There’s nothing quite like the bliss and confidence you get stepping out from a good facial treatment. In Singapore, where tropical heat and urban pollution can easily wreck havoc on one’s complexion, a consistent facial routine blitzes your complexion right back into balance and glow.

But let’s get real. Skin treats, especially efficacious ones, aren’t exactly pocket-friendly. Maintaining monthly appointments means dipping into disposable cash for other leisurely pursuits.

The solution for making your spa treatment more bang-for-buck is to keep your skin in tip-top condition post-facial. If you get your skincare routine right, this can help prolong intervals between appointments. Plus, you can think of these good habits as an everyday, uber affordable facial.

Right after your facial treatment

Even if you feel like a million bucks right after you leave the spa, your skin is anything but.

After an intense session of cleansing, exfoliation and extraction, your skin is more delicate than ever. Pores are open (and susceptible to bacterial invasion) and your capillaries (those tiny blood vessels under the skin) can easily break from an absent-minded scratch. 

This is why in the first week following your facial, you should keep your skincare routine simple and gentle.

1 | Keep your hands away

As tempting as it is to feel the suppleness of your rejuvenated skin or go over the unpopped zits that your facialist skipped, resist the urge to touch your face, especially right after your treatment.

Your skin is at its most tender state so give it time to regain balance. Also, be extra gentle when cleansing your face—no tugging please!

2 | Keep makeup as light as possible

Makeup products, from your blusher and foundation to eyeshadow and brushes, are a known breeding ground for bacteria. Keep your face paint light so you don’t introduce nasty germs into those cleansed, open pores and cause a breakout. 

Give your brushes a thorough wash with shampoo and water and change out overused sponges and blenders. During this time, you may want to only use your newer (cleaner) products instead of that long-forgotten blusher at the bottom of your makeup pouch.  

In the same vein, you may also like to use a fresh pillowcase and towels to keep your face squeaky clean!

3 | Stay away from the sun

Freshly exfoliated skin is especially prone to UV damage so you may wish to reschedule your outing to Tanjong Beach. Infamously, UV rays can accelerate signs of ageing such as hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and sagging and increase your risk of skin cancer.

So obtain your dose of vitamin D in the early morning or late afternoon and in short intervals. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen before heading out too. 

4 | Avoid exfoliants

As your skin has already gone through an intensive round of exfoliation, you can skip this step at home for a week after your facial treatment. Any more scrubbing can cause skin injury such as broken capillaries.  

5 | Choose products that calm and protect the skin

Temporarily skip alcohol-based toners and peels that may contain ingredients like retinol and salicylic acid—they may dry and irritate skin during this time. Instead opt for gentle products such as cream cleansers and soothing water-based formulations. The only kind of acid you should be putting on your face during this time is hyaluronic acid, known for holding moisture in the skin.

If you are unsure, simply ask your therapist what you should use and if your current products are suitable post-facial.

Day 7 onwards

1 | You can resume using scrubs and acids

After your skin has had time to calm down (give it a few days), it will be safe to exfoliate once a week and return to acid peels. Doing so allows your skin to absorb maximum results from your serums, moisturisers and masks. Plus, by buffing away dead skin cells, your complexion looks brighter and more radiant overall. 

2 | Use products that suit your skin

Keep in mind that your skin needs evolve over time—products that have served you well in your 20s will probably not be efficacious enough in your 30s and 40s when you need a more intensive anti-ageing and skin brightening regimen. 

So take a good look at your skincare routine and products and decide, ideally with your facialist, if it’s time to make some changes.

3 | Drink up

While a good facial moisturiser contributes to healthy skin, we can’t overstate the importance of hydrating from the inside out. Water keeps all of your cells (including skin) function efficiently so half the battle is won when you get your eight glasses a day.

Consume caffeinated drinks and alcohol in moderation as they are known to be diuretic (makes your body lose water). While those with a sweet tooth may protest - it is high time to cut down on sugary beverages and desserts. Sugar is known to cause skin damage through glycation—a process where blood sugar leads to the production of harmful free radicals. 

4 | Make your next facial appointment

If you are conscientious in your daily skincare routine, you might just be able to get away with a facial every two months. A good indicator comes from how smoothly your makeup goes onto your skin. When you start to notice flakiness, an uneven skin tone or just increasing dullness, it is probably time to pick up the phone. 

The bottomline

The three most important pillars of any skincare routine - cleanse, moisturise and protect (with sunscreen). If the frills such as multi-masking or elaborate routines are too much for you, at least stick to these basic steps. 

Don’t underestimate the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Cutting back on processed and salty food, increasing your intake of nutrients-rich vegetables and incorporating more exercise into your life will help you load up on essential vitamins for healthy skin functions and boost circulation for increased radiance. 

Last but not least, it is extremely helpful to stay loyal to a facial therapist who understands your skin condition, its unique sensitivities and even your lifestyle habits. This way, she can provide tailored advice that will serve you in the long run.

If you’d like to arrange for a complimentary, personalized Skincare Concierge session, get in touch with us at hello@thefirstrefresh.com.