When can I use skincare after a facial?

Author: Dr. Nettie Funk I  |  Last update: Wednesday, November 12, 2025

After a facial, it's important to care for your skin properly. Aguliar shares she has an approach she calls "three days, three things." She says, “The idea behind this phrase is that in the three days following a facial, I recommend my clients only use three skincare products: cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.”

What shouldn't you do after a facial?

The Do's & Don'ts After Getting a Facial
  • Drink PLENTY of water. ...
  • Avoid the sun. ...
  • Avoid using active ingredients for 48 hours. ...
  • No hot water on your face. ...
  • Schedule hair removal wisely. ...
  • Always avoid touching your face, but especially post-facial. ...
  • While pores are open and freshly clean, go makeup free.

How much to tip for a $200 facial?

So if your treatment costed $200, it's appropriate to tip $30. You can go higher and tip $40 if the therapist provided exceptional service. You'll rarely ever find a day spa adding a service fee so it's recommended that you directly tip your therapist in cash.

How long after a facial can I wear makeup?

It is best to avoid putting on makeup or beauty products at least 24 hours after your facial because they can clog and congest your skin and make your facial ineffective. After the facial, the pores are still open, and the beauty products can irritate or react to your skin, leading to breakouts.

How long does it take for your face to clear up after a facial?

When you come in for a facial and your skin is sensitive, congested/acne, your skin may purge for a couple of weeks after. This is NOT your new forever skin and it will start to clear in about 2 weeks after your facial.

The Dos And Don’ts After A Facial - Facial Dos And Don'ts For Effective Results

Can I use moisturizer after a facial?

Moisturizer is especially crucial after you have a facial. Even on a normal day, it's important to restore moisture to your skin and support your skin barrier. When your skin is healing, this is even more important. It's also important to use the right moisturizer for your skin type.

How long do your pores stay open after a facial?

But how long will the pores stay clean after a facial? Generally, if the skin was properly softened up and the pores were properly cleaned out by an experienced esthetician, the pores should should stay clear for about four weeks.

Should I do my normal skincare routine after a facial?

Continue with your normal morning skincare routine, except for masks, peels, or deep exfoliation. It's fine to moisturize and use sunscreen, but skip any treatments as these may interact negatively with your facial.

How many days after facial can you wash your face?

Don't wash your face right away after a facial. Give your skin 24 hours to absorb all the goodness from the products. Washing it with your regular cleanser straight away will strip you out of all the product goodness. Therapists who suggest take-home products do this because it helps build upon your facial results.

How much downtime is needed after a facial?

Patients can return to their normal day after a facial, including returning to work. But, heavy makeup and facial products should be avoided, even if the skin is red after the treatment. Skin renewal treatments already open pores more than normal, making skin more susceptible to bacteria.

How often should you get a facial?

Pavitt says six to eight weeks is an ideal timeframe in between appointments. Medina-Cleghorn is a fan of getting a facial every four weeks so it aligns with the lifecycle of skin cells and allows your facialist to continue working on your skin health as old cells turn over and new skin cells emerge.

Is $10 a good tip for a facial?

It does not have to be 20%, but a $5 or $10 tip depending on how long they help work on you is a very nice gesture.”

Can I use serum after a facial?

You can boost the benefits of a face mask by applying the right serum afterward. After thoroughly removing your mask, choose a serum based on your skincare goals. For instance, if you need to nourish dry, rough skin, look for a serum with hyaluronic acid.

What are the disadvantages of facial?

5 Side Effects of Facials You Can Help Clients Avoid
  • Irritation and Redness. The most typical side effects of a facial are redness and blotchy skin. ...
  • Breakouts. Bacteria that get into the skin during a facial typically cause post-facial outbreaks. ...
  • Scarring. ...
  • Dryness.

How many days does it take to get glow after a facial?

Generally, the most noticeable glow is seen about 3 to 5 days post-treatment, as the skin's natural renewal process is stimulated. For sustained results, regular facials combined with a good skincare routine are recommended.

Do and don'ts after facial?

Your skin pores are already open because of facial treatment and overdoing steaming can result in broken capillaries or skin sensitivity. 4. Do not apply any chemically enriched creams or sunscreen immediately after the facial. Rather you should not apply any cream through-out the day post-facial treatment.

Why is my Cerave moisturizing cream burning?

If you experience skin redness, itching, burning and stinging—especially when you apply skincare products—it's possible you have sensitive skin. Other sensitive skin symptoms include frequent rashes, itching, dry patches, facial redness, reactions to extreme weather conditions and more.

Which facial is best for glowing skin?

8 Facial Treatments That Will Make You Glow
  • Facial Treatment #1. Chemical Peels. ...
  • Facial Treatment #3. Microdermabrasion. ...
  • Facial Treatment #4. Facials. ...
  • Facial Treatment #5. Anti-Aging Facials. ...
  • Facial Treatment #6. Dermaplaning. ...
  • Facial Treatment #7. Platelet Rich Plasma. ...
  • Facial Treatment #8. Hydrafacial. ...
  • Conclusion.

How long should I wait to wash my face after a facial?

“After an evening facial, you won't need to wash your face as long as you're not applying sunscreen or makeup. Unless instructed otherwise, you don't want to go more than six hours without washing your face.” When it is time to cleanse, we recommend Ultra Facial Cleanser.

Can I use hyaluronic acid after a facial?

This helps retain the benefits of your facial and keeps your skin hydrated. For extra moisture, we suggest using a product with hyaluronic acid, a natural humectant that attracts moisture to the skin and locks it in, improving hydration levels and boosting the skin's ability to retain moisture.

Can you use vitamin C after a facial?

Do not use your active products (Vitamin C, retinol, salicylic acids, etc) until the skin feels calm and has recovered from treatment. This typically occurs within three days, but can vary from person to person; please do not hesitate to give us a call if you have questions following your facial treatment.

How long does your skin purge after a facial?

If your reaction appears as acne, "the spots will temporarily increase in frequency and even severity," says consultant dermatologist Dr Ophelia Veraitch. It usually indicates that underlying spots are 'coming to the surface', so to speak, and some people may find that these spots will clear up within one or two weeks.

How to take care of your skin after a facial?

Here is what to do to care for your skin after a facial.
  1. Protect Your Skin from The Sun. ...
  2. Hydrate and Moisturize. ...
  3. Wait Before You Exfoliate. ...
  4. Refrain from Touching Your Face. ...
  5. Avoid Wearing Makeup. ...
  6. Reschedule Going to The Gym or Working Out at Home. ...
  7. Stay Away from Direct Heat to Your Skin. ...
  8. Go for One Skin Treatment at A Time.

Why do my pores look bigger after a facial?

I think your question is interesting because my own patients have asked this also. I don't have a scientific answer for you on this; but, in my opinion, it's because the oil and clogging in some people's pores acts as a sort of “spackle” visually. It makes the pores look more level and not as deep.

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