8 Types of Facials to Treat Yourself With

We often stress the importance of a well-balanced skincare routine to help support healthy-looking skin. While maintaining a consistent routine is a great way to give your skin what it needs to look and feel its best, there are also many types of facials that can help you reach your skincare goals. These treatments shouldn’t replace your skincare routine—but they can help bolster it. 

With so many different kinds of facials on salon menus, though, it can be tricky to pinpoint the best facial treatment for you. That’s where we come in. Ahead, learn about eight common skincare treatments we love, plus advice on which to book ahead of your next self-care day.

What Is a Facial?

A facial is a popular skincare and wellness service designed to help cleanse, exfoliate, and hydrate the skin, per the Cleveland Clinic. Spa facial treatments are typically intended to help nourish the skin and promote relaxation, while those performed at a dermatologist or aesthetician’s office are often non-invasive treatments geared toward improving the appearance of skin concerns such as dark spots or unevenness.

Needles, lasers, and chemicals (such as alpha-hydroxy acids, or AHAs) are sometimes added to the equation to help target these concerns. While these practices may sound intimidating, rest assured they’re usually gentle and often require little to no downtime. So, depending on the type of facial you get, you may be able to get your treatment in the morning and meet up with your friends for lunch or dinner later in the day. 

What Is the Best Facial Treatment?

The best type of facial ultimately depends on your skin type and concerns. The right pick for you will be one that can target specific skincare woes and help you reach your goals (think smoothing, brightening, hydrating, anti-aging, etc). If you’re staring at a long list of facials and are unsure where to start, speak to a licensed aesthetician for more guidance on which kinds of facials may suit your needs. 

8 Types of Facials and Their Benefits

To help you understand your options, we’re breaking down eight popular types of facial treatments to consider. Keep in mind that you’ll usually want to leave facial treatments to the pros for the best experience (you deserve to relax, after all) and to avoid damaging your skin. However, a few at-home products can help you replicate the benefits of a facial sans the appointment. We’re sharing it all below.

1. Classic facial

A classic or traditional facial is a one-shot deal that can simultaneously tackle most of your skincare needs and is an excellent option for beginners. This type of facial treatment typically combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction (a.k.a. removing blemishes like blackheads), massage, and hydration into one service to help you beautify your complexion. 

During your appointment, your facialist will likely pick products formulated for your skin type for the most customized results. The service can last anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour and generally requires no downtime. Price is largely dependent on the salon or spa you’re visiting and where you live. With that said, these tend to be a more budget-friendly option than some of the more involved facials we’ll be discussing later on. 

Don’t sweat it if you don’t have the time or budget for weekly facials: Following a thorough skincare routine, complete with exfoliating, clarifying, and massaging, is an easy way to achieve a salon-worthy glow at home. For extra pampering, pick up the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid & Caffeine Eye Serum. This caffeine-infused eye serum comes with a cooling, stainless steel ball applicator that allows you to give yourself a full eye contour massage. After using it, eyes will look refreshed, well-rested, and noticeably depuffed. 

2. Microneedling facial

Consider a microneedling facial if you’re dealing with an uneven skin tone or texture due to acne scars, stretch marks, large pores, or wrinkles. Per The Cleveland Clinic, this type of facial involves inserting tiny needles into the top layer of skin to help visibly smooth, firm, and plump the skin over time. You can expect this facial to last around 45 minutes, and multiple sessions may be required to achieve your desired result.

The Cleveland Clinic confirms that dryness and flaking can sometimes occur after microneedling but can be easily managed with moisturizer. As such, we recommend reaching for the L’Oréal Paris Collagen Filler Moisture Filler Anti-Aging Moisturizer to help restore moisture and bounce in the days after your appointment.

3. LED light therapy facial

If dullness is your primary concern, LED (light-emitting diode) therapy facials may be worth a closer look. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this type of facial utilizes different forms of LED lights (blue, red, yellow, and infrared) to help improve the skin’s overall appearance. Often, these facials also include the use of topical products, such as exfoliants, to boost the results. 

The Cleveland Clinic notes that skin will be more sensitive to the sun after an LED facial, so you’ll want to be vigilant about your sunscreen application. Regardless of how sunny it is outside, apply a broad-spectrum formula like the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion following your service (and every day, for that matter). This lightweight sunscreen quickly absorbs into the skin without any greasy residue and protects against damaging UVA and UVB rays. The Skin Cancer Foundation also recommends applying sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure and re-applying it at least every two hours.

4. IPL laser resurfacing

According to a study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) is a facial rejuvenation procedure that uses an intense laser beam to help improve skin tone and texture over time. It can also help decrease the appearance of fine lines, scars, and sun damage. 

