Getting a facial can be a relaxing and effective way to care for your skin. But if your knowledge of what a facial is comes mostly from pop culture, you’re likely to think that these skincare treatments consist solely of applying a face mask and popping cucumber slices over your eyes. In reality, there are many different types of facials, each including different skincare products and tools, that offer various benefits. If your complexion could use some pampering, finding the right kind of treatment should be your first step. Below, we’re breaking down nine of our favorite types of facials and sharing who should give them a try. Read on to discover the self-care service for you. Key Takeaways Takeaway #1: Different types of facials can help target specific concerns, such as hydration, wrinkles, and breakouts. Takeaway #2: To select the best facial for you, it’s important to understand your skin type and goals. Takeaway #3: Facials can vary widely in cost, duration, and recommended frequency, depending on the type and complexity of the treatment. Takeaway #4: Knowing what to expect can make your facial experience more enjoyable and effective. 1. Classic Facial A classic facial is a great option for just about anyone, especially if you’ve never had a facial before. Rather than centering on a specific skin concern, this type of service is designed simply to make skin feel and look healthier. It can also be customized to suit any skin type. And while you might assume a classic treatment would be on the more basic, minimal side, that’s not the case. A traditional facial typically consists of between six and ten skin-pampering steps. According to the Cleveland Clinic, these can include: Cleansing to remove any impurities Exfoliating to help shed dead skin cells on the surface of your skin Applying a face mask that suits your skin type and concerns Moisturizing to hydrate the skin Lightly massaging your face and neck Offering product recommendations Steaming your face to help soften the skin Extracting blackheads and whiteheads Applying other treatments or serums based on your skin’s needs To DIY a simple facial at home, start by washing your face, then use a gentle exfoliant. Follow with a layer of Aēsop’s Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque, smoothing about two teaspoons’ worth over your face. Let the deep cleansing clay mask sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Finish with a lightweight moisturizer, and make sure to take a few minutes to massage it onto your skin. (Note: For at-home facials, skip the extractions. These are best left in the hands of a professional.) Benefits: Refreshes skin, removes impurities, and provides general hydration. Ideal for: All skin types 2. Hydrating Facial When your face feels dry and dehydrated, a hydrating facial might be just what your skin needs. It’s a targeted treatment made up of steps designed to help increase your skin’s moisture levels and lock in hydration. Hydrating facials will usually start with gentle cleansing to remove impurities, followed by light exfoliation to ensure dead skin buildup doesn’t impede your skin from soaking up moisturizing formulas. Next comes applying a moisturizing face mask, like the Kiehl’s Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask (which is great for at-home use, too). Then, the aesthetician will layer hydrating serums and moisturizers onto your skin. This is generally one of the more gentle types of facials, and skin immediately appears more hydrated and healthy-looking. Benefits: Deeply moisturizes, reduces dryness and flakiness, visibly improves skin texture. Ideal for: Dry, dehydrated, or mature skin 3. Acne Facial Acne facials are specialized treatments that help unclog pores, visibly calm skin, and reduce the appearance of breakouts. In most cases, these facials include deep cleansing, exfoliation, and gentle extractions. Masks and serums formulated with acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide may also be incorporated, as well as light therapies. Acne facials can vary significantly from one spa to another, so it’s best to inquire with your esthetician about what to expect. If you can’t get to the spa, give your skin a taste of the facial experience with a purifying face mask. For blemish-prone skin, we love the Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Minimizing Clay Mask, which minimizes the appearance of pores and blackheads. It also helps reduce excess oil to leave skin looking more refined. Benefits: Helps clear pores, address visible breakouts, and soothe skin. Ideal for: Oily, acne-prone skin 4. Exfoliating Facial While exfoliation is part of most facials, some treatments focus more heavily on sloughing the skin than others. Microdermabrasion facials are a great example. Also known as a power peel, this treatment uses tiny crystals to exfoliate the skin and help address visible skin concerns. It’s a popular option for reducing the appearance of fine lines, dull skin, dark spots, mild acne scars, and sun damage. The treatment itself is quick and requires only minimal downtime, so it’s easy to make work with a busy schedule. There are also topical products inspired by professional microdermabrasion that you can try. Youth to the People’s Yerba Mate Resurfacing Energy Facial is one of our favorite formulas for recreating an exfoliating facial at home. The dual-action formula with enzymes and micro-exfoliants helps break down dead skin cells while smoothing skin texture. Benefits: Visibly improves skin texture and reduces the look of dark spots Ideal for: Dull and sun-damaged skin 5. LED Light Therapy Facial LED light therapy facials are one of the more high-tech types of facials. They use high-powered LED lights to help target different skin concerns, from acne and wrinkles to eczema and psoriasis. The light therapy utilizes different wavelengths that correspond with different colors. How deeply it penetrates the skin and what effect the light will have depends on the color. According to the Cleveland Clinic, red light therapy can help with visible signs of aging, blue light therapy is suited