How To Get Spotless Skin Naturally At Home

Pre-pandemic, many of us used our skincare routine as a time for self-care. It was five minutes at the end of a long day we could take to ourselves while removing our makeup, or the 15-minute bath on a Sunday evening when we could finally relax at home after a hectic weekend.

Even though we're now spending more time at home, it's important we still carve out that me-time. And, for those who enjoyed regular spa days or trips to the beautician, now could be the time to try your hand at giving yourself a facial at home.

This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

To bring you an easy 'how-to' guide, we asked skincare experts for their top at-home facial tips.

"It really is worth taking the time to properly set up beforehand; it should be seen as part of the ritual and the self-care process," Weleda skincare expert Elizabeth King told us.

Try to carve out some time where you'll have the bathroom to yourself or somewhere you can easily apply and remove your skincare products. Elizabeth advises avoiding areas where you'll easily be interrupted or reminded of chores that still need doing.

We love lighting a candle or setting up an oil diffuser and playing some calm music to mimic that spa-like atmosphere.

Feel Refreshed Scented 3 Wick Candle

Inner Strength Candle, £48

Aromatherapy Associates

Electronic Diffuser

The White Company

£139.00

What products do you need for a facial at home?

"I think it's more a question of what you have at home and how you can use those products better," Debbie Thomas, advanced skin and laser expert told us.

"A traditional facial used to consist of a deep cleanse, exfoliation, a massage, a mask and a finishing product like a moisturiser," Debbie said.

Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil

The Body Shop thebodyshop.com

£6.00

Age Reform Aha/Bha Exfoliating Cleanser

Murad lookfantastic.com

£38.00

Rose Face Mask

fresh cultbeauty.co.uk

£22.00

Moisturising Cream

Polaar lookfantastic.com

£36.00

As well as products that can take you through the traditional steps, you should also have some cotton pads (reusable, of course), a face cloth or muslin cloth, a stainless-steel bowl (for filling with warm water if you're not using a sink) and a hand towel, according Elizabeth.

Emma Hardie Professional Cleansing Cloths (3 Pack)

Stainless Steel Bowl

Amazon amazon.co.uk

£3.29

Thick Cotton Pads

Holland & Barrett hollandandbarrett.com

£8.00

Cotton Hand Towel

House by John Lewis johnlewis.com

£0.75

So now it's time to gather your favourite skincare products, light a candle and get ready to give your skin some TLC.

How to do a facial at home

Step one – Double cleanse

"All good facials start with a deep cleanse; you need your skin to be squeaky clean before you do the other steps," Debbie said.

Debbie suggests massaging your first cleanser into damp skin for a couple of minutes in circular motions and then rinsing it off. This will help remove any makeup or dirt on your face.

Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil

"Now for the second cleanse, and this time the skin needs to be wet. Apply a little extra cleanser than you normally would, as you want the skin to be slippery, so you can massage firmly without pulling," Debbie said.

Celebrity facialist Michaella Bolder says the second cleanse is the one that really counts during an at-home facial.

Rosa Centifolia™ Cleansing Gel

REN Clean Skincare

£22.00

Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser

Renaissance Cleansing Gel

"The second cleanse should be massaged deeply into the skin to stimulate blood circulation and awaken the muscles," Michaella told us.

Step two – Massage

There are so many facial massagers out there, from facial rollers to Gua Sha sculpting tools, but our experts suggest massaging with your hands.

"For me, using your hands to massage is always best, but be careful not to pull or tug the skin," Elizabeth warned.

Westend61 Getty Images

"Move the hands rhythmically with sweeping and circular movements," she suggested. "Always keep hands and fingers relaxed, as this helps to ensure the contact pressure is more purposeful and comfortable."

All of our experts suggest moving in upward and outward motions, as it ensures you are working with the lymphatic flow which is great for de-puffing the skin.

"Working your face using deep massage moments every day will help improve your skin and muscle tone, as well as the texture of the skin and cell health," Michaella told us. She added: "Stimulating blood circulation improves the efficacy of your products, meaning they will work harder and deliver a better result all round."

If you feel the product drying out during the massage, just add more water. After 3-5 minutes of massaging, remove the product with a wet face cloth.

"The cloth can be wiped over the face several times; it will buff the skin a little like an exfoliator," Debbie said. "You want it to lift away all product and slough off the dead skin cells. This cleansing ritual will leave the face feeling revitalised and brighter, and ready for the next steps."

Step 3 – Mask

"If you have a favourite mask, now if the perfect time to use it as the skin will soak it up," Debbie said.

Tom Merton Getty Images

If using a hydrating mask, Debbie suggests leaving it on for 15-30 minutes before rinsing off with warm water and patting dry. However, she warns: "The only thing to be cautious of with this step is using an exfoliating mask, as this may be a little too much if the cloth cleanse has already exfoliated the skin."

facial at home

Kate Somerville Wrinkle Warrior Pink Plumping Mask, £48

BUY NOW

THIRSTYMUD Hydrating Treatment

Caudalie Moisturizing Mask 75ml

Hydrating Floral Mask

Tata Harper cultbeauty.co.uk

£83.00

Step 4 – Hydrate

Next up, apply your favourite hydrating serum. We love using a hyaluronic acid serum and, according to Michaella, it's great for boosting hydration and keeping skin plump.

"Use a generous amount of serum, press it into the skin and then wait five minutes until it's settled in," Michaella said.

B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum

Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Hydration Booster 50ml

Vichy

If you want to try something a little different and extend your facial time, Debbie suggests adding a cryotherapy element to your at-home treatment by cooling your face.

"Cryo treatments are popular right now and, after deep massage and exfoliation, it's the perfect time to add in a decongesting and micro-circulation boosting freeze factor."

For a DIY cryotherapy treatment, grab an ice cube and wait a few minutes for the surface frost to dissipate.

"Massage several drops of serum into your skin and then run the ice cube over your face and around the eye area for 2-3 minutes," Debbie told us.

Westend61 Getty Images

She added: "Keep moving the ice so it isn't in contact with a patch of skin for too long. The cold will help tighten the pores, trapping the serum in."

The ice cube also helps to stimulate microcirculation, which reduces puffiness and brightens the skin. It should help reduce irritation and inflammation while boosting collagen production.

Step 5 – Moisturise

"The final step is to add a protective layer to seal in all your good work," Debbie said.

Goodboy Picture Company Getty Images

Finish off with your go-to moisturiser or an overnight sleep mask to sink into the skin while you rest.

Hydraluminous Water Surge Gel Cream

Moisture Surge 72 Hour Auto Replenishing Hydrator

Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.

httpshearstemsecurenetoptiextcraspxidji6fcfanxssxq3lgzd4nfi9frmn7aifzxrjwg7bjfdayntfm1xid6rk2bllyoercihhlq0bpyi77ujw

In need of some positivity or not able to make it to the shops? Enjoy Good Housekeeping delivered directly to your door every month! Subscribe to Good Housekeeping magazine now.

SUBSCRIBE HERE

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io