My previous post covering at home facials gained a lot of traction, which tells me you all love skincare as much as me! Or maybe just the pampering aspect? Either way, let’s keep riding this self care train together. Men can follow my last at home facial guide, however as stated in my easy and affordable men’s skincare guide…they may need extra attention based on different skin conditions. My hubby honestly begs me for facials! He loves the warm steam and relaxing facial rub. This post is perfect for any man to do himself or for a couple‘s facial to do together!
How a Men’s At Home Facial may differ
- Facial Hair
The dreaded ingrown hairs can certainly cause more than just an uncomfortable lump. They can really prevent a healthy and shiny beard! During a facial, it is important to use certain products AND techniques to exfoliate the beard area. *Even if you don’t currently have any facial hair!* This area of the face will be prone to sensitivity and breakouts.
- May be newer to skincare
This is definitely not always true, however It is more often than not that men don’t have a good skincare routine. Where women may feel more comfortable venturing out, it may be difficult for some men to shop for skincare. Starting slow and working your way up to a regular routine is the recipe for success!
- Oilier skin
Yes, you men out there are prone to oilier skin. However, any facial should be catered to a person’s individual needs regardless of their sex. So, just be sure to understand your skin type first.
Steps to include in an at home Men’s Facial
Skip the spa and lets do this #quarantinestyle!
- Cleanser
- Exfoliant
- Mask and Steam
- Massage
- Finishing Products (moisturizer, eye cream, serum, etc.)
Important Tip: Be sure to complete this facial at least 24 hours before or after shaving! Doing these steps can really help you to get a cleaner shave, but you want to let the skin calm down a bit to not increase irritation. If done right after shaving, you can damage the skin by over exfoliating.
Cleanser
As I mentioned in my men’s skincare post, the best option is a gentle cleanser for everyday use. If makeup needs to be removed, you can opt for an oil based cleanser beforehand. Products don’t need to say “for men” to be used, as this often just comes with added fragrance. I always recommend looking for a gel or cream based cleanser with a pump, as this will be a great option for your regular routine and men’s at home facial!
The Cerave Hydrating or Foaming Facial Cleansers are great options for this first step.
I’ve also been asking my husband to test out the Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser. New blog post on Krave Beauty coming next week! It is very gentle and a great starting point for any spa treatment.
Exfoliant
For your daily skincare the Burt’s Bees toner is a great, gentle option for adding some salicylic acid in your routine. During the facial process, I would bump it up a notch!
Remember earlier when I said you need to use a good technique for your facial hair? If you are using either a liquid exfoliant or a scrub, be sure to get it in the beard area.
I suggest trying a stronger chemical exfoliant if your skin barrier allows! If you have dry or sensitive skin, then stick with this gentle scrub by Aveda that works great to gently slough off the dead skin. This works great if your skin needs a gentle exfoliation! If you have normal to oily skin, then give The Ordinary Peeling Solution AHA 30% + BHA 2% a try! I mentioned this in my viral Tik Tok Skincare post, and since then have been using it once a week. I did mention that this product is really not beginner friendly, so be careful with it and use a gentler option if you are super new to skincare.
Mask and Steamer
You already enjoy the warm, steamy shower so lets add it to your skincare routine. The mask step is probably the most fun because many men haven’t even tried a face mask before! There are so many to pick from, but these are my tips for picking out the perfect one:
During a facial, you have already exfoliated. If you used either the scrub or the peeling solution, your skin is rid of dead skin and built up oils. Therefore do not over do it!!
Choose any mask that is HYDRATING! Gentle, calming, soothing…all words to look for.
The La Roche Posay Hydrapahse mask is great for adding that extra drink of water to the skin. I have spoken about the Origins Hello, Calm mask before as it is one of my favorites for soothing the skin.
And don’t forget the steamer…
Use for 8-10 minutes and keep your face 10 inches away! **If your skin feels sensitive or is still tingly from the peeling solution then SKIP THIS STEP. Use cool water to calm the skin if needed.
Massage Time!
You can refer to my hands only facial massage demo here, or you can opt to use facial tools such as a jade roller or Gua sha!
Be sure to utilize a good facial oil when massaging, no matter which option you choose. Some good options would be the Organic Rosehip Seed Oil , Burt’s Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil, or the Wicked Soaps Green Facial Serum.
Facial oil/serums can be pricey, but these are all $15 and under options! Check out more natural and organic products I love by Wicked Soaps here.
Finishing Products
Now that you are all fresh and glowing, you can layer on some nighttime skincare. Again, refer to my guide for easy and affordable options. This step is super important to properly finish your at home men’s facial so your skin can reap the benefits of each step. This is how to properly layer each product:
- Eye Cream
- Serum
- Moisturizer
- Oil
Zach’s before and after…
And you’re all done! Remember to do this once a month for yourself and your skin health. If you need more help with products or technique, be sure to speak with a professional esthetician first for a consult. You can always contact me for help as well.
This at home facial really helps with Zach’s texture, acne scarring, and overall brightness. Combining this with good daily skincare, he is improving his skin health every day. Comment below what you think of his before and after!
As always, very interesting to read! Zach’s skin looks so fresh!
On another note, what eye cream would you suggest to get rid of bags and dark circles?
Thank you for reading! I would suggest trying the Ole Henrikson Banana Bright Eye Cream if you want more luxury, or you can try The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream. Both great brands found at sephora! Hope this helps 🙂
Skin looks so much brighter!