January is most definitely a month for pampering – after all the partying, indulgent foods and seasonal stress, our skin is in serious need of some TLC – but it’s also the month that your purse strings feel a little tight. Don’t worry though, you don’t have to spend money on a fancy spa treatment. Just follow these steps to give your skin a pampering treat on a budget…
Step one: Remove your makeup
If you’re wearing makeup, use a gentle cleanser or micellar water to remove it. Be as gentle as you can at this stage, as you’ll be exfoliating in the next step. We recommend using a cleansing oil to give you the added benefit of a facial massage while you remove your makeup. Rinse with warm, not hot, water.
Step two: Exfoliate
Once your face is clean, use a gentle exfoliating scrub to remove any dead skin cells. Avoid scrubs with sharp apricot kernels, as these are too harsh for a facial treatment and may exacerbate any existing skin conditions.
Step three: Warm face with a towel
Pop a kettle on to boil for step four. In the meantime, dampen a clean face flannel or hand towel under the tap, and then pop the cloth in the microwave for 20-30 seconds until warm. Make sure you use a towel or flannel rather than a muslin cloth for this stage, as muslins are too thin to retain heat. Once your towel is warm, lie back and apply the towel to your face for around 5 minutes. Not only is this relaxing, but the steam and heat from the towel will help to loosen dirt and impurities in the pores.
Step four: Steam your face
Pour the boiled water into a large bowl or your sink, and add 2 or 3 drops of essential oils to add a little aromatherapy to your facial. Lavender essential oil will work well for most skin types, or if you suffer from breakouts you may prefer to use tea tree oil for its natural antiseptic benefits. Once you’ve added your oils, lower your face over the bowl and drape a large towel over your head to trap the steam. Steam for around 5 minutes. The key word here is ‘steam’, not ‘boil’ – if you feel at any point that your face is being burned, move further away from the bowl or give yourself a break from the steam.
Step five: Apply a face mask
Pat your face dry with a soft towel, and then apply a face mask of your choice. If you have a number of skin concerns you want to address, or your skin is combination (e.g. oily around your T-zone but dry on your cheeks), then don’t be afraid to use several different masks!
Step six: Soothe your eyes
With your face mask on, apply cucumber slices over your eyes to cool the skin and reduce puffiness. Lie back and relax for 5-10 minutes.
Step seven: Rinse and moisturise
Rinse your face mask off using warm water, then pat dry with a soft towel. For an extra hit of moisture, apply a hydrating spritz or rosewater mist. Leave for a minute to allow the spray to absorb, and then follow up with a moisturiser that’s suited to your skin type.
Spa-worthy facial achieved! Why not take a look at our Build Your Own selection and build a facial box full of everything you need as a January treat to yourself?
