At-Home Facial Tips, According to a Pro

Step 1: Cleanse Your Skin

The first step to any skincare regimen is to wash your face. For people with dry skin or anyone looking for a little extra moisture in Winter, Liverman recommends a cream cleanser. "My favorite is IS Clinical's Cream Cleanser ($45)," she said. "It has the best milky consistency and isn't hard to get off."

To ensure you remove every last bit of dirt or makeup that your cleanser may have missed, make sure to follow with a good toner. "Just make sure the product is alcohol-free, so it doesn't dehydrate the skin."

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Step 2: Exfoliate

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According to Liverman, a postshower chemical exfoliation is a must at least once a week. This will help remove any dead skin and increase the penetration of skincare products. A mask with lactic acid is a great option for at-home exfoliation because it's also going to hydrate.

"I love lactic-acid masks because of their exfoliating properties — they get that skin to shine bright, pores appear smaller, and skin tone evened — but also because it's hydrating," Liverman said. "One time a week is enough for the majority of people — I don't want anyone overstripping their skin and hurting the skin barrier, which is a common thing I see at Glowbar."

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Step 3: Do a Hydrating Mask

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In the colder months, Liverman suggests you follow your exfoliating mask with a hydrating mask to ensure your freshly exfoliated skin gets the adequate moisture it needs to look glowing. (Just make sure it doesn't also have other exfoliating properties to avoid irritation.)

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Step 4: Add Your Treatment of Choice

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The best thing to keep in mind when giving yourself a facial at home is that you only want to do the treatments you need for your specific skin concern. While chemical peels and extractions can make a huge difference, those are sometimes best left to the experts. For an easy treatment you can do at home, try an LED light therapy treatment, such as ReVive Light Therapy Essentials — Wrinkle Reduction & Anti-Aging ($49).

"LED is normally the last step in our treatments," Liverman said. "Red light can help fight acne and signs of aging with the use of light technology, while blue light kills bacteria that causes acne while red light stimulates collagen production and helps speed the skin's natural healing process."

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Step 5: Apply Your Serum and Moisturizer

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Next, treat your skin with a serum based on your current skin concerns. If your skin is dry, reach for a superhydrating formula with hyaluronic acid. If you have decongested pores or acne, try a retinol product, which can help regulate sebum and speed up cellular turnover.

"I love Environ's Youth Essential C-Quence Serum," she said. "It's a step-up program, meaning you start with their lowest dosage of vitamin A (which avoids the retinol uglies) and slowly increase to their top tier, which is level five. My skin has never looked better."

Then follow with your favorite moisturizer and eye cream. (Pro tip: this is also a good time to get in that facial massage you love so much when you go to a spa.)

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Step 6: Add SPF

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The final step is to apply your SPF every single day — even if you spend most of your days indoors.

When it comes to your skin-care routine, remember: "Less is more," Liverman said. "My goal for every single one of our clients is to find the right routine for them and stick to it — this will allow for that skin barrier to remain healthy, intact, and glowing."

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