Esthetician’s Guide to Extending *That* Post-Facial Glow

Whether you can't stop looking in the mirror or, for some reason, you can't seem to stop feeling your ultra-soft face (a no-no, but we know, at times, you just can't help it), we all know the magic of a post-facial glow. But in the post, you also might be left wanting to extend that after facial look and feel for as long as possible.

To help solve this dilemma, we set out to find the perfect after-facial-care routine. With the help of our trusted advisor Mary Cook - an esthetician with over 15 years of experience and the founder of All About Skin Inc - we put together the top three things to include in your after facial care to preserve the effects of the treatment and recreate *that* glow at home.

Hint: What you don't do is just as important as what you do!

PROTECT YOUR SKIN

During a facial, there is typically some type of resurfacing or exfoliating treatment being performed to stimulate collagen and encourage cell turnover, leaving your face full of fresh skin cells. Because of this, your face is at one of its most vulnerable stages, so it is critical to protect the new, sensitive skin from UV damage which can lead to dark spots and skin cancer.

While SPF is always an essential for everyday skincare, using a high-quality sunscreen is a crucial step in your after-facial-care routine. You may also want to think about rescheduling your outdoor activities for another week so that you can keep your fresh face out of the sun. If you must head outside, you'll want to be sure to wear a hat or visor to give yourself some shade. By doing this you not only ensure that you maintain your post-facial glow for the days to come, but you are also promoting the longevity of your overall skin health.

HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE

Because your skin is fresh and vulnerable after exfoliation, you'll need to replenish both your skin and body to maintain a healthy and hydrated glow.

On top of making sure that you are drinking a healthy amount of water, your skin will need continued topical hydration. Mary recommends using both a serum, such as Jihi's Petal Milk, and a high-quality hydrator with really active/functional ingredients. A fantastic ingredient for nourishing and hydrating your freshly exfoliated skin is hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance that helps give skin a plump, glowing appearance.

Pro tip: Try adding a hyaluronic acid-based serum, like Petal Milk, to both your after-facial care routine, as well as your daily skincare regime to achieve a "that post-facial glow" around the clock.

GIVE YOUR SKIN SOME BREATHING ROOM

What you put on your skin during your after facial care is so important, but what you don't put on your skin is just as critical to understand. While adding hydration back to your skin and layering on the sunblock is essential, it's best to keep your skincare routine to a minimum and let your skin reset.

"Think about your skin. We've just removed a layer of dead skin. You have new, fresh, open skin. And you want to make sure that you aren't clogging your pores or suffocating your skin. It's important to give your face the time to do what it needs to do - heal and repair," says Mary. "You want to avoid using any retinoid for about three to five days, depending on how deep of resurfacing you've had done with your facial, and let your skin normalize before you get into those more accelerated ingredients or products." The same can be said for any deeper resurfacing treatments or products as your facial will have just given you great exfoliation and deep resurfacing.

Additionally, Mary recommends avoiding makeup for the rest of the day following your facial and, if possible, the day after, as many ingredients in common makeup products may have harmful ingredients. If you must apply some sort of coverage, a tinted mineral moisturizer will still allow your skin its necessary breathing room.

Now that you've preserved that ultimate glow, it might be time to add a little more magic to your after-facial care routine. We like to mix in this 12 step face massage to boost circulation and improve radiance, as well as bring a bit of the relaxation we experience during a facial into our daily lives!