Salon care and home care do not replace each other; they work together. A salon session gives your skin deeper attention at regular intervals, and a simple routine at home helps that attention carry through the days in between. Here is how to plan the two together, what you need at home and what to avoid.
What is the difference between salon care and home care?
A professional facial at the salon brings together steps that are hard to do on your own at home, such as a close look at your skin, deep cleansing, blackhead removal, massage and a mask chosen for your skin. We carry them out at regular intervals, choosing each one for what your skin needs at the time.
Home care is the simple, regular routine you follow every day, built on basics such as cleansing, moisturising and sun protection. However careful a salon session is, it cannot stand in for that daily routine; think of salon care as extra support on top of what you do at home.
What should a simple skincare routine at home look like?
You do not need a lot of products for a home routine that works. Three basic steps are a good starting point for most skin types.
- Cleanse: Use a gentle cleanser suited to your skin, morning and evening. Gently removing your make-up and the day’s grime in the evening is especially important.
- Moisturise: Apply a moisturiser suited to your skin type after cleansing. Dry skin may be more comfortable with richer textures, oily skin with lighter ones.
- Protect from the sun: Finish your morning routine with sunscreen. We suggest not skipping this step on cloudy days or in the winter months either.
Keeping up these three steps helps you feel the effect of your salon care for longer. We explain which type of product suits your skin in our post on how to know your skin type.
What should you avoid at home?
The most common mistake in home care is doing too much. The habits below can put more strain on your skin than it needs.
- Exfoliating too often: Exfoliating at home every day, or very frequently, can make your skin sensitive.
- Constantly trying new products: Starting several new products at once makes it hard to tell how your skin is reacting to each one. Try new products one at a time.
- Squeezing and picking: Squeezing blackheads or bumps at home can leave marks. Leave blackhead removal to the salon; for bumps that do not go away, we suggest checking with your doctor.
- Rubbing hard: Pat your skin dry rather than rubbing it or drying it roughly with a towel.
How do you plan salon care and home care together?
The simplest way to plan salon care and home care together is to see each salon session as a check-in and a source of support. A professional facial is usually recommended every 4-6 weeks for most skin types; in the weeks between, your home routine carries on. We plan every facial to a personalised protocol, so your own interval may be different.
Each time you come in, we look at how your skin is doing on the day, and we can go over the products you use at home with you. If a step needs adding to your routine, or a product needs a break, we will tell you plainly. We explain how we work out the right interval for you in our post on how often you should get a facial.
How does your routine change on salon days?
On the days you have a salon session, it is a good idea to simplify your home routine a little. If you use retinol or acid-based products, we suggest telling us before your appointment, and we recommend not wearing make-up for the rest of the day after your facial.
Avoiding saunas, hammams and intense heat for the first 24-48 hours afterwards, and not trying new products or exfoliation in these days, is part of the routine too. You will find the details in our post on what to do after a facial.
How do you look after your hands and nails at home?
Home care is not only about your face. A manicure, gel polish or nail extensions done at the salon also look good for longer with a little care at home.
- Wear gloves when washing up and cleaning.
- Moisturise your hands after washing them, and nourish your cuticles regularly.
- Do not use your nails to open or scrape things.
- Do not scrape or pull off gel polish or nail extensions at home; leave removal to the salon.
For more detailed advice on extensions, see our nail extension aftercare tips.
Frequently asked questions
If I look after my skin at home, do I still need salon care?
It is not essential, and the decision is yours. Home care is the daily foundation; salon care adds deep cleansing, which is hard to do at home, and steps chosen for your skin. When we suggest a plan, we explain clearly why.
Do I need to use the salon’s products at home too?
You do not need to. It is enough to choose home products that suit your skin type and your budget. At the salon, we can look at your skin and talk about which type of product may suit you.
What should I do if my skin changes between sessions?
If you notice dryness, redness or sensitivity you did not expect, take a break from new products and message us. If needed, we will adapt your next session to your skin; if the change persists, we suggest checking with your doctor.
When can I wear make-up after a facial?
From the next day. So that your skin can rest, we recommend not wearing make-up on the day of your facial; the next day you can go back to your usual routine.
Let us plan your care together
At our salon in Nişantaşı, Istanbul, facials are carried out by our expert team of qualified practitioners, who explain each step and make sure you are comfortable. You can read about the steps of the facial on our Professional Skin Care page. If a question comes up between sessions, you can message us; we are happy to go over your home routine with you.
