Finding the right facial for acne-prone skin can make a dramatic difference in the health and appearance of your complexion. With customized extractions, deep pore cleansing, and hydrating masks, professional facials aim to prevent and treat acne outbreaks. But not all facials are created equal when it comes to tackling different types of acne. Here we reveal the 5 best facials to clear everything from hormonal breakouts to cystic bumps.
Oily and Congested Skin
Meta description: Discover the most effective facials for oily, clogged skin prone to regular acne breakouts and blackheads.
For those with persistently oily and congested skin, regular acne is often an ongoing battle. Excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells and debris to clog pores and create the perfect environment for pimples. Facials tailored to oily skin focus on deep cleansing, exfoliation, and extractions to reveal a clearer complexion.
Hydrafacial
A Hydrafacial uses a vacuum-like tool to deeply cleanse and extract impurities from the skin. Serums filled with antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid are also worked into the skin to hydrate and nourish. This facial is gentle enough for frequent treatments but still provides a deep clean.
Vitamin C Facial
Vitamin C brightens dull complexions and has natural oil-fighting properties. A vitamin C facial will likely include a cleanse, steam, extractions, and a vitamin C masque to mattify the skin and neutralize acne-causing bacteria. It’s an ideal choice for oily skin prone to breakouts.
Blue Light Facial
Exposure to blue LED light has an anti-inflammatory effect that can help to heal and prevent acne. A blue light facial directs this light onto the skin to kill acne bacteria after extractions. For severe oily acne, combine blue light with photodynamic therapy for enhanced results.
Hormonal Acne
Meta description: Regain control over monthly hormonal breakouts with these effective facials for cleansing and calming acneic skin.
Hormonal fluctuations associated with menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause can trigger monthly acne flare-ups, especially along the jawline and lower face. Because hormonal pimples form deep within the skin, traditional extractions and topical products can only do so much. Get to the root of recurring monthly breakouts with these hormonal-balancing facials.
Detoxifying Facial
A detoxifying facial helps purify skin and remove toxins through the use of cleansing clays, anti-inflammatory botanicals, and massage techniques. Improving circulation and lymphatic drainage can help regulate hormonal acne. Extractions also help relieve congestion.
Explore a deep pore cleansing facial for a specialized approach to achieve clear, radiant skin
Green Tea Facial
The antioxidants in green tea soothe inflammation that comes with hormonal acne. A green tea facial typically involves a green tea-infused cleanser, toner, steam and mask. Some providers also incorporate green tea extracts into customized facial serums to reduce acne.
Acupuncture Facial
Yes, needles in the face! Acupuncture works to unblock energy and improve hormonal balance. Tiny needles are placed along acupressure points to pinpoint the root cause of inflamed, cystic acne tied to monthly hormonal swings. Results are enhanced by combining with corrective serums, extractions, LED light, and gua sha massage.
Cystic Acne
Meta description: Treat painful cystic breakouts with targeted extraction facials to clear congestion, decrease inflammation, and prevent scarring.
Cystic acne occurs when acne bacteria get trapped deep in the skin, causing tender, inflamed bumps that feel like knots under the skin. While difficult to treat topically, customized facials can help decrease the frequency and severity of cystic outbreaks.
Acne Facial with Extractions
Facials featuring extractions are key for relieving congested cystic acne. Using specialized tools, an esthetician will thoroughly extract comedones and cystic lesions to clear current bumps and prevent new ones from forming. Combining with corrective serums and LED will enhance the results.
Chemical Peels
A series of gentle chemical peels can help cystic acne by exfoliating dead skin cells, reducing inflammation and scarring, and allowing products to better penetrate. Options like mandelic acid or salicylic acid work well for active breakouts. Repeat treatments boost results.
Cortisone Shot Facials
For quick relief of a painful, swollen cyst, some dermatologists and estheticians perform cortisone injections to rapidly shrink bumps. Cortisone works to decrease inflammation. Extractions and peel treatments can be incorporated to prevent future cysts.
