Last updated : Thursday, June 18, 2009

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Facial Tips from a Top Spa

woman with cucumber slices on her eyes

There's nothing better than a week-long spa vacation. But in this day and age, it's hard to find the time, and harder to find the cash. So we asked the beauty director of one of the country's top spas, to give us her tips on doing it yourself. From Canyon Ranch to your bathroom, here are the at home facial steps that Laura Hittleman recommends.

Step 1: Stat by creating a calming and soothing environment by putting on relaxing music, dimming the lights and lighting a few candles.

Step 2: Cleansing the skin is the most important step in your at-home facial. This process will remove the dirt and oil which blocks pores that can lead to a breakout. Choose a cleanser that is non-drying with a creamy consistency like the Canyon Ranch Your Transformation Vitality Cleansing Cream which removes not only daily buildup but also make-up. Remember to take the cleanser all the way down to your decolletage. Recommended ingredients to look for in a cleanser are Sweet Almond and Avocado Oil, Vitamins A & E and Moringa Seed Extract, as these will provide conditioning, softening and emollient benefits. Apply to moistened skin using a circular motion and rinse thoroughly with tepid water.

Step 3: This process will sweep away dirt and clear blocked and clogged pores. Use an exfoliation scrub with a physical agent such as spherical jojoba beads to gently slough away the dead skin. Be careful to avoid scrubs with rough ingredients like crushed-up pits of fruits that can create little micro-tears in the skin. Try the Canyon Ranch Your Transformation Radiance Facial Scrub which has spherical jojoba beads and Aloe Vera, Caffeine and Natural Oat to soothe, calm and stimulate. Apply to moistened skin with gentle circular motions using fingertips and rinse thoroughly with tepid water. Be sure to avoid the eye area.

Step 4: For normal to oily skin, use a clay based mask to draw and remove impurities from the skin. For normal to dry skin, use a moisturizing mask to hydrate, plump and firm. Ingredients to look for in a clay based mask include Clay, Aloe Vera and Green Tea for soothing, drawing and antioxidant benefits. Ingredients to look for in a moisturizing mask include Sweet Almond Oil, Rice Bran Oil and and Omega-6 Fatty Acid which seal in moisture while conditioning and softening skin. A good one to try is the Canyon Ranch Your Transformation Recovery Intensive Moisture Mask. Apply a liberal layer to cleansed skin and let sit for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with tepid water.

Step 5: This is the best time to apply your serums as the skin is prepped and ready to accept a dose of vitamins and nutrients. Our Canyon Ranch Your Transformation Age Transforming Concentrate Serum contains a multi patented bio-active form of Vitamin B3, called "ProNAD", which was developed in conjunction with award-winning University of Arizona scientists and was selected by the National Cancer Institute for study as a potential skin cancer prevention agent. This remarkable Vitamin B3 molecule is clinically proven to help repair and prevent the visible signs of skin damage while strengthening the skin barrier and warding off future damage. Lines begin to blur, elasticity surges and skin lifts to visibly transform. Apply a pea-sized amount to the entire face and let absorb for a few minutes before applying a day or night cream.

Step 6: Always apply a facial moisturizer with SPF 30, if daytime, to prevent sun damage. Look for a physical sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection against UVA/UVB rays with micronized Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. Canyon Ranch Your Transformation Protect UVA/UVB SPF 30 Facial Moisturizer not only protects skin with sunscreen but also helps to prevent future damage from occurring. Apply liberally to exposed areas before going out in the sun.

Step 7: In the evening, use a night cream like the Canyon Ranch Your Transformation Restore Intensive Moisture for more awakened, luminous skin. The nighttime is the best time to hydrate and repair your skin. Ingredients to look for are Vitamins A & E, Sodium Hyaluronate, Soy Protein and Manuka Honey. These will instantly plump, hydrate and help repair skin. Massage into face, neck and chest.

Follow these steps and you'll feel like you went to a top-notch spa. That is, until you leave the bathroom! For more Do-It-Yourself treatments check out the rest of our special series. And don't forget to visit our Beauty-Full Blog for the inside scoop on our favorite products for hair, skin and nails!

As Corporate Director of Beauty Services, Laura Hittleman oversees the skin care and salon services at all of Canyon Ranch's properties as well as lead the development of the new Canyon Ranch Your Transformation skin care line. With over 20 years in the industry, she is a licensed aesthetician and is based at Canyon Ranch's corporate headquarters in Tucson, AZ.

 

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