Depending on your starting point, you may need to undergo between three and six treatments to achieve your desired results. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) often recommends this type of facial and skin service only for those with light complexions, as some IPL devices don’t work well on darker skin tones. Always work with an experienced skin professional who can cater to your complexion to avoid burning or damaging your skin.

5. Microdermabrasion facial 

Physical exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin using scrubs or manual tools (think towels or brushes). In a pro’s chair, physical exfoliation often comes in the form of a microdermabrasion facial. This non-invasive treatment typically consists of using a handheld device to gently “sand” the top layer of your skin, per the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). By buffing away dead skin from the skin’s dull outer layer, microdermabrasion can help refresh the skin’s appearance, even out texture, and reduce the appearance of dark spots and post-acne marks.

It’s worth noting that this type of facial generally requires a series of follow-up treatments to maintain its results. The AAD also shares that your skin may appear red or pink immediately after the treatment, though this side effect tends to resolve within a day or so. 

6. Dermaplaning facial

If peach fuzz is the bane of your existence, pencil in a dermaplaning appointment. This popular facial treatment uses a handheld, scalpel-like instrument to gently skim off the top layer of skin. Removing dead skin cells and fine hairs helps reveal the newer, smoother, and more radiant skin beneath. Another upside to dermaplaning is that makeup is less likely to cling to dry patches or uneven surfaces afterward, allowing you to achieve a more seamless makeup application.

Dermaplaning is not for everyone, though. Those with certain skin conditions are advised to avoid the method for risk of irritation. Speak to a trained healthcare professional to see if this face treatment is right for you. 

7. Chemical peel facial

A chemical peel is another type of exfoliating facial that uses specific chemicals (versus manual sloughing) to help gently dissolve the topmost layer of skin. The goal of this facial treatment is to resurface the skin for a brighter, smoother-feeling, and more even-looking appearance. Different strengths of chemical peels are available, according to the Mayo Clinic, and the chosen level will influence your results and upkeep schedule.

Keep in mind that, unlike other face treatments, a more intense chemical peel can sometimes increase the likelihood of pain and downtime. That’s why we’re partial to indulging in an at-home peel, like the L'Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot Exfoliant Peel. This pro-inspired formula features a unique blend of skincare acids and helps gently exfoliate, brighten, and smooth skin texture. Plus, you can use this peel up to four times per week for visibly improved skin. Another option is to use a gentle, daily-use exfoliating toner, like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 5 Percent Glycolic Acid Peeling Toner, to help renew skin’s appearance over time.

8. Hydrating facial

When a facial cream fails to address your dryness or flaking, a hydrating facial may be in order. As its name suggests, this type of facial treatment provides your skin with intense moisture to promote a softer, smoother complexion. During this treatment, your facialist will likely cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize your face, apply a hydrating mask, and give you a relaxing massage. There’s normally no downtime for this facial; after pumping your skin with hydration, you (and your glowy complexion) will be ready to go.

In between hydrating facials, make sure to use a good moisturizer that caters to your skin’s needs. We’re partial to the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream. The non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula helps skin attract and retain moisture while visibly re-plumping the skin.

What Are the Benefits of Facials?

As demonstrated above, facials offer a range of benefits for your skin. These include but are not limited to:

• Deep cleansing: Many facials aim to remove impurities, dirt, and excess oil from the complexion.
• Exfoliation: The process of sloughing off dead skin cells, like with microdermabrasion or a chemical peel, can help skin appear fresher, brighter, and more radiant.
• Hydration: Professional-strength products used in some facial treatments work to rehydrate the skin, plump fine lines, and smooth skin’s texture.
• Enhanced skin texture and tone: Many facials, especially ones with targeted lasers, help address and improve uneven skin tone and rough texture.
• Relaxation: The experience of a facial massage can be a deeply relaxing and stress-relieving ritual.

How Often Should You Get a Facial?

How often you get a facial depends on your needs and the specific treatment. Some facials—like microneedling, brightening, IPL, and microdermabrasion—may require multiple sessions spaced a few weeks apart for the best results. Classic or hydrating facials, on the other hand, can usually be done more frequently—up to a few times per month—depending on how your skin reacts to the services. If you’re unsure how often you should head in for a facial treatment, we suggest asking your aesthetician or dermatologist for their advice.

When Is the Best Time to Get a Facial?

You should get a facial whenever you start noticing concerns your daily skincare products alone can’t tackle. It’s also wise to get regular facials to ward off issues before they appear. If your complexion is lacking hydration or appearing dull, get a facial. If you want to try a non-invasive option for signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles, get a facial. 

And if you’ve had an extra stressful day at work or school and need to feel refreshed, get a facial. Truly, there is no specific time you need to get a facial. However, making facials a regular part of your skincare (and self-care) routine is worth considering if you have the time and means. 

Next Up: What’s the Best Skincare Routine Order?

Photo Courtesy of L’Oréal Paris