Home beauty and self-care pampering has become even more popular post-covid. After enduring months of virtually no social interactions beyond family, and the closing of so many spas and other places of business where one would usually go to get hands-on personal care, many turned to self-care in their own homes.

It seems to have stuck a bit too, because there is still a huge market for self-care at home. It’s a lot more affordable, and unless you are really craving the touch of an experienced technician, it can feel just about as good. The only exception is massage. But even massage can be done by a machine – it just doesn’t feel quite as nourishing and therapeutic as human hands!

Facial Treatments – Masks!

This market has literally exploded over the past few years. You can now buy so many different types of easily-applied facial masks at home that really make your skin feel like they just had a spa-quality treatment for a hundred bucks or more. Related: Saving Money on Beauty and Personal Care

The possibilities are endless. You can buy masks that come right out of the package ready to be laid on your face. They include masks infused with topical collagen, masks aimed at clearing acne-prone skin, masks that contain hyaluronic acid, which helps to plump the skin and intensively moisturize, and masks intended to infuse various vitamins and minerals into the skin.

If you’re not into laying a sheet with holes poked out for the eyes, then you can also choose from a wide variety of masks that come in a jar and are applied by hand. These come in many forms. The most common is usually some sort of paste that adheres easily to the skin, but it can also come in gel or cream form.

My personal favorites in this arena are the past format that help clarify the skin and draw impurities out. I love a good clay mask that is nondrying but that also helps to purify the skin. Since I’m still acne prone even at almost 50 years old, this really helps to keep my oily, acne-prone skin clear of blemishes and also helps to illuminate by removing dead skin cells and dulling deposits that clog the pores.

Peels – Enzyme and Acid Types

Another popular option is facial peels that target the outer layer of skin and aim to exfoliate this top layer to expose a fresh layer of glowing skin. You may think your skin is too sensitive for an option like this, however they formulate these types of peels for all skin types.

If you’re looking for one that targets sensitive and potentially acne prone skin, try one with salicylic acid. This is a gentle enough type of acid that won’t excessively dry or irritate sensitive skin. Related: The Best Naturally Antibacterial Oils for Acne

Another good option for sensitive skin is lactic acid. Lactic acid really softens the skin more than anything. It’s not too stripping or harsh, and is excellent for a nice softened refreshment of the outermost layer of skin.

Enzyme peels are usually pretty mild too. Most of these utilize some sort of natural fruit enzyme like pineapple or papaya, and they help loosen up that outer skin layer so that it can be easily removed without excess irritation.

Heavier Acid Peels for Thick Skin

Now if you have very tough or thick skin and you like to live a little more dangerously, there are heavier peel options available that employ acids that remove more dead skin cells. However you have to be really careful with these and read the direction on how to dilute them as well as how long to leave them on before neutralizing them.

These options included acids like TCA (trichloracetic acid) and glycolic acid. There are also some deeper, higher concentrations of alpha hydroxy acids that will get deeper into the skin layers to remove more dead cells. Be prepared for your skin to look worse before it looks better with these deeper peel options though.

They can really make your skin look red and irritated for a few days after application. You also have to use with great care to avoid going too deep and potentially scarring or discoloring your skin on a more permanent basis. It’s a delicate balancing act with the deeper peels, so if you’re unsure, stick with the lighter peel options or see a professional if you want something deeper.

Skin Polish – Great for High Frequency Application

If you want a nice refresh that you can apply on a more frequent basis, try a skin polish. Skin polishes are usually formulated with beads or granules that gently exfoliate as a cream or gel base infused with vitamins, minerals and other fatty acids or moisturizing agents, nourish the skin with moisture and other healing elements.

Stay tuned for our next chapter on Home Beauty Care!