DIY De-Stressing Facial

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Friday, September 03, 2010

BEAUTY by Becky DiStefano, GoLocalProv Beauty Expert

As school starts again and many are headed back to work, the stress is mounting and it can adversely affect your skin. If you’re too busy to head to the spa, give your face a treat at home.

Step 1: Cleanse

To begin your at-home facial treatment, cleanse the skin of any oils, makeup, dirt, etc. Use a makeup remover to get rid of eye makeup and cleanse the face thoroughly, drying with a fresh towel. Try Ava Anderson Non-Toxic Makeup Remover Pads ($14.95) and Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser ($7, drugstores).

Step 2: Steam

Get thee to the kitchen and boil up some water. Once it’s steaming, remove from the burner and place your face over the water after it stops bubbling. Allow the steam to open your pores for about 3-5 minutes.

Step 3: Exfoliate

Now that your pores are wide open, it is time to slough away that dead skin and buildup. Apply exfoliant to face cloth or your fingers and scrub in circular motion all over the face, including cheeks, forehead, sides of nose and chin. If you enjoy a grainy texture, try Fresh Sugar Face Scrub ($55, Facing Thayer Spa in Providence). For a smoother exfoliant, try Yves St. Laurent ‘Top Secrets’ Natural Action Exfoliator ($44, Nordstrom).

Step 4: Mask

By this time your skin should be feeling fresh, light and alive. To seal in that feeling, apply a mask based upon your skin’s needs. Need moisture? Try the Body Shop’s Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask ($18.50, Body Shop, Providence Place Mall, http://www.bodyshop.com). Concerned with acne? Paint on Murad Clarifying Mask ($37, The Apothecary Newport). Just need a dose of vitality? Enjoy Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Intensive Revitalizing Face Mask ($62, Macy’s, Warwick Mall).

Step 5: Moisturize

For the final touch to a successful facial treatment, lock in the gorgeousness with a healthy dose of moisture. Blend Boots Beauty Formula Vanishing Day Cream ($12, Target in Smithfield) or Lancome Aqua Fusion Cream ($37, Sephora, Providence Place Mall) into your healthy, fresh, glowing skin.

Step 6: Glow

Your skin will love you for this routine so try it every two weeks, exfoliating one-two times per week and masking once a week. Send us photos of your glowing skin and let us know what you do to keep your skin fresh and feisty.