Whether your skin is suffering the effects of fluctuating summer temperatures, or you have a big event coming up that calls for a little extra TLC, a professional facial will pay dividends when it comes to your complexion. Priming your skin with pampering products, high-tech tools and muscle stimulating massage can help to take your regular routine up a notch, and with so many different treatments to choose from, we sought out the best facials for your needs.
Best for…pampering
Lush Validation Facial
The spa at Lush, the British handmade cosmetics brand best known for its technicolor bath bomb range, is a haven of heavenly scents. And the signature Validation Facial uses the finest goodies from the Lush line. The bespoke treatment is tailored to your specific skin needs, with enriching oils, clays and buttery products applied to the skin as soothing sounds play in the background. Bliss! Available at Lush Spas nationwide, £95, for 60 minutes, lush.com
Best for…quick results
Full Face HIIT Online Class
If you’re after a treatment that offers immediate results, FaceGym’s impressive lifting and plumping techniques are just the ticket. Unlike a traditional facial, FaceGym’s treatments are a workout for your face which target all 40 facial muscles through high energy kneading movements together with hardworking products that work together to tighten and brighten skin.
Sign up to an online FaceGym class via Zoom where you are taught the moves. A FaceGym trainer will take you through a HIIT class – a high intensity warm up, cardio sculpt and cool down for the entire face. You’ll be cheek squatting, chin whipping and learning how to perfect a face pull-up. Short-term results are noticeable after one session, £10 for 30 minutes, facegym.com
Best for…problem skin
Esse Live Probiotic Facial
There’s a growing body of evidence that the state of our gut microbiome affects our physical health. Red, inflamed and irritated skin can be a sign that levels of intestinal bacteria are low and beauty products that are formulated with probiotics are thought to help problem skin by calming and soothing. Conventional skincare can adversely affect the skin’s natural microbiome and strip it of these powerful microorganisms that protect and balance the skin. This no-nonsense facial incorporates organic, probiotic ingredients charged with billions of bacteria to hydrate, soothe and renew the complexion, dampening down inflammation and slowing down the ageing process. After a soothing lifting massage, skin is then covered with billions of live microbes containing three species of living lactobacillus bacteria, then slathered in a face mask which provides the perfect environment for bacteria to colonise. To finish, a slew of products are applied to lock in moisture. Available at selected spas nationwide, £80 for 120 minutes, esseskincare.co.uk
Best for…balancing wellbeing
Elemental Herbology Five Element Facial
The elements of nature (earth, water, fire, air and space) are thought to lie inside and outside our bodies. An imbalance of these elements in the body can trigger mental and physical unrest so the premise behind this facial is to perfectly balance each element for enhanced wellbeing. The personalised treatment involves being paired with the most suitable element to address underlying concerns of the skin and then skin is primed with an array of luxury Elemental Herbology products to restore a dewy radiance. Available at selected spas nationwide, £100 for 60 minutes, elementalherbology.com and royalcrescent.co.uk
Best for…glowing skin
Espa Active Nutrients Glow From Within Facial
This targeted treatment uses luxury ESPA products to get your complexion looking instantly healthier. It fuses together the ancient Chinese healing technique gua sha which involves massaging the skin with long strokes to stimulate circulation in the tissue, with steaming, exfoliation and a double mask to maximise results. Your body, mind and skin feel renewed while your face has a lit-fromwithin luminosity. Amazing! Available at selected spas nationwide. Priced from £100 for 60 minutes, espaskincare.com
Best for…firming and sculpting
001 Bespoke Intensive Sculpt-Current Facial
This treatment uses tech micro-currents to increase intra-cellular activities to firm and tighten muscles and connective tissues combined with the unique TCM meridien stimulation to truly align your skin and wellbeing. The results speak for themselves! Think to-die-for defined cheekbones, raised eyebrows and an undeniable radiance. Available at 001 Skincare Clinic in London, £285, for 90 minutes, 001skincare.com
3 Home SPA essentials
Create your own beauty rituals with these top buys
1 Olixa Rose Quartz Gua Sha Facial Massage Tool
Massage skin with this centuriesold- inspired beauty tool which helps to increase circulation and aid lymphatic drainage. £25, olixabeauty.com
2 Q+A Vitamin A.C.E Warming Gel Mask
With 10 types of super fruits, avocado oil and betacarotene rich micro-algae, this cruelty-free gel mask is a godsend for oily and stressed out skin. £8.50, Holland & Barrett stores
3 Hemsley Organics Age Defying Day Cream
This reiki-charged daily moisturiser helps to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and restores skin to its youthful glow. £35, hemsley organics.com
