“Love yourself first, and everything else falls in line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world. ” – Lucille Ball

Benefits of Home Facial for Your Skin and Soul

After my recent blog post about relaxation tips for stress, I decided to begin a series about how self-care benefits your body, mind and soul. Because of our busy lives, other things can push our personal needs to the bottom of our “to do” list.  Self care rituals involve all areas: body, mind and spirit, and are extremely important for everyone. Women, who are much more prone to anxiety and depression, should put importance on their self-care. Once you make self-care a habit, you will begin to feel good and improve physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally, can really improve your daily life, your self-esteem, and your overall well-being.

I decided to begin my self-care series with facials. Skin is our largest living organ and without proper care can begin to show the effects of premature aging, dullness, acne, redness, fine lines and wrinkles. What we put on our skin is just as important as what we put into our body. In autumn, the skin will need some TLC, what with the cold weather sapping all the moisture from the air. While a facial at a professional spa may cost some money, a home facial is inexpensive. I love to pamper myself with an at home facial. They are important for a healthy complexion but also help with your mental health. Detox your skin and practice some loving self-care with this beauty ritual. You will remove dead skin cells, steam, clean, and purify for baby soft, glowing skin. I recommend doing it once a week. Also, they are great a day or two before a special event. Perform the facial at nighttime while relaxing and winding down and your skin will also reap even more benefits repairing itself while you sleep.

Here are some of the things you will need:

• Headband
• Gentle facial cleanser
• Exfoliating facial scrub
• Washcloth
• Large bowl or sink
• Towel
• Face Mask
• Face Moisturizer and Serums

Here is the steps that I follow:

1. Clean.

Before you begin, start your kettle for step 3. Prep your hair by tying it up and wearing a headband or wrapping it up tight with a towel.  Cleansing your skin first is important so that you don’t clog pores. Start with a fresh clean face. If you don’t cleanse first, makeup, sweat, dirt, debris and etc. can more likely get into pores causing clogged pores and more possible breakouts when you steam. Always use lukewarm water for cleansing and rinsing.

2. Exfoliate

You need to pave the way for later treatments so their active ingredients can absorb effortlessly without encountering any superficial blockages. Exfoliation allows you to slough off dead skin cells that accumulate on your skin’s surface. Facial scrubs run the gamut from foaming scrubs to soothing oil based scrubs.

3. Steam

Regular facials with steam are wonderful skin care treatments that promote deep cleansing of pores. And increasing circulation to the face while giving that overall glowing complexion. I use a bowl with hot water, not boiling water. Make a steam tent over you and your bowl by draping a towel over your head and shoulders. You may also use a sink in place of a bowl.  Keep your face at a comfortable distance from the bowl, but it should not so close that your face becomes damaged from the heat. However, your face should not be so far that the stream does not come into contact with the face. Breathe deeply, relax, and steam away for about 10 minutes. The purpose of streaming is to help increase blood circulation to your face which helps to open clogged pores. This will be an extra benefit if you are experiencing any allergies symptoms or a cold and the steam can ease seasonal sinus pressure.

You can also put fresh herbs and any other aromatherapy oils into the water to create a fresh scent and because they work wonders on your skin and for your heart and soul. Rosemary, in particular, will do a great job at unclogging oily pores. While lavender isn’t necessary, it’s a great option if you have dry skin and is relaxing. To also soften dry skin, add rose. For combination skin, add balancing grapefruit. For acne issues, add tea tree oil. For relief of seasonal allergies, add a few drops of eucalyptus to allow your steam facial to also unclog your sinuses. Mint and lemon will refresh your face and clear your sinuses. Peppermint oil is good for invigorating yourself, and pepping up dull complexions and clearing out those nasal passages. I’m using lemon slices. I love this step — you’ll come out of your “tent” all rosy and renewed! Once the steam finishes, rinse your face with lukewarm water and a washcloth.

The next blog post on Tuesday will continue the steps for your DIY facial.

xoxo, Christine