03/26/2026
7 Types of Facials that I offer: Benefits and What To Expect
Getting a facial can be a relaxing and effective way to care for your skin. But if your knowledge of what a facial is comes mostly from pop culture, you’re likely to think that these skincare treatments consist solely of applying a face mask and popping cucumber slices over your eyes. No that’s totally not true.
In reality, there are many different types of facials, each including different skincare products and tools, that offer various benefits. If your complexion could use some pampering, finding the right kind of treatment should be your first step. Below, I’m going to break down nine of my favorite types of facials and sharing who should give them a try.
1. Classic Facial
A classic facial is a great option for just about anyone, especially if you’ve never had a facial before. Rather than centering on a specific skin concern, this type of service is designed simply to make skin feel and look healthier. It can also be customized to suit any skin type. And while you might assume a classic treatment would be on the more basic, minimal side, that’s not the case. A traditional facial typically consists of between six and ten skin-pampering steps. According to the Cleveland Clinic, these can include:
Cleansing to remove any impurities
Exfoliating to help shed dead skin cells on the surface of your skin
Applying a face mask that suits your skin type and concerns
Moisturizing to hydrate the skin
Lightly massaging your face and neck.
Offering product recommendations
Steaming your face to help soften the skin
Extracting blackheads and whiteheads
Applying other treatments or serums based on your skin’s needs
To DIY a simple facial at home, start by washing your face, then use a gentle exfoliant. Let the deep cleansing clay mask sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Finish with a lightweight moisturizer, and make sure to take a few minutes to massage it onto your skin. (Note: For at-home facials, skip the extractions. These are best left in the hands of a professional.)
Benefits: Refreshes skin, removes impurities, and provides general hydration.
Ideal for: All skin types
2. Hydrating Facial
When your face feels dry and dehydrated, a hydrating facial might be just what your skin needs. It’s a targeted treatment made up of steps designed to help increase your skin’s moisture levels and lock in hydration.
Hydrating facials will usually start with gentle cleansing to remove impurities, followed by light exfoliation to ensure dead skin buildup doesn’t impede your skin from soaking up moisturizing formulas. Next comes applying a moisturizing face mask. Then, the aesthetician will layer hydrating serums and moisturizers onto your skin. This is generally one of the more gentle types of facials, and skin immediately appears more hydrated and healthy-looking.
Benefits: Deeply moisturizes, reduces dryness and flakiness, visibly improves skin texture.
Ideal for: Dry, dehydrated, or mature skin
3. Acne Facial
Acne facials are specialized treatments that help unclog pores, visibly calm skin, and reduce the appearance of breakouts. In most cases, these facials include deep cleansing, exfoliation, and gentle extractions. Masks and serums formulated with acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide may also be incorporated, as well as light therapies. Acne facials can vary significantly from one spa to another, so it’s best to inquire with your esthetician about what to expect.
Benefits: Helps clear pores, address visible breakouts, and soothe skin.
Ideal for: Oily, acne-prone skin
4. Exfoliating Facial
While exfoliation is part of most facials, some treatments focus more heavily on sloughing the skin than others. Microdermabrasion facials are a great example. Also known as a power peel, this treatment uses tiny crystals to exfoliate the skin and help address visible skin concerns. It’s a popular option for reducing the appearance of fine lines, dull skin, dark spots, mild acne scars, and sun damage. The treatment itself is quick and requires only minimal downtime, so it’s easy to make work with a busy schedule.
There are also topical products inspired by professional microdermabrasion that you can try. Youth to the People’s Yerba Mate Resurfacing Energy Facial is one of my favorite formulas for recreating an exfoliating facial at home. The dual-action formula with enzymes and micro-exfoliants helps break down dead skin cells while smoothing skin texture.
Benefits: Visibly improves skin texture and reduces the look of dark spots
Ideal for: Dull and sun-damaged skin
5. LED Light Therapy Facial
LED light therapy facials are one of the more high-tech types of facials. They use high-powered LED lights to help target different skin concerns, from acne and wrinkles to eczema and psoriasis. The light therapy utilizes different wavelengths that correspond with different colors. How deeply it penetrates the skin and what effect the light will have depends on the color. Red light therapy can help with visible signs of aging, while blue light therapy is suited to improving acne.
Benefits: Supports collagen, reduces inflammation, and helps manage acne breakouts.
Ideal for: Acne-prone skin and mature skin
6. Oxygen Facial
New facials are always being invented and gaining popularity. Oxygen facials are one type of facial that’s relatively new to the scene (i.e., starting to pick up steam within the last 10 years). While they continue to be the subject of research, evidence suggests that using topical oxygen on the skin can help improve the appearance of mild and moderate acne. It’s also been shown to have uses in hair care.
Benefits: Reduces the appearance of irritated skin and improves the look of acne.
Ideal for: Acne-prone skin
7. Sheet Mask Facial
One of the easiest facials you can do at home is a sheet mask facial. Sheet masks are single-use masks that are soaked in concentrated serums intended to target specific skin concerns like dryness and dullness. After washing your face, you just need to pop the mask on, leave it for about 20 minutes, then take it off. It doesn’t get much simpler than that. You don’t even need to rinse!
Treat your skin to this type of facial the next time you need a quick pick-me-up or before getting ready for an event. The latter is a pro-approved hack—makeup artists will often have their clients sit with a sheet mask on before they apply any cosmetics. To try it for yourself, pick up one of the I Am Sheet Masks from TonyMoly. There are 16 options, including I’m Plum for glowing skin, I’m Caffeine for depuffing, and I’m Green Tea for skin purifying.
Benefits: Instantly hydrates and delivers a targeted formula to address specific concerns.
Ideal for: All skin types
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a facial?
A facial refers to a non-invasive skin treatment that can be customized based on your skin type and skin concerns. The goal is typically to address said concerns, make skin look healthier, and help you relax.
At their simplest, facials consist of cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing the skin. In professional settings, like at a spa, facials are performed by estheticians. You can also DIY a facial with a face mask or at-home peel.
How often should you get a facial?
Generally speaking, getting a facial every four to six weeks is ideal. But the right frequency will depend on your skin concerns and the type of facial you’re getting. Treatments that require more downtime, for example, usually don’t need to be repeated as often. For an answer that takes your specific situation into consideration, talk to your esthetician or dermatologist.
How much does a facial cost?
An average facial may cost somewhere between $75 to $300. But the price of facials can vary widely, even extending beyond this range. Impactful factors include your location, the type of facial, and the type of establishment. Facials will typically be pricier at higher-end spas and in higher-cost-of-living cities. Specialized facial options also tend to cost more than traditional facials.
How long does a facial take?
Most facials take between 60 and 90 minutes, with classic facials taking less time than specialized ones. Some spas also offer express facials that include only a few key steps and take closer to 30 minutes.
