All the Spa Facials Explained

For most people, spa facial treatments are a luxury reserved for special occasions. That's probably why we're not exactly well-versed in all the different types of facials available.

Indeed, it's easy to get lost in the jargon of a spa treatment menu, but once you get in-tune, you can quickly start addressing your skin concerns for the flawless complexion you seek.

We've decoded every facial type to help you choose.

Classic

A classic or standard facial typically involves a series of cleansing, exfoliating, extractions, a facial mask, and a moisturizer. This facial is the perfect choice for people with normal to dry skin. The goal is to wake up looking and feeling refreshed.  

Book this facial if you're looking for a quick complexion pick-me-up without any downtime. Many women get this as a weekend treat or before a big event like a wedding for a little extra glow. 

Microdermabrasion

This is your quick route to healthy, glowing skin. Microdermabrasion involves vacuuming away the layers of dead skin using a pressurized jet that scours the skin with micronized crystals and then vacuums the dead cells away. 

According to dermatologists, the benefits of microdermabrasion include brightening the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines, improving skin tone, and fading dark spots. 

Lymphatic Facial Massage 

Often combined with other skincare treatments, a lymphatic massage facial incorporates gentle kneading of your face. According to estheticians, this type of massage helps to relieve tension and reduce water retention, thus minimizing puffiness.

Your lymphatic system is an essential part of your immune system which supports the removal of extra fluid and waste from your body. This type of facial can also boost circulation and ultimately boost your levels of glow. It's suitable for all skin types.

Give this skin treatment a try if your skin is looking dull and lackluster. 

LED 

LED (light-emitting diode) therapy harnesses specific wavelengths of light to address breakouts and inflammation. This pain-free technique is excellent for acne-prone skin as it can effectively drive out blackheads, whiteheads, and even help fade acne scars.

Since LED therapy is shown to help stimulate cell growth, experts say it can also help minimize the appearance of sunspots or fine lines.

A single treatment can improve your complexion, but it may take closer to three sessions to notice a dramatic improvement.

Anti-Aging

An anti-aging facial utilizes active ingredients to attack signs of aging on mature skin. These youth-restoring facials consist of cleansing, exfoliation, masks, extractions, and hydration. They often also include antioxidant-rich serums and ingredients like collagen to boost skin health. It's ideal for women aged 30 and up.

Book this one about a week before a big event, and be extra diligent about wearing sunscreen every day as skin will be particularly sensitive.

Brightening

If you have ashy, dull skin, a brightening skin treatment can help. These facials target dullness, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone by using powerful antioxidants such as Vitamin C. 

The process usually involves a combination of masks, enzyme peels, and alpha hydroxy acids to remove the build-up of dead skin cells on the skin's surface. It's the perfect choice for achieving radiant skin!

Hydrafacial

The hydrafacial involves using a device to vacuum out dirt, oils, and impurities for softer, smoother, clearer skin. 

Known for its three-step process, the HydraFacial device works to deep-cleanse, exfoliate, and hydrate your skin. It's said to help treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne, dryness, and wrinkles.  

Some studies say this facial treatment can even be beneficial for those dealing with rosacea, although we recommend speaking to your derm before going ahead with the treatment.

Oxygen Facial

Loved by Madonna and Ashley Graham, the oxygen facial involves using a wand to administer a stream of high pressurized oxygen to the skin’s surface.

Serums containing hyaluronic acid are often applied to the face with the wand to boost the treatment's plumping and hydrating effects.

Reported benefits of the oxygen facial include hydrating, brightening, evening out skin tone, and fading fine lines. 

There are many more spa facials you can choose from including dermaplaning, chemical peels, and laser therapy. However, these require a lot more downtime than the ones above. If you're looking for a skin pampering treatment to improve the appearance of your skin without uncomfortable side effects, choose one of the above.

ADD THESE PRODUCTS TO YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE

In addition to undergoing regular facials, invest in one or two skincare products formulated with active ingredients that specifically target your skin concerns. Here are our favorites.

Glow Bundle

If you want to enhance your skin's radiance, try making this brightening face serum and mask part of your daily skincare routine. Bakuchiol and glycolic acid work in tandem to slough away dead skin and boost cell turnover for a bouncy, glowing complexion.

Get it here.

Hydrate Bundle

In this formula, hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 join forces to inject hydration into the skin, while visibly plumping and regenerating damaged skin cells. The end result? Brighter, dewier, smoother skin. Use both products daily for best results.

Get it here. 

Smooth Bundle

This two step routine uses the brightening, protective powers of vitamin C and the anti-aging powers of vegan collagen to gently smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. It'll leave your skin feeling soft and smooth after every use. For noticeable results, make these products a part of your regular skincare regimen.

Get it here.

Now that we've decoded all the spa facials for you, you should be able to figure out which one's the best choice for you. In some cases, you may benefit from getting more than one of these facials. For instance, if you have dry skin, you can definitely benefit from regular classic facials and oxygen facials. If you have acne, you may want to try LED therapy in addition to the hydrafacial. And if you have normal skin, you can probably benefit from them all in some way or another. 

For the most accurate recommendation, speak to a dermatologist. They'll be able to determine your skin type and guide you in the right direction.