After five days of commuting, working in office air conditioning and sweating it out at the gym, you wouldn’t be alone if you hit Friday night and your complexion is a mess.
But there are ways to detox your skin and give it the break it needs, and experts all agree that the weekend is the best time to do this.
Free from the city air, the long hours of wearing makeup and the daily grind, facialists including celebrity professional beloved by Lara Worthington, Melanie Grant, advocate a weekend skin detox.
From embracing a DIY facial massage to creating an at-home Sunday face mask, here Melanie reveals her top tips.
Free from the city air, the long hours of wearing makeup and the daily grind, facialists including celebrity professional beloved by Lara Worthington (right), Melanie Grant (left), advocate a weekend skin detox
Speaking to FEMAIL, the facialist – who is based in Sydney’s Double Bay – explained that the best thing you can do for your skin at the weekend is go makeup free – she said it’s a great time to let your skin breathe (pictured: Zoe Foster Blake and Nicole Warne)
GO MAKEUP FREE
Speaking to FEMAIL, the facialist – who is based in Sydney’s Double Bay – explained that the best thing you can do for your skin at the weekend is go makeup free:
‘Over the weekend, it’s a great idea to let your skin breathe,’ Melanie explained. ‘When you get home on Friday night, cleanse your skin straightaway and add an antioxidant serum and SPF moisturiser only.’
She recommends you follow this blueprint throughout the weekend, only adding a ‘lightweight, sheer tinted moisturiser if you really need the coverage’.
Aside from this, the pro said you should prioritise facial massage and spend at least five to ten minutes massaging in oils in an upward circular motion to your face (pictured)
TRY FACIAL MASSAGE
Aside from this, the facialist said a weekend skin detox should see you prioritise sleep, at-home facials and facial massage.
While it may feel excessive when you’re rushing out the door during the week, the weekend is really the time when you can take the extra five to ten minutes required to really massage in your face products.
For this, the pros recommend taking something like a facial oil which has enough slip without pulling at your face, and then massaging it in slowly to your cheeks and T-zone, using circular motions.
There are more than 40 muscles in the face, and without some sort of a workout, they can slacken.
Using something with enough slip like a facial oil, Melanie said you should massage your cheeks and T-zone with your fingers (pictured)
Next in your weekend skin detox, Melanie said the weekend, and ideally Sunday night, is the best time for a DIY facial (pictured: her clinic in Sydney’s Double Bay)
HAVE A SUNDAY NIGHT FACIAL
Next in your weekend skin detox, Melanie said the weekend, and ideally Sunday night, is the best time for a DIY facial.
‘If you don’t have masks, exfoliants or serums on hand, you can use ingredients from your pantry,’ she said.
‘Things like manuka honey, yoghurt, avocado, olive oil, sugar and oatmeal work really well in this regard.’
If you want to do your own facial, Melanie has an eight step process she swears by for success.
‘First up, cleanse your skin thoroughly and then cleanse it again,’ she said.
‘Then, exfoliate your face, neck and décolleté with a fine, granular scrub or enzyme treatment. Apply up to three serums to target your specific skin concerns and layer a cream mask over your face, neck and décolleté.’
With this, Melanie said you can either go for one mask or apply multiple masks in different areas for different concerns – whether it’s a purifying mask on your T-zone or a brightening mask on your cheeks.
‘Next, remove your mask with a warm towel and spritz your skin with a hydrating mist. Then, apply your favourite face oil and massage it into the skin using upwards circular movements.
‘Use your middle and ring fingers only, then apply your moisturiser in the same circular movements and finish with an eye treatment and lip balm.’
Last but not least in your weekend skin detox, Melanie said it’s all about prioritising good quality rest and eating and drinking well (pictured: Shanina Shaik, who she has treated)
PRIORITISE SLEEP
Last but not least in your weekend skin detox, Melanie said it’s all about prioritising good quality rest and eating and drinking well.
‘Sleep is essential to a healthy, glowing complexion,’ Melanie said. ‘A few extra hours will give your skin a major boost, and it’s free – so win win.
‘Weekends are a great time to have a really long hot bath before bed with Epsom salts and bicarb soda, to rejuvenate and remineralist your body.
‘Then you should also make time for the other things that help the skin. Swerve alcohol in favour of infused cucumber or lemon water and herbal tea. Dry brush your body and lather in skin products.’
Peels are another great way to add moisture to the skin.