial as part of your bedtime routine, consider applying a night serum with hyaluronic acid for extra hydration.
8. 8. Moisturize your skin. End the facial with a good moisturizer that replenishes your skin's oils. Treat yourself to a facial massage as you apply your moisturizer, which will help improve circulation and help the moisturizer sink into your skin.

Get the MasterClass Annual Membership for exclusive access to video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Bobbi Brown, RuPaul, Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg, and more.

A facial is a spa treatment that involves a variety of processes designed to help cleanse, hydrate, moisturize, and relax your face. Facials can be part of all sorts of skincare routines, some of which are specialized for dry skin, acne-prone skin, or sensitive skin. Other facials are focused on removing impurities. Estheticians perform professional facials at spas, but a growing number of people perform their own DIY facials in the comfort of their homes. While facials can be effective treatments, it’s important to practice everything in moderation. Make facials a once-a-week occurrence at most to avoid irritating your skin.

Before doing an at-home facial, determine whether your skin type is normal, dry, oily, or combination.

1. 1. Normal: In the skincare market, a “normal” skin type means that your skin is balanced and doesn’t have any uncomfortable issues. Balance is generally the goal for all skin types, but even balanced skin sometimes experiences breakouts or dullness. A proper cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing routine will usually keep things in check.
2. 2. Dry: Dry skin looks and feels rough and dull, sometimes also appearing red or flaky. If you have a dry skin type, your skin may feel tight, and you may see fine lines right after washing your face. Hydrating and protective skincare products are ideal products for this skin type, including gentle cleansers, hydrating serums, rich moisturizers, and face oils to fight flakiness.
3. 3. Oily: If your skin produces excess sebum year-round, you’re likely in the “oily” skin type group. One of the benefits of oily skin is that your skin’s natural oils protect and moisturize, naturally staving off fine lines and maintaining elasticity longer. On the downside, oily skin is acne-prone, and excess oil can easily lead to breakouts. Make sure you have a good exfoliating non-comedogenic toner or serum to keep your pores clear. The ideal skin-care products for this skin type are oil-free.
4. 4. Combination: As the name implies, combination skin has oily and dry characteristics. For example, some people have an oily T-zone—the forehead and nose—and dryness on their cheeks; others may have dehydrated skin that’s also breakout-prone. Learning the skincare requirements for every part of your face can help you address issues most optimally. For example, if you identify that your cheeks are prone to dryness, you can address this issue by moisturizing them during your daily routine.

Follow these basic steps for an at-home facial, personalizing each step as necessary.

1. 1. Create a relaxing atmosphere. A home facial is a chance for you to take care of yourself, so make it as much like a real spa as possible. Light some candles and put on a playlist of soothing music to help you relax.
2. 2. Cleanse your face. Start by removing any makeup with cleansing lotion or oil. Use warm water and a light foaming cleanser or the appropriate facial cleanser for your skin type. This step removes any excess oil, sebum, and build-up that could prevent the rest of the facial from best affecting your skin.
3. 3. Gently exfoliate your skin. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and helps even out skin tone, making it an essential step in any proper facial. If you can, use an enzyme or chemical exfoliator (such as glycolic acid) and leave it on for the recommended time listed on the bottle. Face scrubs can cause scratching on the face, potentially increasing the likelihood of breakouts. Brightening peels are another good option as they help smooth the skin texture while opening up pores. Some routines call for performing extractions during this step to remove blackheads, but this process is best left to professional estheticians and dermatologists.
4. 4. Steam your face to open your pores. Use a home face steamer tool if you have one, or boil a pot of water. Let the water reach a boiling temperature and allow it to cool slightly. Once it's steaming but not at burning temperatures, pour the water into a bowl. Place your face at least twelve inches away from the water, and cover your head, shoulders, and the bowl with a towel to direct the steam toward your face. Breathe for five minutes. There should be no pain at all during this process.
5. 5. Apply a face mask. Your pores are open and can now soak up beneficial ingredients. Pick a face mask or sheet mask that’s tailored to your skin type. If you are using a clay mask or a mask applied without a sheet, take some in your hands and work it into your skin in a circular motion. If your skin is acne-prone, a mask with tea tree essential oil might help. Make sure to remove your face mask while it’s still moist to avoid drying out your skin.
6. 6. Apply a toning treatment. Toner helps equalize and balance the skin's pH back to its natural state. Apply your toner with a cotton ball, cotton pad, or spritzer.
7. 7. Apply a hydrating serum. Depending on your skin needs and goals, use an anti-aging serum, vitamin C serum, or brightening skin serum. If you’re doing a facial as part of your bedtime routine, consider applying a night serum with hyaluronic acid for extra hydration.
8. 8. Moisturize your skin. End the facial with a good moisturizer that replenishes your skin's oils. Treat yourself to a facial massage as you apply your moisturizer, which will help improve circulation and help the moisturizer sink into your skin.

Get the MasterClass Annual Membership for exclusive access to video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Bobbi Brown, RuPaul, Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg, and more.