The three biggest mistakes people make during an at-home facial

Though nothing compares to having your skin taken care of by someone else for an hour or so, as we head into a second lockdown, a little at-home self-care may be on the cards to keep your skin looking smooth, healthy and radiant until you can enjoy in-clinic skincare treatments once again. Not only will it leave your skin feeling amazing, but it also allows you the freedom to do whatever you desire—watch Netflix, listen to a podcast, cook dinner—while your products work their magic. Like anything, though, there are a few ground rules to follow when indulging in an at-home facial. One wrong move or the combination of two of the wrong ingredients and you might accidentally do more damage than good. So, steer clear of the following three major facial no-nos when taking care of your skin at home.

Using professional-grade peels or products 

It may be tempting to try and seek out professional-grade products during this time, especially if your skincare just doesn’t seem to be cutting it alone. Unless you’re a licensed professional, using such potent products can be a recipe for disaster. You run the risk of developing inflammation, pigment irregularities, burns and even scarring. A practitioner is well-versed at knowing which acid is safe for treating a particular skin condition or skin type. The aftercare is just as important when using a chemical peel and proper instruction is needed.

Avoid professional-grade products and instead use peels and masks formulated especially for at-home use – they’re usually gentler and don’t have the same risks associated with them that professional products do. For an exfoliating peel with a kick, try the Peel2Glow Beauty and Boost which contains alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) to gently dissolve dead skin cells to reveal a brighter complexion underneath.

Attempting extractions by yourself

Extractions are an art meant for in-clinic settings only. Going wild on your at-home facial can often exacerbate the problem and can even lead to scarring and infection

Squeezing or picking spots can first and foremost lead to the spread of bacteria and, ultimately, more acne. If the extraction isn’t done correctly, it can drive the sebum deeper into the pore, causing even more of a problem.

To help bring pimples to a head, try a targeted spot treatment such as the SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Masque which combines natural earth clays and botanicals to unclog pores, remove impurities and balance oil production. SkinCeuticals Blemish and Age Defense Serum is another excellent option for controlling acne breakouts. By combining Salicylic Acid with Dioic Acid, the serum actively reduces the severity of breakouts by preventing excessive sebum production, decongesting the pores and minimising inflammation.

Combining too many active ingredients

The biggest perk of getting an in-clinic facial is the layering of products and treatments that work in tandem with each other. Professionals are trained to know which ingredients work well together, and which you should never combine.

As a general rule, only use one active product during any facial; otherwise, you can risk potential inflammation, sensitivity and even burns or scarring. Start by cleansing with a gentle product, then use an AHA- such as glycolic or lactic acid- as your primary treatment. You can then finish with non-active hydrators packed with ceramides or hyaluronic acid – our favourite is the SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier which locks in moisture leaving the skin plump, firm and radiant.

Some Ingredients you shouldn’t combine at home include the following:

• retinol and AHAs
• retinol and beta hydroxy acids (BHA)
• retinol and benzoyl peroxide
• retinol and salicylic acid
• salicylic acid and AHAs
• vitamin C and BHA
• vitamin C and AHAs

Which ingredients should you be injecting into your at-home regime? Dr Shotter can help you devise an at-home facial tailored specifically to your concerns and skin type, book your consultation here.