For Christmas I was gifted a facial and/ or massage at Hand & Stone. I haven’t had a facial since I was in high school (I’m currently 27) so I chose that option. I didn’t know what to expect whatsoever as far as the treatments they would do or products they would use. I feel like I have a pretty good skincare routine down, so I was excited for the experience to learn more from the aesthetician and mostly for the relaxation aspect.
Here’s how the signature facial is described on their website:
Experience a dramatic difference in the quality and texture of your skin after just one visit. From basic skin maintenance to acne, rosacea, sun damage, scarring or aging, we offer a variety of facials to accommodate your needs. Our certified aesthetician will evaluate the condition of your skin and customize the treatment so you achieve the flowing complexion you’ve always wanted.
I was immediately impressed that they used Dermalogica brands, since I wasn’t sure if they had their own line of products. I like skincare products that focus on active ingredients rather than anything scented, and I feel like Dermalogica does well in that area. Many of the products that they use did have a lot of fragrance, so I’m not planning on incorporating them into my skincare routine. Usually Dermalogica is a bit out of my price range, so I immediately thought uh oh, this is going to make me want to spend some money on new products.
I was asked if I’d like her to explain what she was doing throughout the facial. That was a hard yes, I want to know everything and for her to give me any possibly advice from her expertise
I tried to take mental notes of the order she was applying products, but I was able to find the Dermalogica Hand & Stone protocol online, which was super nifty. She mainly did the Detox facial on me, with a few things switched up based on my skin. Love that she kept my particular needs in mind! Here’s the basic rundown of how it went:
Oil cleanse with Dermalogica Pre-Cleanse / First applied with dry hands then wetted to emulsify/ make it milky. This is the product I was most tempted to purchase. It feels like a super thin oil that spreads out easily, and can wash away with water. It was thinner than my current oil cleanser- Palmer’s, so I’ll be on the hunt for one with a thinner consistency like the one they used, that can be lathered up with water and rinsed off.
Clearing skin wash / This is a salicylic acid face wash. To rinse off the cleanser and oil, they used a hot washcloth, which I’ve mentioned I’m a big fan of. They also had a little steam device going over my face the whole time, which I wish I could have at all times at my desk at work to keep me hydrated.
Chemical exfoliation with Daily Resurfacer / This reminded me of the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Glycolic mask that I love. Here’s the description of the Dermalogica one online:
Three-in-one treatment that resurfaces and smoothes skin without causing irritation or redness, helps reduce the signs of premature aging, and brightens with a unique botanical complex that helps even skin tone and balance pigmentation. Designed for daily use, Daily Resurfacer leaves skin smoothed, brightened and hydrated.
Hydroxy acids gently dissolve dead skin cells and stimulate cell renewal, improving skin texture and making skin more flexible. Japanese Unshiu Citrus Peel helps control melanin production, naturally brightening and evening out skin tone. South African Rooibos Extract combines with Green Tea as a powerful antioxidant that soothes skin during the resurfacing process.
Niacinamide with Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel / She applied this both before the mask, and also before moisturizer which I thought was interesting. I want to start incorporating products with Niacinamide into my skincare routine, because I don’t currently have any. I have this one from the Ordinary in my Amazon cart.
Clinical Colloidal Oatmeal Masque & neck massage / The oat mask went on really cold and felt thick and soothing. It made me want to start putting my face masks in the fridge to achieve the same feeling. It had little scrubbers in it for a light physical exfoliation
Scaling Fluid with Extractions / This step softens everything up to get skin ready for extractions. I did not expect to get extractions, so feeling the tool on my face was kind of a surprise. It hurt- but nothing intolerable.
Ultra Calming Mist / I always love a nice face mist.
Active Moist Moisturizer & SPF 50 Booster / Colton from the Bachelor apparently uses this sunscreen too! I could easily help him find a more affordable one… because this one is $55 for 1.7 oz.
I left feeling relaxed and my skin felt great. Check in plus the facial took about an hour. I didn’t apply makeup or any other skincare for the rest of the day or night, just let my face chill out after all that. I looked very hydrated, which is never a bad thing. I plan on using up my gift card on another facial a few months later on rather than a massage since I enjoyed the experience.
I’ll definitely be incorporating Niacinamide into my routine, doing double cleansing more often, and steaming my face as often as possible with a hot washcloth. One day I’d love to get this facial steamer to amp it up a notch.
One of my favorite tips that she gave me was to use two fingers (one per hand) instead of your whole hand to massage in products. I’ve been incorporating this and I love it for getting into little nooks and crannies to better clean my pores with everything from my cleanser, serums, and moisturizer.
-Kim
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