How To: Give Yourself a Facial

Step One: Prep

Gather your supplies. You’ll need baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and some herbs to add to your steam.

Step Two: Cleanse

Baking soda and water are all you need for a little deep pore cleansing with light exfoliation. Mix two teaspoons of baking soda with one teaspoon of water into a paste. Using circular motions, massage the mixture onto your face for one minute, and then rinse to remove pore-clogging dead skin cells.

Step Three: Steam

Bring water to a boil, remove it from heat, and customize your steam facial for your skin type by adding fresh or dried herbs to the water. We’re using parsley because it acts as a natural astringent, drawing out toxins and impurities in pores. If your skin is dry or sensitive, try soothing chamomile instead. Licorice root and mint are also great detoxifiers for all skin types. Lean over the water basin, keeping your face about 12 inches from the water, and drape a towel over your head to create a tent. Steam your face for about five to 10 minutes to clear out your pores.

Step Four: Dry

Pat your skin dry with a clean towel, preferably a gentle bamboo towel like Stacked Skincare by Kerry Benjamin’s 100% Bamboo Face Towels ($42 for 7).

Step Five: Tone

Now that the dirt and impurities have been loosened from your pores, wipe it all away with a natural toner. Apple cider vinegar is an antiseptic and an antibacterial that balances the pH of your skin while it gently exfoliates to keep pores clean. Just mix equal parts ACV and filtered water (or use one part ACV and two parts water if your skin is sensitive), and apply the toner using a cotton pad.

Step Six: Moisturize

Finish off your facial by applying the moisturizer of your choice. If you want to stick to the all-natural route, use a bit of vitamin E rich organic coconut oil.

Via Byrdie.com