How to do an at-home facial, according to a celebrity skin expert

Many spas and salons may be open for business again following COVID-19 closures, but you might not want to book a facial anytime soon.

Not only does this particular treatment call for closer contact between clients and professionals than, say, haircuts or manicures, but it’s impossible to get your pores steamed or your blackheads extracted while wearing a face mask — something many reopening salons are requiring.

The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice glowing, gorgeous skin to stay safe during the pandemic. We tapped celebrity esthetician Shani Darden — who counts Jessica Alba, Chrissy Teigen and Kelly Rowland as clients — to share a simple five-step facial you can do weekly in the comfort of your own home.

Watch Darden take you through the process, and then check out our step-by-step guide below, along with links to the products the star skin guru recommends.

1. Steam the skin.

“This is great because it will loosen up any oil in your pores, and it will help with product penetration,” Darden explained. While you can use a facial steamer if you have one, standing in a hot shower or using a warm washcloth will do the trick, too.

2. Wash with a gentle cleanser.

To demonstrate, the esthetician used her own Shani Darden Cleansing Serum ($38), which includes hyaluronic acid and oat bran extract. “It has a really gentle lather and it won’t strip the skin,” Darden said, massaging it into her face before removing the product with wet gauze.

3. Exfoliate.

Using a brush, Darden applied iS Clinical’s Tri-Active Exfoliating Masque ($95) all over her skin. “It has salicylic [acid] in it, so it’s great for congestion, papaya enzyme which will remove any dead skin, and also glycerin, so it’s slightly hydrating as well,” she explained.

After leaving the mask on for five to 10 minutes, Darden removed the mask with wet gauze to reveal “an immediate glow.”

4. Apply hyaluronic acid serum.

Darden gently patted on Dr. Nigma Talib’s Serum No. 1 ($185), which she said is “super hydrating” and “filled with antioxidants,” all over her face, neck and chest.

5. Finish with moisturizer.

The celebrity esthetician ended the DIY treatment with two pumps of her Shani Darden Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer ($48), a fast-absorbing potion she promised “won’t clog your pores.”