Going deep: From spa treatments to at-home exfoliation, 5 ways to keep your skin clean and hydrated
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Now that hot summer days are only a distant memory, our skin is taking a major hit. As the humidity in the air continues to dwindle, so does our skin’s natural moisture barrier—which leads to flakiness, the over-production of oil and, worst of all, blemishes. Congested skin is hardly an enjoyable way to start the season, so fight back with a deep cleaning. From at-home exfoliation to heavy-duty spa treatments, we’ve rounded up five ways to really deep clean your skin—while ensuring it stays hydrated and healthy.
Cleanse
Tis the season to try an oil cleanser! It may seem counterintuitive to wash your face with oil (especially if you have oily skin) but oil cleansers are a great way to maintain your skin’s natural moisture levels. They are extremely gentle and many do not contain harsh chemicals or other ingredients that can strip skin of its natural sebum. After all, when you have too little sebum, it overproduces to compensate, resulting in clogged pores and pimples. One to try: the Dior Instant Gentle Cleansing Oil ($40, sephora.com). It’s formulated with pure lily extract, which aids in the tightening and smoothing of skin.
Exfoliate
Exfoliation is a tried-and-true method of deep-cleaning the skin, but finding a exfoliator that’s ideal for frequent use—i.e. doesn’t leave your skin feeling raw—can be difficult. Nuxe Paris Gelee Exfoliante Douce ($23, at drugstores) is a gentle exfoliating gel safe for all skin types that can be used regularly. Best of all, it’s infused with dried rose petals that aid in the effective removal of dead skin cells, all while emitting a lovely floral scent.
Tone
Many deep cleaning toners, especially those with tingle-causing, acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, can lead to dryness. Give your skin a break with a deep cleaning, yet gentle, toner like Stemulation AHA Herbal Balancing Toner ($38, stemulation.com). This toner contains soothing ingredients like cucumber extract, witch hazel extract, and green tea extract—all of which accelerate healing and prep your skin to absorb serums and lotions more effectively.
Mask
With so many options, selecting the right mask can be difficult. However, if it’s a deep cleaning you’re after, the Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask ($65, sephora.com) is a unique option. Once distributed evenly onto damp skin, the citrusy gel formula morphs into thick, frothy foam mask that actually releases oxygen into the skin. Within a few short minutes can be washed off to reveal fresh, firm and rejuvenated skin.
Treatment
Sometimes, skin becomes extremely congested and at-home options just don’t cut it. For the ultimate deep cleaning skin, head to a salon and try a HydraFacial treatment ($149, beautybarlaserclinic.com). This extreme facial is only administered at medi-spas and consists of a tiny, but very powerful, vacuum-like tool that literally sucks out all of the impurities from the skin and totally de-clogs your pores. The results are instant and can be seen immediately after the treatment. To demonstrate just how effective the treatment is, the technician ends the facial by revealing a canister of water filled with all the impurities expunged from your skin. It’s like admiring the results of a Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strip… only much more dramatic.
Special offer for FASHIONMagazine.com readers: Mention this post when booking your HydraFacial at Beauty Bar Laser Clinic and receive the treatment for only $99!
 but oil cleansers are a great way to maintain your skin’s natural moisture levels. They are extremely gentle and many do not contain harsh chemicals or other ingredients that can strip skin of its natural sebum. After all, when you have too little sebum, it overproduces to compensate, resulting in clogged pores and pimples. One to try: the Dior Instant Gentle Cleansing Oil ($40, sephora.com). It's formulated with pure lily extract, which aids in the tightening and smoothing of skin.
Exfoliate
Exfoliation is a tried-and-true method of deep-cleaning the skin, but finding a exfoliator that's ideal for frequent use—i.e. doesn’t leave your skin feeling raw—can be difficult. Nuxe Paris Gelee Exfoliante Douce ($23, at drugstores) is a gentle exfoliating gel safe for all skin types that can be used regularly. Best of all, it’s infused with dried rose petals that aid in the effective removal of dead skin cells, all while emitting a lovely floral scent.
Tone
Many deep cleaning toners, especially those with tingle-causing, acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, can lead to dryness. Give your skin a break with a deep cleaning, yet gentle, toner like Stemulation AHA Herbal Balancing Toner ($38, stemulation.com). This toner contains soothing ingredients like cucumber extract, witch hazel extract, and green tea extract—all of which accelerate healing and prep your skin to absorb serums and lotions more effectively.
Mask
With so many options, selecting the right mask can be difficult. However, if it's a deep cleaning you're after, the Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask ($65, sephora.com) is a unique option. Once distributed evenly onto damp skin, the citrusy gel formula morphs into thick, frothy foam mask that actually releases oxygen into the skin. Within a few short minutes can be washed off to reveal fresh, firm and rejuvenated skin.
Treatment
Sometimes, skin becomes extremely congested and at-home options just don't cut it. For the ultimate deep cleaning skin, head to a salon and try a HydraFacial treatment ($149, beautybarlaserclinic.com). This extreme facial is only administered at medi-spas and consists of a tiny, but very powerful, vacuum-like tool that literally sucks out all of the impurities from the skin and totally de-clogs your pores. The results are instant and can be seen immediately after the treatment. To demonstrate just how effective the treatment is, the technician ends the facial by revealing a canister of water filled with all the impurities expunged from your skin. It’s like admiring the results of a Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strip… only much more dramatic.
Special offer for FASHIONMagazine.com readers: Mention this post when booking your HydraFacial at Beauty Bar Laser Clinic and receive the treatment for only $99!
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