Looking forward to a romantic date this Valentine’s weekend, how about a date with your skin first? Whether you have plans or not, take a night off and pamper your skin from head-to-toe. Follow our at-home treatment and wake up with a refreshed complexion and moisturized skin.
It’s an hour before you get settled in for bed; instead of spending that time in front of a screen, give your skin a little pampering. We have an at home facial and bath treatment perfect for prepping your skin for a special date or just to relax. We suggest doing this just before bed, as you’ll give your skin time to rest and soak in the products overnight and restore hydration.
What you’ll need:
- Facial cleanser
- Gentle exfoliating scrub
- Washcloth
- Toner/Cleansing water
- Face mask (hydrating gel or sheet mask)
- Face moisturizer
- Colloidal oatmeal (finely ground up oatmeal)
- Body lotion or body butter
1. Cleansing
Pull your hair back, dampen your face with warm water and grab your favorite cleanser. Lather up the facial cleanser and massage it all over your face in a circular motion and don’t forget to wash up to your hairline and down the neck. Then rinse with warm water.
2. Exfoliation
While your face is still damp, apply a gentle exfoliating scrub all over your face in a circular motion. Focus on areas that dirt and oil build up the most (around your nose and forehead). Once done, rinse with warm water and gently pat your face dry with a clean towel.
Don’t forget your lips! A simple exfoliation with your toothbrush will do the trick if you don’t have a lip scrub. Wet your lips with a bit of water and gently brush in a circular motion. Wipe away any dead skin with a tissue and follow with a hydrating lip balm.
3. Washcloth Steam
Steaming helps opens up your pores, releasing bacteria and dirt and softens the skin. A simple way to do a steam facial at home is with a washcloth. Wet your washcloth with warm water and ring it out. Lay the washcloth on your face for a minute. You can repeat this 2-3 times.
4. Toner
Dry off and follow up with a toner or cleansing water. Apply your toner or cleansing water to a cotton pad and wipe away any dirt that had been loosened from the steam.
5. Cool Down With a Mask
Masks are a sweet treat to add to your skincare routine when you’re looking for a little boost. There are many different types of facial masks available depending on your skin type and needs.
Every skin type needs hydration. We suggest applying either a gel or a sheet mask, both add hydration to the skin. These masks deliver water-based hydration to dehydrated skin. To make it extra refreshing, you can put your mask in the fridge for a bit to chill before using. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes or as instructed and rinse it off. If you’re using a sheet mask, there’s no need to wash off off the excess serum. Instead, you can massage the serum into your skin.
6. Moisturize
Finish off with your favorite moisturizer. Apply it all over your face and neck to lock in all the moisture.
7. Oatmeal Bath and Body Lotion
After you’ve completed your facial at home, time to pamper your body with an oatmeal bath. Oatmeal baths can soften your skin and relieve itchiness caused by the dry cold weather. It also adds moisture to your skin and is a natural cleanser, absorbing dirt, oil and odor.
Start by running a warm bath and add colloidal oatmeal, making sure to mix it completely in the water. Colloidal oatmeal is a finely ground up oatmeal. It can be purchased at most drugstores, but you can also make your own by grinding up whole oats in a food processor until it becomes a powdery consistency. Soak in the bath for 10-15 minutes. Gently pat yourself dry and immediately apply a moisturizing body lotion or body butter.
You’re now pampered head-to-toe and ready for bed. Remember to get enough sleep (7-9 hours), and you’ll wake up well rested with a refreshed complexion, ready to start your day.
