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Many of us probably feel the sting of spas and beauty parlors shutting their doors since the pandemic. I surely miss getting a proper facial that involves steaming to open pores, professional blackhead extraction, facial massage and proper skin treatment. Luckily, there are ways to replicate a salon-grade pamper session at home. Light some aromatic candles, perhaps even prepare a bubble bath, and let’s unwind!
Start with a clean canvas by removing makeup and any impurities that may clog the skin. Use a cleansing oil like iUNIK’s Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil to dissolve makeup and dirt, and wash off with lukewarm water. Then, opt for a water-based cleanser like Pyunkang Yul’s Low pH Pore Deep Cleansing Foam to complete the double-cleansing routine. If needed, use an exfoliator to gently scrub away dead skin cells and rejuvenate skin. MIZON’s Honey Black Sugar Scrub is a great all-in-one product that hydrates and calms skin while providing exfoliation and removing excess sebum.
Open up pores and soften the outermost layer of your skin! Boil a pot of water and transfer it to a bowl. Then, drape a towel over your head to trap in the steam, and position your head over the bowl. Let the steam rise up to your face for a good five minutes. Here’s a DIY steam machine done right and safe!
After opening your pores, it’s time to unclog them. If you’re skillful enough, you can press a comedone extractor against pores to squeeze out impurities. If you’re not comfortable with this method, a peeling pad comes in handy for removing blackheads and whiteheads, if you haven’t already exfoliated. NEOGEN offers cotton bio-peel gauze pads that gently and swiftly slough away dead skin while moisturizing, brightening and treating fine lines.
As therapeutic and preferred as it may be to have a professional beautician massage your face and ease swollen lymph nodes, a face roller or gua sha can also suffice. The trick is to stroke in upward movements to stimulate blood flow and firm up skin. I like to refrigerate my face roller before use for extra cooling and pore-tightening effects.
There are a plethora of face masks to choose from, from sheet masks and clay masks to DIY mask packs. Choose one that suits your skin type and current condition. I DEW CARE offers an array of wash-off and peel-off masks catering to different skin needs, from hydrating and nourishing dry skin to brightening a dull complexion. Clay masks are also a great option to detoxify skin, shrink pores, absorb excess sebum and mitigate breakouts. Infused with oatmeal and tea tree oil, SKIN&LAB’s Glacial Clay Facial Mask achieves all these and can even be used as a spot treatment on other parts of the body.
A facial treatment doesn’t end with a face mask. Some masks leave behind essence that should be pat into skin, but you should still use a toner and serum post-masking to calm and condition skin. Lock in hydration using Pyunkang Yul’s Essence Toner, which also refines overall complexion. Follow with iUNIK’s Tea Tree Relief Serum or PURITO’s Centella Green Level Buffet Serum for extra skin-soothing effects.
Finish off the facial with a moisturizer to seal in moisture. Having already applied so many products, you can go for a light, refreshing cream. Gel creams, like Dear, Klairs‘s Fundamental Water Gel Cream or iUNIK’s Centella Calming Gel Cream, are lightweight, making them easy for skin to absorb.
This wraps up a satisfying pamper session right in the comfort of your home!
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