Teen Acne
Meta description: Help teens manage difficult acne with these soothing, deep-cleansing facials to reduce breakouts without irritating their delicate skin.
Acne is extremely common during puberty, as rising hormones stimulate oil glands. Yet teens’ skin is also highly sensitive. Facials that balance cleansing with hydration and avoid irritation are ideal for aggravated adolescent acne.
Oxygen Facial
An oxygen facial delivers skin-soothing oxygen along with hydrating hyaluronic acid serums through micro-channels in the skin. This non-irritating facial can reduce redness and inflammation in teen acne. Monthly treatments offer ongoing improvements.
Red and Blue Light Facial
Alternating therapeutic wavelengths of red and blue LED light reduces acne bacteria while decreasing inflammation and irritation. Combining these color lights with gentle extractions improves results. It’s a non-invasive approach suitable for teen skin.
Fruit Enzyme Facial
Fruit acids like AHA naturally exfoliate and brighten the complexion without harsh ingredients. A fruit enzyme facial cleanses, exfoliates with fruit enzymes, extracts clogged pores, and applies a nourishing antioxidant mask to restore glow to irritated teen skin.
Dry & Sensitive Skin
Meta description: Soothe and rebalance dry, irritated complexions with these gentle yet effective acne and breakout facials for sensitive skin types.
Acne can be complicated by dryness and sensitivity that leaves skin red, flaky, and prone to irritation. Overly harsh acne products can worsen matters. A mild facial with soothing botanicals and hydrating masks helps reduce breakouts without stripping the skin.
Rose Quartz Gua Sha Facial
Gua sha massage techniques relax facial tension and increase blood circulation while a rose quartz stone simultaneously calms inflammation. Combined with a gentle enzyme exfoliation, mask and hydrating serum, it’s ideal for sensitive acneic skin.
Calming CBD Facial
CBD is packed with antioxidants and has natural anti-inflammatory properties to decrease redness. A CBD facial for acne utilizes CBD-infused cleansers, toners, and serums to reduce breakouts without irritation. CBD also helps balance oiliness in acne-prone skin.
Chamomile and Lavender Facial
Chamomile and lavender oils offer relaxation and skin-soothing effects. After light extractions, a facialist massages these oils into the skin before applying a soothing mask with kaolin clay to absorb oils without drying the skin. Helpful for acne paired with sensitivity.
Most Frequently Asked Acne Facial Questions
To help readers make informed skincare decisions, here are answers to some of the most common questions about facials for acne-prone complexions:
How often should I get a facial for acne?
- For active acne, aim for 1-2 facials per month. Frequency depends on severity – mild cases may need monthly maintenance while moderate acne benefits from bi-weekly sessions.
Do you tip for facials?
- Yes, it is customary to tip 15-20% of the total cost of the facial. Make sure to bring cash or check if the studio doesn’t already add gratuity.
Should I avoid facials during pregnancy?
- Not necessarily, but do let your esthetician know you’re pregnant. Certain ingredients or electrical modalities may be off limits. Opt for nourishing, pampering facials over ones involving harsh treatments. Always check with your OBGYN.
Will extractions make acne worse?
- Properly performed extractions remove congestion, but picking at skin can spread bacteria and cause more breakouts. Never attempt difficult extractions at home – leave it to a trained skin care professional for the best results.
What ingredients help fight acne?
- Look for facials featuring salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, tea tree oil, glycolic acid, sulfur, azelaic acid, nicinamide, and antibacterial botanicals like green tea, turmeric, and thyme.
A regular skin care regimen combined with targeted professional facials can help manage acne, leading to clearer, healthier skin long-term. When selecting an acne facial, be sure to consider your specific skin type and needs to find the best treatment. With a bit of trial and error and consistency with appointments, you’ll be on your way to diminished breakouts.
