It's winter, which means my skin is looking dull and lacklustre. The combination of cold weather and central heating has left my complexion completely parched, so I've been considering booking one of the best facials to help give my skin some much needed hydration. However, because I've been slathering on all of the best moisturisers for glowing skin, my complexion is also feeling quite congested. Yep, even my skin texture is playing up, feeling bumpy and uneven.
So, late the other night, I found myself Googling the best treatments for congested complexions. One treatment that kept cropping up was Hydrafacial. I had seen this treatment a lot on social media, and I know a whole bunch of celebrities (from Beyoncé and J.Lo to Suki Waterhouse) swear by it. Sure, it's become quite popular over the past few years, but I always put it down as one of those buzzy skin fads that probably wasn't worth my time (or money).
However, desperate times call for desperate measures, so I figured that now was the perfect time to give the facial a go and see what all the hype is about. I booked in a Platinum Hydrafacial at one of my favourite places for beauty treatments, Thérapie Clinic, so keep on scrolling for my full review…
What Is a Hydrafacial?
First things first, what actually is a hydrafacial? I reached out to beauty editor and expert esthetician, Grace Day, to get the info. “A Hydrafacial is a technology-based rejuvenating skin treatment delivered via a patented machine,” she told me. “It follows a set facial protocol which incorporates lymphatic drainage, cleansing, exfoliation, extractions and hydration. It removes dead skin cells and impurities, and infuses skin with hydrating and brightening ingredients.”
You may have see these patented machines on social media, and if so then you'll know that this facial essentially uses a wand to perform different parts of the treatment on your skin.
“A Hydrafacial uses vortex patent technology combined with specific tips and serums to give you a deep clean and fuse hydration into the skin,” adds Emma Lynam, senior clinical trainer at Thérapie Clinic UK. “The serums are packed with peptides, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, AHAs—everything our skin needs for good health.”
What Does a Hydrafacial Do?
So, how does all of this benefit the skin? “Because the focus is on detoxifying, exfoliating and removing dead skin, Hydrafacials can benefit a wide range of skin concerns—most notably, dullness, congestion and pigmentation,” says Day. As the name suggests, it can also help to hydrate the skin and add a beautiful glow.
“Hydrafacials are a great treatment option for people who don’t necessarily have the time for regular facials. They provide skin with an intensive reset and the results can last for several months,” adds Day. “They also do a little bit of everything, which can be good if you don’t know what your skin needs, or you simply want to feel deeply cleansed, refreshed and rehydrated—ideal after travelling or if you live in a city.”
At Thérapie Clinic, there are different Hydrafacials available depending on your skin concerns. For example, the facial I had included the “J.Lo Booster”, which is essentially a niacinamide serum that works to hydrate and brighten the skin, alongside antioxidants to protect the skin from environmental aggressors. Perfect if you live in a busy city like me. And yes, for those wondering, it was indeed created in collaboration with J.Lo Beauty.
How Much Does a Hydrafacial Cost?
At Thérapie Clinic, a one-off Hydrafacial session with the J.Lo Booster is £219, but if you book a block of six sessions, this is reduced to £189 per session. However, prices vary extensively between clinics, so do check costs on your chosen clinic's website before booking.
What to Expect at a Hydrafacial
I had a more in-depth Hydrafacial, as you'll see below, but Lynam tells me that a standard treatment features the four classic steps, including cleansing, exfoliating, extracting and hydrating the skin.
Step 1: Cleansing
First up, your facialist will start by cleansing the skin to remove any makeup and make sure that you are starting the facial with a clean base. I was a little worried about turning up the appointment with makeup on but my facialist assured me that it was totally fine. Bear in mind that this facial avoids the eye area, so if you're wearing mascara, it won't be taken off during this step.
Step 2: Lymphatic Drainage
Then, your facialist will perform a gentle lymphatic drainage massage to help increase blood flow to the skin, reduce puffiness and tension and improve circulation. This is definitely one of the most relaxing parts of the whole facial.
Step 3: Exfoliation
Now it's time for the fun part, the exfoliation. The wand gently exfoliates the skin (it feels like someone very gently scratching the surface) while also applying a chemical exfoliant (glycolic acid) in order to get the best results.
