Now is the perfect time of year for you to kick start your skin care routine, and what better way than to start off with a at home facial to save you time and salon prices. By investing in a few essential skin care products you can give yourself a facial once a month and be well on your way to beautiful skin.

Step 1 - Cleansing

This is the most basic and essential step to any good skin care routine.

A cream based cleanser such as Trilogy Cream Cleanser used with Dermalogica Exfoliating Facial Brush will remove any oil dirt and makeup build up from your skin very effectively allowing other products to work to their maximum benefit. A great tip is to use the brush in small circular movements from the bottom of your neck towards your forehead, this will help to improve circulation and give skin a ‘lift’. As the bush is working it is gently exfoliating your skin to lift off dead skin and reveal a brighter skin.

Finish off the cleansing step by washing off the cleanser with warm water and pat your face dry with a towel.

Use warm water to open up your pores and achieve a deep clean as cold water will have the opposite effect of closing your pores

Step 2 - Tone your skin

Now use a gentle alcohol free toner such as Darphin Intral Toner which is incredibly soothing, soaked onto a cotton pad and sweep over the face and neck area. This will remove any last traces of excess oil and help to close the pores.

Step 3 - Apply a mask

Apply a thick layer of a mask, for oily problematic skin Dermalogica Skin Refining Mask is a deep cleansing and purifying clay based formula, is recommended. For dry skin try Avene Moisture Mask, which is nourishing and moisturising with anti-irritant properties. If you want something to really firm and tone the skin Neals Yard Rejuvenating Frankincense Firming Mask is perfect. Avoid the eye area and don’t forget the neck area, and leave on for around ten minutes, now is the perfect time to sit back and put your feet up. Rinse off thoroughly with warm water and pat dry.

Step 4 - Apply a serum

A great hydrating serum to use is Bioderma Hydrabioserum, for oiler skins go for Darphin Skin Mat Balancing Serum. And for a more mature skin Vichy LiftActiv Youth Enhancing Serum is recommended. The serum is applied before moisturising as it penetrates deeper into the skin than a moisturiser, they are more concentrated and therefore more effective at addressing skin concerns.

Step 5 - Facial massage

Giving your face a massage , even just a quick one will help to boost lymphatic drainage helping to reduce the appearance of puffy eyes and aid circulation,

Place your fingers in the centre of your forehead and sweep outwards towards the temples

Tap your fingers gently around the eye socket to stimulate lymphatic drainage

Gently sweep from the bridge of the nose across the cheekbones and finally massage your neck with firm sweeping strokes.

Step 6

To finish off your facial apply a layer of your day or night cream, Vichy Aqualia Thermal moisturiser is suitable for dry skins, and for oiler skins try Vichy Normaderm Night Detox which is lighter and won’t clog pores.