I've Perfected How to DIY a Facial at Home—Here's Everything You Need to Elevate the Experience

Using this brush is my favorite part of my DIY facials. It takes my everyday face wash routine and makes it feel like a luxury, thanks to the sonic vibrations that help my cleanser reach a little deeper, setting the stage for what I truly believe is always the best part of a facial: extractions.

I have to come clean: I’m a do-as-I-say-and-not-as-I-do kind of person. Why? Because I absolutely pop my pimples. I know, I know, I’m a bad beauty writer. In my defense, I’ve been trying to be better about it, and that’s where the Dermpore comes in. It’s a spatula that helps clear clogged pores, and I have to say, it’s made a world of difference in easing up on the picking. It’s my favorite tool for at-home extractions, and if you also struggle with picking at your skin, I highly recommend grabbing one to help keep your skin clear while skipping the potential hyperpigmentation that comes with using your fingers.

I don’t do this for every session, but I love a good peel to help exfoliate and resurface my skin. Obviously, I can’t get my hands on the more intensive, professional-grade versions, but these Obagi Clenziderm pads come pretty close. A combination of glycolic, phytic, salicylic, and mandelic acids helps smooth uneven texture and fine lines, decongest the skin, and refine visible pores, all while reducing discoloration. Plus, my sensitive skin doesn’t tend to react to this formula, which is a big win for me.

If I don’t opt for an LED mask at the end of my routine, I typically use a sheet mask. When using peels or any type of more intensive resurfacing product, I like to keep the rest of my routine simple. Recently, I’ve been using the Biodance Ceranol face mask, and not only does it leave my skin with the brand’s signature glassy glow, but it also delivers a hydrating, calming dose of glacial water, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and D-panthenol. TL;DR: it’s like a drink of water and a hug for your skin.

I came across this lotion on a trip to Paris, and I’ve been holding on to it for dear life ever since. Imagine my surprise when I found out that not only can I get this formula stateside, but it’s as easy as taking a trip to Walmart. Urea is a fantastic ingredient to help keep your skin barrier intact, and when temperatures start to drop outside (which causes your skin to lose moisture much more quickly), I slather this lotion on from head to toe with glee. Not only is it deeply nourishing, but it also doesn’t leave the sticky residue some lotions do, making it perfect for anyone with pesky sensory issues.

Speaking of moisture, if I’m feeling particularly dry, I pair my lotion with a body oil, and lately this one from Iota has been my obsession. Not only does it smell fantastic thanks to the Purple Orchid and Vanilla scent, but it also includes white truffle to support skin elasticity, diamond powder for a healthy glow, and pre- and post-biotics to help the skin’s microbiome flourish. Tack on an eight-oil blend (argan, algae, sweet almond, olive oil, and more), and you have a luxury body oil that makes your skin actually feel as soft as it’s going to look.

I discovered this cream about two years ago, and I’ve sworn by it ever since. Urea is one of the most hydrating ingredients on the market, and it comes in a whopping 40 percent concentration in this formula. Glycerin, safflower seed oil, propanediol, and more emollient, hydrating ingredients make up the rest of the formula, and after a good exfoliation in the shower, I love slathering on a thick layer of this cream and letting my feet marinate in the goodness.

No spa day is complete without my favorite wellness gadgets, and I swear by my LED light therapy. I typically use my Celluma Mystique if my at-home spa day falls on a weekend, as it’s a slightly longer session (30 minutes) than other devices I’ve used. Still, Celluma is a grade-A LED brand, and it helps not only to treat acne and fine lines but has also been FDA-cleared for pain management, body contouring, and even hair growth. I love the Mystique because it treats the face and hair simultaneously, but there are plenty of other options to choose from depending on your needs.

A wellness gadget I'll add to my routine is this LED mat from HigherDose. I’ve enjoyed the benefits of LED for my face for so long that I started looking into ways to incorporate it into my body routine as well. In my research, I came across HigherDose’s Full Body Red Light Mat, which the brand claims supports skin, mood, muscle recovery, and circadian balance. A full-body red light session after my everything shower and at-home facial? I might actually levitate to heaven.