After-Facial Care: What to Do and What to Avoid

Spa facials can work wonders for your skin. They deep clean to remove impurities, and with a little exfoliation and a facial massage, they leave you feeling refreshed and restored. But without the proper after-facial care, the time and money you invested into this luxurious treat may be all for naught. 

The immediate effect of your facial: plump, radiant-looking skin — will typically last anywhere from three to five days. No doubt that stellar results like that will always beg the question: how do you keep it going? 

To help you keep your post-facial glow long after you’ve left the spa, here are three things to do and four things to avoid after a facial.

5 THINGS TO DO AFTER YOUR FACIAL 

1. Hydrate 

When it comes to your skin, hydration is the key to pretty much everything. On any given day, hydration helps your skin cells function effectively; it helps you flush out toxins and leaves you with glowing skin. While a good facial will leave your skin feeling deeply moisturized, you’ll want to keep it going by drinking about two liters of water daily.

2. Moisturize 

If your facial includes exfoliation, remember that means the layer of dead skin cells is being removed from the surface of your skin — and along with it, the natural oils that usually protect your skin. So, in addition to hydrating your skin by drinking plenty of water after your facial, you should also use a gentle moisturizer to replenish and lock in that moisture. If you’re looking for a moisturizer to help keep your skin hydrated after a facial (and everyday in general), check out our Intense Hydration Cream, which boosts hydration and restores luminosity. 

3. Be Gentle 

Following deep cleansing, extractions, and exfoliation, your skin may be a bit sensitive after a facial. For that reason, it’s important to stick to gentle cleansers (and you might want to skip the toners for a few days, too). After a deep cleaning, harsh skincare products are unnecessary, not to mention, they can likely exacerbate any minor irritation. Furthermore, when washing your face in the days following a facial you should use lukewarm water and pat dry.

4. Use a Clean Pillow Case and Fresh Towels   

A facial deep cleans your pores leaving them open and exposed, so make sure you’re using a clean pillowcase so dirt and oil doesn’t clog pores when you sleep. The same goes for towels, or anything else that might come in direct contact with your face for an extended period of time.

5. Follow the Esthetician’s Instructions and Advice 

Depending on the type of facial you get and the unique characteristics of your skin, your esthetician will provide instructions including what to do after your facial. Additionally, the esthetician may provide recommendations including specific products to incorporate into your skincare routine, or lifestyle tips to help you achieve your skincare goals.

4 THINGS TO AVOID AFTER YOUR FACIAL

1. Picking at Your Skin 

While refraining from picking at your skin is essentially skincare 101, never is this more important than in the days immediately following your facial. If you’ve ever had a facial, then you know what happens within the next two to three days. Your skin will begin to purge. As your skin expedites its recovery, it pushes everything to the surface, and the end result is a healthy mix of whiteheads, pimples, and even blackheads. While it can be a bit maddening, rest assured that it’s a good sign. The important thing to remember is that under no circumstances should you pick at your face after a facial. Doing so can lead to further irritation and even scarring. 

2. Wearing Makeup 

“Can you wear makeup after a facial?” This question seems to pop up repeatedly, and the answer to that is, “Ideally, no.” Immediately following a facial, it’s probably best to stay away from your makeup (at least for 24 hours). Again, remember that your pores are still open, and anything you apply to your face can irritate your skin and lead to a breakout. This is particularly true for makeup and the tools you use (including your fingers) for its application because they tend to harbor healthy doses of bacteria. Needless to say, you don’t want that setting up shop in your pores. Moreover, when you forego your makeup for a short stretch, serums and moisturizers have a little breathing room of their own to do their magic. If you absolutely have to use makeup for an important event, make sure to clean your brushes or applicators first. 

3. The Gym 

After a facial, your skin needs a minute to calm and repair itself. So, it may be best to skip the workout for a day or two, as sweat and other pollutants can cause or worsen irritation. Similar to the warning about wearing makeup after a facial, remember your pores are likely still open from the steam used during your treatment. You certainly wouldn’t want any sweat to make its way into those freshly cleaned pores.

4. The Sun 

Freshly exfoliated skin is decidedly more vulnerable to harmful UV rays. So, after-facial care requires a conscious effort on your part to stay out of the sun. That’s not to say that you should avoid going outdoors altogether, but extended periods of time in direct sunlight is not the best move. If you are using Retinol or retinoids as part of your skincare routine, minimizing sun exposure is crucial, and at the very least, always apply SPF before leaving the house. 

Make the Most of Your Next Facial

Now that you know what to do and what to avoid after a facial, you can make the most of your next trip to the spa and maintain the radiant glow following your visit.

If you’re interested in getting a facial, book a visit at milk + honey spa and choose from a wide variety of treatment options along with enhancements to customize your experience. Our licensed skincare expert will customize your facial based on your skin type and goals.

Book a facial at milk + honey spa today!