Since my Melasma diagnosis, I have been doing a great deal of research on skin care. After reading countless articles and watching videos, I’ve come to the conclusion that a steam facial is one of the best things you can do to your face.  If for any reason, you just can’t get a facial at a spa or dermatologist’s office, you can do it at home by following my instructions for an in-home facial that will deliver results.

Why are facials good?

• Facials increase the circulation of the blood under the skin bringing in oxygen which helps the skin with cell renewal
• Facials stimulate the lymphatic system under the skin allowing the extra fluid to be eliminated reducing puffiness
• Facials promote collagen production keeping the skin looking younger
• Facials help in preventing breakouts and keeping pores small
• Facials help in reducing the appearance of dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles —>>> My favorite reason for a facial 🙂

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Marifer’s in-home facial routine

My in-home facial routine is simple yet effective partly because of the products I use and also the frequency in which I give my skin a thorough cleaning.  I do an in-home facial every Wednesday after my gym class, so it is a much needed treat after sweating a lot doing Pilates.  My in-home facial routine is as follows:

1. CLEANING
I start by taking a hot shower. While in the shower, I rub my favorite face wash thoroughly in my skin for 2 minutes.  Here are the cleansers I use and recommend:

Drugstore Option	Natural Option	High-End Option
Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser	Andalou Naturals Meyer Lemon Creamy Cleanser	Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam

2. EXFOLIATING
While still in the shower, I exfoliate my face with Origins Modern Friction Nature’s Gentle Dermabrasion.  This is a great gentle exfoliator.  To exfoliate your skin, simply put about a quarter-size of the product on your fingertips and start rubbing it on dry, clean skin.  If you have sensitive skin, then massage the product on damp skin.  Apply medium pressure and massage in circular motions all over your face.  I scrub my face for about 1 minute.

3. STEAM
Come out of the shower and turn on the steamer.  The steamer I use is Conair True Glow Moisturizing Mist Facial Sauna System.  The steamer will take couple of minutes to start generating vapor.  While the steamer is getting hot, I put my hair back with a headband and now I’m ready to steam my face.  If you don’t have a steamer, you can always pour boiling water in a bowl.  When the steamer starts generating vapor, I click on the timer, cover my head with a towel and let the steam hit my face for about 10 minutes.  After the timer goes off or the 10 minutes are up, gently pat dry your face with a clean towel.

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4. MASK
After you steam your face for 10 minutes, your pores will be opened and ready for treatment.  I use 2 masks in my routine.  The first mask I use is Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Deep Pore Cleansing which I just started using after I read the countless great reviews on Amazon.  This stuff is great! The deep pore clay mask sucks all the yucky stuff in my pores.  After rinsing that off, I then apply Andalou Naturals Glycolic Brightening Mask with Pumpkin Honey.  I use this mask to treat my dark spots and brighten my skin.

Masks are meant as treatments to help fix skin conditions.  My routine above is for my Melasma.  For oily, acne prone skin, I recommend a clay or mud based mask like the Aztec Secret Clay mask above.  For dry skin, I recommend a hydrating mask.  There are so many masks in the market plus lots of DIY mask recipes online you can choose from.  The choice is yours.

5. Closing Pores
After washing off your mask, I use an ice cube to close the pores.  To close your pores, simply take an ice cube and rub it all over your face for about 30 seconds.

After closing your pores, continue with your normal skin products: toner, serums, moisturizer and SPF. Do this in-home facial routine once per week if you can and trust me your skin will thank you and you’ll notice your skin looking tight and glowing naturally.

Do you like this in-home facial routine? Let me know of any concerns, products you currently use or any tips you want to share.  I’ll pick the best ones and publish in a follow up post.

Love, Marifer