What if facials could talk? They’d sit you down with their cucumber-crafted hands and talk to you about leisure and relaxation. As you listen to them speak about skin health and the beauty industry, they would depict their persuasive abilities and try to talk you into putting them on your monthly calendar. “We’re good for your skin. We can rejuvenate, exfoliate and hydrate,” they’d say, trying to impress you with their unexpectedly proficient rhyming skills. But that’s just the tip of the vast iceberg of their potential. Capable of giving your skin a long-lasting monthly glow-up, facials are more useful than you think. So should they be a part of your monthly routine? Before we answer this question, let’s learn more about them.
P is for Pale Skin and Privilege
In the 1500s and 1600s, pale skin was looked upon as a symbol for privilege and power. This is when the process of using natural ingredients to rejuvenate and glow up skin began. One innovation led to the next, and 1875 saw the creation of a new overnight sleeping beauty mask known as the Toilet Mask invented by Madame Rowley meant to keep the complexion smooth and healthy. A century later, facials— which fit perfectly into the self-care jigsaw puzzle— continue to have several benefits. So how does one choose the best fit?
The Many Faces of Facials
Facials might be meant for the face, but you’ll be surprised to know that facials too, have many faces of their own. Confusing, right? This is why before you decide which facial is best for you, it’s important to acquaint yourself with the many kinds that exist. Broadly, facials can be divided into two relatively straightforward groups: natural and chemical facials which have subcategories of their own.
Natural Facials
True to their name, natural facials involve the employment of natural and plant-based ingredients to improve overall skin health. It’s the perfect fit for those with sensitive skin and those with a preference for gentle skin care. In addition to facilitating deep skin care, natural facials are also instrumental in reducing stress. Here are the different types of natural facials:
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Hydrating Facials: Are you struggling with dry and cracked skin? Hydrating facials might be the solution you need. With a focus on moisture replenishment, these facials employ natural ingredients such as aloe vera or hyaluronic acid to restore hydration and make your skin glow.
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Brightening Facials: Do you want your face to glow, but fear the searing side effects of chemically infused brightening creams? Brightening facials is a solid alternative. Aimed at improving skin radiance, these facials use natural ingredients such as vitamin C and turmeric to combat dullness.
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Acne Facials: A unique facial treatment that carries its target in its name, acne facials use natural ingredients to prevent acne breakouts. These include tea tree oil, witch hazel, aloe vera and honey amidst other essential oils which are helpful in soothing acne-prone skin.
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Aromatherapy Facials: If you’re looking for a facial that’s therapeutic, refreshing and improves skin health, aromatherapy facials are your best bet. Powered by essential oils, these facials use aromatherapy techniques to improve your skin health and are the perfect representation of how holistic healing looks like when it’s wrapped in a soothing facial.
Chemical Facials
Chemical facials, also known as chemical peels, involve the use of a chemical substance to remove the upper layers of the skin. It’s done with the hope that the skin that grows back is smoother and healthier. If you’re looking for treatment that goes beyond hydration and rejuvenation and is more clinically-oriented, chemical facials are the perfect fit for you. Here are some of the most popular kinds of chemical peels:
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Vitalize Peel: The perfect stepping stone for someone who’s never undergone a chemical facial before, the vitalize peel uses a combination of citric acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid and retinol to improve your overall skin health. It also lightens pigmentation.
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Jessners Peel: Have you ever wondered how it feels to hold history on your skin? Well, the Jessners Peel is here to make you experience just that. Created over a hundred years ago, this treatment is carried out by brushing an acidic liquid onto the skin that removes the outer layers, encouraging the growth of younger looking skin. It’s the perfect fit for someone who wants to reduce fine lines, age spots and wrinkles at the same time.
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Alpha Jewel Peel: Are you a busy working professional who shivers at the idea of spending a long time in the salon? The Alpha Jewel Peel has you covered! A facial that doesn’t cover under sun rays, this treatment uses precious jewels and essential minerals to soothe stressed skin.
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Retinol Peel: You must’ve come across mentions of retinol on skin care products, but do you know what it actually is? A form of vitamin A, retinol can be best understood as a growth facilitator that is able to extend into the deeper layers of skin to facilitate cellular growth and renewal. It promotes hydration, rejuvenation and refreshing of your complexion and also helps reduce symptoms of other skin concerns such as fine lines, aging and wrinkles.
So, should getting a facial done be a task on your monthly to-do list?
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28 Day Renewal Period: The human body is armed with the ability to self-heal, and skin cells are no different. They renew themselves every 28 days, making monthly facials a perfect way to rejuvenate and maintain healthy skin.
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Listen to Your Skin: Your skin doesn’t just have a shape and texture of its own, it also has a voice that tells you how it’s doing— whether it’s acne prone, oily or sensitive. If that’s the case, then monthly facials are bound to benefit your skin, putting it on the path of long-term improvement.
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Befriending Your Blood Circulation: Facials usually involve gentle massaging, a technique that leads to increased blood circulation leading to a glowing complexion. While it may seem to be a mere promise of radiance, it’s important to remove that improved blood circulation also leads to detoxification, improved skin texture, lesser puffiness and significant acne reduction.
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Cleansing What the Cleaner Can’t: Despite their convincing exterior, face washes and cleaners have their limitations. Here’s where facials come in. They deep-clean your skin and remove the built up oil and dirt that face washes aren’t able to gather, leading to a feeling of refreshment.
While it may be tempting to jump the bandwagon with every new trend, it’s important to recognize that individuality plays a key role. What you need might look very different from what someone else requires, and it’s essential to understand this distinction because each decision that you take has long-term implications for your skin health.