to improving acne, and yellow light therapy is associated with reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Some treatments use one color, while others combine multiple colors for personalized care. Benefits: Supports collagen, reduces inflammation, and helps manage acne breakouts. Ideal for: Acne-prone skin and mature skin 6. Chemical Peel Facial A chemical peel facial uses a solution of acids (such as glycolic, salicylic, or lactic acid) to exfoliate the skin at a deeper level than daily-use exfoliants. Depending on the strength of the peel, it can target concerns like dark spots, fine lines, blemishes, and uneven skin tone. After the old skin layers are shed, the new skin that emerges usually looks smoother, clearer, and more radiant. Keep in mind, professional chemical peels can be extremely strong, and some require significant downtime. Deeper peels can take several weeks to heal and necessitate bandaging the skin, for instance. However, there are also “lunchtime” peels that can heal in as little as a day. We would recommend discussing chemical peels with your dermatologist to find the best option for you. There are also mild peels designed for at-home use. The L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot Exfoliant Peel is an exfoliating solution with a unique blend of AHAs, BHA, and PHA. The formula, which takes inspiration from professional peels, helps visibly fade all types of dark spots and renews skin texture. Benefits: Brightens and smooths skin, helps even skin tone, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Ideal for: Mature skin and sun-damaged skin 7. Oxygen Facial New facials are always being invented and gaining popularity. Oxygen facials are one type of facial that’s relatively new to the scene (i.e., starting to pick up steam within the last 10 years). While they continue to be the subject of research, evidence suggests that using topical oxygen on the skin can help improve the appearance of mild and moderate acne. It’s also been shown to have uses in hair care. Benefits: Reduces the appearance of irritated skin and improves the look of acne. Ideal for: Acne-prone skin 8. Laser Facial Many kinds of facials focus on the surface of the skin (in other words, the epidermis). Laser facials stand out because they bypass the epidermis and heat the underlying layer of skin—the dermis—with concentrated, pulsating beams of light. Professionals use lasers to help manage a number of skin concerns, including various types of scars, uneven pigmentation, fine lines, and enlarged oil glands. But not everyone is a good candidate for laser treatments. They may not be a fit for those with active acne, deep wrinkles, or sagging skin. To determine whether this type of facial is right for you, speak with your dermatologist. Benefits: Helps even skin texture, reduces the appearance of scars, and improves the look of discoloration. Ideal for: Mature skin and complexions with hyperpigmentation or acne scarring 9. Sheet Mask Facial One of the easiest facials you can do at home is a sheet mask facial. Sheet masks are single-use masks that are soaked in concentrated serums intended to target specific skin concerns like dryness and dullness. After washing your face, you just need to pop the mask on, leave it for about 20 minutes, then take it off. It doesn’t get much simpler than that. You don’t even need to rinse! Treat your skin to this type of facial the next time you need a quick pick-me-up or before getting ready for an event. The latter is a pro-approved hack—makeup artists will often have their clients sit with a sheet mask on before they apply any cosmetics. To try it for yourself, pick up one of the I Am Sheet Masks from TonyMoly. There are 16 options, including I’m Plum for glowing skin, I’m Caffeine for depuffing, and I’m Green Tea for skin purifying. Benefits: Instantly hydrates and delivers a targeted formula to address specific concerns. Ideal for: All skin types Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What is a facial? A facial refers to a non-invasive skin treatment that can be customized based on your skin type and skin concerns. The goal is typically to address said concerns, make skin look healthier, and help you relax. At their simplest, facials consist of cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing the skin. In professional settings, like at a spa, facials are performed by estheticians. You can also DIY a facial with a face mask or at-home peel. How often should you get a facial? Generally speaking, getting a facial every four to six weeks is ideal. But the right frequency will depend on your skin concerns and the type of facial you’re getting. Treatments that require more downtime, for example, usually don’t need to be repeated as often. For an answer that takes your specific situation into consideration, talk to your esthetician or dermatologist. How much does a facial cost? An average facial may cost somewhere between $75 to $300. But the price of facials can vary widely, even extending beyond this range. Impactful factors include your location, the type of facial, and the type of establishment. Facials will typically be pricier at higher-end spas and in higher-cost-of-living cities. Specialized facial options also tend to cost more than traditional facials. How long does a facial take? Most facials take between 60 and 90 minutes, with classic facials taking less time than specialized ones. Some spas also offer express facials that include only a few key steps and take closer to 30 minutes. What should I wear to a facial? There aren’t super specific rules about what to wear for a facial, but we’d recommend comfortable clothes that are easy to get in and out of. Often, spas will provide a towel wrap (something that looks like a strapless dress made of terry cloth) for you to wear during your facial. This way, the esthetician can carry products down to your neck and décolleté without fear of dirtying your clothes. If you’d like to know exactly what you can expect for your service, so you can dress accordingly, give the spa a call in advance. Next Up: What Is Facial Flooding?
