How to choose the right facial

21 April 2015

A facial can not only work wonders for your skin, but it can also be a great way to relax and pamper. But, with such a vast array of facials available, how do you choose the right one ? Daphne Metland, founder of The Good Spa Guide, the UK's go-to guide for the best spas and treatments, shares her top tips to help you find the right facial.

Do you know what you need to ask for?

Work out exactly what you want to achieve . Generally speaking, all facials should make your skin feel clean, fresh and soft. However, they can also be targeted to address specific skin concerns such as fine lines, breakouts or dark circles around the eyes. Work out the areas you are keen to improve.
If you have found a skincare brand that suits your skin, stick with it . It's a good starting point for exploring the different treatments the particular brand can offer.
Talk to your therapist . Before booking your treatment, talk to your chosen therapist/spa about your specific requirements to find out the options available. You might have a set budget, only a limited amount of time available or are after an instant radiance-booster for a specific occasion.
Keep it simple . Most facials fall into five different categories:

- Hydrating - your skin is dry and you want a nourishing treatment. Likely to feature rich creams, serums and moisturising masks.

- Anti-ageing - you want to address the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and help the skin look firmer and plumper. Likely to feature exfoliation, collagen-based products and jawline massage.

- Anti-blemish - your skin is prone to breakouts and can be sensitive and irritated, so you want a soothing treatment that can help improve the tone. Likely to feature deep-cleansing clay masks, zinc and extractions.

- Detoxing - your skin feels congested and has lost its natural glow. Likely to feature exfoliation, purifying oils and gentle enzyme peels.

- Brightening - your skin is prone to redness and irritation and you want to rebalance skin tone. Likely to feature vitamin-rich creams and moisturising masks.