A part I was really excited for was the extractions. The wand uses suction technology to extract any dirt from the pores and remove blackheads. By this point my skin was feeling a little hot and tingly, but there was no pain during this process.
Step 5: J.Lo Booster
As I was having a more premium Hydrafacial, I was treated to the J.Lo Booster. The wand applies a refreshing serum to the skin, and this serum is packed with peptides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and antioxidants. I could really start to see the glow by this point.
Step 6: LED Light Therapy
After that, the facialist will apply an LED mask to help reduce any inflammation and promote collagen production. I had this on for around eight minutes and it was a nice way to wind down after all of the exfoliating.
Step 7: Hydration
Finally, the treatment ends with another hit of hydration. Another serum is applied and your facialist might also apply an SPF to help protect your skin post-facial. The most satisfying bit about this facial is that you can actually see what dirt has been extracted from your skin at the end. Yes, it's a little gross, but also weirdly fascinating.
Junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay, showing the results of her Hydrafacial.
Is a Hydrafacial Suitable for All Skin Types?
A facial might be trending on social media, but before jumping on the hype it's really important to consider whether the treatment is right for your skin type. “A Hydrafacial is suitable for most skin types, however if your skin is very sensitive or you have severe acne, it may not be the most appropriate treatment for you,” says Day.
I would definitely agree with this. I don't have super-sensitive skin but it can definitely be sensitive at times. I was quite red after this facial and experienced quite a lot of tingling, so if your skin is on the very sensitive then I could see this being quite an irritating facial for you. If you're unsure, make sure to speak to your facialist beforehand to express your concerns. There are elements of a Hydrafacial that can be tailored to your skin type, such as the strength of the glycolic acid, so you could always ask to start at the lowest level if you are a little worried.
My Hydrafacial Verdict
My Skin Before the Hydrafacial
My Skin After the Hydrafacial
All in all, I really enjoyed this treatment. My facialist made me feel very comfortable and constantly monitored my skin to check that everything was looking (and feeling) okay. As mentioned above, straight after this treatment my skin was bright red and hot to touch, and I was a little worried that the facial was too harsh on my skin. However, after about an hour it completely calmed down and I was left with a glow like never before. My skin can be quite reactive so I wasn't too worried about the redness, but as mentioned above, if you do have sensitive skin or a damaged skin barrier, I don't think that this would be the right treatment for you.
The day after my facial my skin was still glowing and felt so smooth to touch. I noticed a big difference compared to how dry and congested my skin was before having it done, so if you're struggling with similar skin issues then I would definitely recommend giving this a go.
That being said, there are some cons to this facial that are important to be aware of. It's often advertised as a good treatment to get before a big event, and most websites say that there is no downtime involved. In my opinion, I would probably get this a day or two before an event, rather than the day of. This is mostly down to the redness that I experienced, but it's also because most facialists will advise not wearing makeup for 24 hours after having it done.
It's also worth noting that you can't use any other active skincare ingredients or exfoliating products two days before or after this treatment, and it's advised to avoid sun exposure four weeks prior. I recommend using soothing, hydrating products afterwards, keeping sun exposure at a minimum and always using a high-factor SPF.
Plus, this facial is expensive (it starts at £99 for 30 minutes at Thérapie Clinic) and it is advised to get them regularly in order to see the best results. I could see myself investing in one every few months, but if you already use exfoliating acids in your usual skincare routine, then it's probably not something you need to do.
Pros:
Helps with congestion and dryness
Leaves skin incredibly glowy
Short treatment time
Cons:
A little expensive
Might need them regularly in order to see best results
Could irritate sensitive skin
Book a Hydrafacial at Thérapie Clinic.
Shop My Favourite Products to Use After a Hydrafacial:
Révive
Sensitif Calming Serum
I've been using this calming, replenishing serum post-facial and my skin is loving it.
Medik8
Ultimate Recovery™
Medik8's rich moisturiser has been formulated to minimise downtime associated with aesthetic treatments. It works to create a protective barrier to lock in moisture and is perfect for this time of year.
Sarah Chapman
R&R Glow Recovery Cream
Another soothing, nourishing cream for dry and sensitive skin that has been designed with in-clinic treatments in mind.
Omorovicza
Soothing Salve
This cooling cream is so good for irritated or sensitive skin, and helps to reduce redness and strengthen the skin's barrier.
