How to Save $264 a Year on Beauty Treatments
Learn how to extend the life of your haircut, facial, manicure and more
How to make your facial last
Expert: Renée Rouleau, celebrity esthetician and skin care expertFacials are important for maintaining healthy skin as they can "stimulate cell renewal, remove dry skin, break down stubborn discoloration (brown spots), and fade post-breakout red/brown marks," says Rouleau. Unfortunately at $65 to $600 a pop, they don't come cheap. Rouleau recommends getting one every four to six weeks, but with her tips, you can cut back to four times a year, once a season.
Tip 1: Avoid harsh cleansers. "What you wash with is the most important part of your skin care routine. Why? If you wash with a foaming cleanser or soap that is too drying, it pulls all the water out of the skin and creates dead, dry skin cell buildup," says Rouleau. When it comes to choosing a face wash, "always remember, more lather, more drying. Less lather, less drying," she says. She also advises to avoid any cleansers formulated with an ingredient called Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, which will cut the natural oil from your skin.
Tip 2: Use a toner and make sure it’s alcohol-free. Toners give your skin a drink of moisture and remove drying chlorines and minerals found in tap water. They also balance the PH levels in your skin, enhancing the results of your skin care program, says Rouleau. "Supplying the skin with essential hydration and nutrients will repair the skin’s protective barrier making it less sensitive and resistant to environmental damage," she says, therefore you'll be able to see your facialist a little less often.
Next: At-home facial tips
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