Skin care basics
What to Do After a Facial: Aftercare That Matters
By the skin specialists at VK Skin Spa, Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. Updated November 13, 2026.
What should I do after a facial?
Skip makeup that day, don’t touch your face, avoid the gym and sauna for 24 hours, use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer, wear sunscreen, and hold retinol and scrubs for 2 days.
A facial is an hour. What you do in the two days after decides how long the result lasts. Most of it is about leaving your skin alone. Here is the short list, then the reasons.
What should I do after a facial?
Skip makeup for the rest of the day, keep your hands off your face, avoid heat and sweat for 24 hours, use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer, wear sunscreen, and hold retinol and scrubs for 2 days.
1. Go bare for the rest of the day
After a deep cleansing facial, pores are freshly cleared. Give them the evening without foundation. After gentle facials such as oxygen or ultrasonic, makeup is fine, though bare skin is nicer.
2. Keep your hands off
Your hands carry oil and whatever you touched on the subway. Don’t touch, pick or check for bumps in the mirror.
3. Skip heat and sweat for 24 hours
No gym, sauna, steam room or very hot shower. Heat and sweat can irritate skin that has just been worked on. A walk is fine.
4. Cleanse gently and moisturize
That night, use a mild cleanser and a light moisturizer. Nothing foaming, nothing scented, nothing new.
5. Wear sunscreen
Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to sun. Use SPF 30 or higher the next morning, and every morning after.
6. Hold retinol, acids and scrubs for 2 days
Your skin has already been exfoliated. More the same night is too much. Bring them back on day three.
7. Sleep on a clean pillowcase
It is a small thing that keeps clean pores clean.
Is it normal to break out after a facial?
A few small spots in the next day or two can happen after a deep cleansing facial, as pores settle. It passes on its own. Leave them alone. If your skin stays red, sore or bumpy for more than a couple of days, call us.
How long does redness last?
After extractions, some pink areas for a few hours are normal. Oxygen, ultrasonic and LED facials leave no redness. Peels are different: expect light flaking for a few days.
Can I wear makeup the next day?
Yes. By the next morning your skin is ready. Clean your brushes first. Dirty brushes undo a facial fast.
When can I work out?
The next day. If you had a peel, wait until your specialist says, since sweat can sting peeling skin.
Aftercare by facial
- Deep cleansing: all seven steps above.
- Ultrasonic, oxygen, Oxyjet, LED: no downtime. Moisturize and wear sunscreen.
- OxyGeneo: skip strong exfoliants and retinol for 48 hours.
- Sculpt Tightening: skip saunas and intense heat for 24 hours.
- PCA peel: gentle cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen only, and don’t pick at flakes.
- Nano Mesotherapy: mineral sunscreen, and skip products with alcohol for a few days.
How do I make the result last?
- Wash twice a day with a gentle cleanser.
- Moisturize on damp skin.
- Exfoliate once or twice a week, not daily.
- Remove makeup every night.
- Wear sunscreen daily.
- Change pillowcases often and wipe your phone screen.
How often should I get a facial?
Most skin does well every 4 to 6 weeks. Oily skin often likes a cleansing facial every 4 weeks. Drier skin needs deep cleansing far less, and does better with hydrating facials in between. Your skin specialist will suggest a rhythm after your first visit.
Should I book before a big event?
For a deep cleansing facial, book at least 3 to 4 days before, so any pink areas settle. For the day before an event, choose an oxygen facial.
