Professional facials are one of the most relaxing things you can do for your skin. And when you get them regularly, they’re also one of the most effective ways to deeply cleanse, hydrate, and retexturize your face, no matter what kind of skin concerns you've got (acne, eczema, fine lines, and more). The catch? In-office treatments are expensive, time-consuming, and realistically not something most of us can book as often as aestheticians recommend.
That’s where at-home facials come in. With the right steps, you can recreate many of the skin-clearing, glow-boosting benefits of a professional facial at home with skincare products you already have—ya know, without the price tag. But you have to be careful, which is why we consulted four celebrity aestheticians on exactly which parts of a facial are safe and effective to DIY, and which steps are best left to the pros.
FYI: Cosmopolitan editors get facials for a living—we test them constantly, interview top skin experts year-round, and know firsthand what actually makes a difference between appointments. Which is why we're such huge fans of getting them done by the professionals, but also understand that it's not exactly always possible.
Keep scrolling for a step-by-step breakdown of how to do an at-home facial the right way, how often to do one, which facial steps (like extractions) you should skip at home, and the best products to use for cleansing, hydration, and retexturizing.
How often should I do an at-home facial?
All the aestheticians I chatted with for this piece said it's best to do an at-home facial once a week. "Maintaining a consistent at-home routine is essential for good skin," says aesthetician Danuta Mieloch. But remember: At-home facials shouldn't replace professional facials entirely. Aestheticians Sofie Pavitt, Edyta Jarosz, and Shani Darden all agree it's ideal to get a professional facial every four to six weeks to keep your skin on track. "If that's not possible and you’re on a budget, I’d say once every quarter is the minimum to get a facial," adds Pavitt.
Keep in mind, though, that different times of the year are better for each type of facial. "As you enter a new season, try to see your aesthetician," Pavitt explains. "My motto is 'protect in summer and correct in the winter,' so we may do deep cleans and hydrating treatments in the summer, and more aggressive things like laser, peels etc. in the winter."
Should you do extractions in an at-home facial?
The general consensus among experts here is no. "While it may be tempting to perform extractions yourself during an at-home facial, I strongly recommend leaving this step to a professional aesthetician," says Jarosz. "Extractions require precision, proper technique, and sterile tools to avoid causing damage to the skin," she says, adding that "improper extractions can lead to scarring and infection."
Now if you're one of those stubborn people who is absolutely going to do your own extractions, despite being told no, there are three things to keep in mind so you don't totally destroy your skin:
- Never use your bare hands. "Make sure your skin is thoroughly cleansed and softened, then squeeze the zit with a tissue, and immediately disinfect the area afterwards," says Mieloch.
- Follow the three squeeze rule. "I give permission to pop if the pimple has a juicy whitehead," says Pavitt. "You can extract after a warm shower and use Q-Tips to press around the pimple three times at three different angles. If it doesn't pop after three gentle presses, it's not ready."
- Leave cystic zits alone. "They rarely come to a head, so your best bet is to alternate between icing the area and applying hot compresses," Pavitt adds.
How do I do my own facial at home?
My everyday skincare routine is pretty minimal (face wash, antioxidant serum, moisturizer, and SPF—that's it), so I try to set aside 45 minutes or so on Sunday nights to reset my skin before the week ahead. And while the time of day you give yourself a facial is totally personal preference, I like to do mine before bed so I 1) don't have to apply SPF or makeup on top of my cleansed and moisturized skin, and 2) wake up super glowing in the morning.
Here's a step-by-step guide to how I DIY my own facial at home, with tips and product recs from the pros:
Step 1: Double Cleanse
If you wear waterproof sunscreen or heavy makeup, chances are a single cleanse with your regular face wash won't be enough to get your skin fully clean. Hence why all of the aestheticians I chatted with for this piece recommend starting your at-home facial with a double cleanse, which entails using a balm or oil cleanser or micellar water (this is Pavitt's preference for her acne-prone clients) followed by a gel, cream, or foaming face wash. The oil cleanser or micellar water will effectively dissolve makeup and oil on the skin, so that your regular face wash can really get in there and clean out your pores.
And if you're double cleansing with an oil or balm, don't rush that step! Take a full 60 seconds to really work the formula into your skin using small, circular motions. Not only is the mini face massage more ~relaxing~, but it also makes sure that there's no buildup left behind on your face.
