Salon facials can expensive, depending on where you go and what products the salon uses. So if you're short on cash but in need of some pampering you can actually do it at home. The results might not be quite as good, but you'll definitely notice a difference.
This steam version will soften your skin, open your pores and make it easy to slough off dead skin cells and remove blackheads.
So how do you do it?
- Wash your face with a liquid face wash and exfoliate with a gentle scrub.
- Boil the kettle. When it's boiled, pour the water into a large basin or bowl. To make your facial a little more relaxing, you can add lavender, rosemary, chamomile or eucalyptus oils. Now cover the bowl.
- Let the water stand for 5-10 minutes. Using a towel to cover your head, hold your face over the pot - about 10 inches away, as not to burn your skin! Stay under the towel for 5-10 minutes (or as long as you can bear!). The rule of thumb here is that the smaller your pores the less time you're going to need in the steam. The steam has the effect of opening and softening pores and will make it easier to get out all those nasty blackheads. Alternatively, if you have a facial steamer, then use it instead, as its purpose built for the job.
- Wipe face with a clean, warm face cloth.
- If your skin is oily, apply a clay or mud mask and follow the directions on the pack. For dry skin, apply a moisturizing mask, again following the instructions. For combination skin, such as an oily t-zone and dry cheeks, apply the moisturizing mask to dry areas and the clay or mud mask to oily areas.
- When the time is up, rinse the mask off with cold water - this will close pores.
- Now moisturise with your regular daytime moisturiser.
- You're done!