Step 2: Steam
There are sooo many benefits to heating up your skin with a little steam. It helps to soften all the gunk inside your pores, making it easier to unclog your pores. Plus, steaming your face makes your skin super-receptive to serums and moisturizers, taking your regular ol’ routine to the next level. You can use a facial steamer (I personally like Dr. Dennis Gross's Pro Facial Steamer), or you can hover your face over a bowl of hot water. Pavitt also says you can "use steam from the shower for softening the skin" if you want as well.
Step 3: Exfoliate
Next up: exfoliation (aka the secret to smooth, dewy skin). Our experts say you can't go wrong with a chemical exfoliator, like an at-home peel, pre-soaked pads, or an acid toner, that's formulated with AHAs, BHAs, and/or PHAs. These acids gently dissolve dulling dead skin cells and clear out your pores, resulting in smoother skin texture and a brighter tone.
According to Mieloch, if you're using an acid toner in the exfoliation step, the technique you use to apply it really matters. "Saturate a cotton round or pad with the toner and then apply it with upward strokes, tapping and sweeping as you go for added lift and exfoliation." FWIW, I've been doing this exact method with Biologique Recherche's p50 along my chin and jawline and have really noticed the little bumps begin to disappear.
And JSYK, if you prefer to use a physical exfoliator, that's fine too. Just make sure it's not too harsh or abrasive, and be mindful of using gentle pressure when massaging it into your skin. Pavitt recommends Dr. Loretta's Enzyme Polish—which I'm personally obsessed with too.
Step 4: Mask
Masking is an opportunity to target specific skin concerns, like breakouts, dullness, or dryness. "If you’re dry and irritated, you’ll want to go for a hydrating and soothing formula," says Pavitt. "Or if you’re very oily, a clay mask can be beneficial," she adds. Acne-prone skin types will want to look for a face mask with actives like benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, or salicylic acid. Just know that you may need more than one mask in your skincare arsenal, as your skin's specific needs change on a daily basis due to things like weather, stress, diet, and hormones.
Step 5: Serum
Once you rinse off your mask, follow up with a serum. Because you've already exfoliated, steamed, and masked, Pavitt says it can be overkill to use a face serum with active ingredients. Her suggestion? A gentle hydrating serum to give your skin a plump, dewy glow. Look for a formula with hyaluronic acid to help pull water into your skin.
Step 6: Tools
Skincare tools and devices are having a moment in the beauty space, which means you've got plenty of solid options to choose from. Jarosz, Darden, and Mieloch all like LED masks. They're proven to minimize inflammation, fade discoloration, and stimulate collagen induction, so they're helpful for treating everything from acne and dark spots to fine lines. And unlike some other at-home skincare devices, you can't really overuse LED, so it's hard to mess up and potentially damage your skin.
If you're looking to tone, tighten, and lift, Darden recommends using an at-home microcurrent device. The effects are temporary, but they're great for before a big event. Personally, I can't get enough of TheraFace's depuffing wand. I use the hot temp setting to massage in my serum and then finish with the cold temp setting around my eyes to depuff and on any breakouts or bumps to bring down swelling and redness.
Step 7: Moisturize
Now it's time to seal in all the good stuff you just put on your face with a coat of moisturizer. "A good face moisturizer will lock in hydration and prevent water loss, leaving your skin supple and well-conditioned," explains Mieloch. You can finish off with a lightweight moisturizer or a thick, rich cream—whatever works best for your skin type and concerns.
Step 8: Eye Cream and Lip Balm
Last, but definitely not least, you'll want to tap on an eye cream and swipe on some lip balm. The skin around the eyes and on the lips is thinner and more delicate than the rest of the face, so keeping it conditioned is a must.
Meet the experts:
- Danuta Mieloch is a licensed aesthetician and the founder of Rescue Spa in NYC and Philadelphia. She is also the founder of Danucera, a luxurious, high-quality skincare line for all skin types and tones.
- Sofie Pavitt is a licensed aesthetician and NYC-based skincare expert aesthetician who specializes in clients with acne-prone and problematic skin. She is also the founder of skincare line Sofie Pavitt Face.
- Edyta Jarosz is a licensed aesthetician at Shafer Clinic in NYC. Her customized skincare treatments that cater to individual needs have earned her a loyal following worldwide.
- Shani Darden is a licensed celebrity aesthetician in LA. She is the founder of Shani Darden Skin Care and Shani Darden Studio, where she oversees an elite team of aestheticians.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from the best retinol eye creams to the best pore-minimizing treatments. She’s an authority in all skincare categories, including DIY treatments.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with more than seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
