Going for a facial is the ultimate self-care experience, but have you ever wondered what the best facial for your skin type really is?

Believe it or not, there are unique facials, techniques and tools that are best suited for every skin type—ranging from dry to combination to oily. To ensure you book your next facial with the confidence and knowledge of what you should keep top of mind for your skin type, we’re chatting with three leading industry experts to get their insight.

Dry Skin

Dr. Geeta Yadav, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of FACET Dermatology, suggests a traditional moisturizing spa facial. “Dry skin has trouble retaining water and can also be sensitive due to its weakened moisture barrier,” says Yadav. “The best way to help it stay nourished is by pushing moisture deep into the skin.”

As a result, this treatment comes dermatologist-recommended for dry skin in particular. An esthetician will likely use a gentle and moisturizing cleanser, a series of skin-balancing toners and serums, as well as intensive masks to help replenish hydration. This unique combination of products will help improve the skin’s moisture barrier, leaving your skin feeling ultra-hydrated.

Vee Mistry of SKINBYVEE®, a celebrity facialist and skincare expert who has a unique perspective on facials and takes a more targeted approach when it comes to treating her clients’ skincare concerns. “My facials are all customized through the layering of skincare ingredients as well as beauty tools,” says Mistry. “For dry or dehydrated skin, I will lean on ingredients such as Glycolic acids or Lactic acids, as these acids also provide a level of hydration while exfoliating. I also will lean on heavier creams, sometimes cocktailing in oil to leave the skin with a veil of hydration.”

One skincare tool Mistry always has on hand is the brand’s Gua Sha Cryo Sticks. They help reduce inflammation and drain our lymph system by calming, soothing, de-puffing, lifting, and sculpting.

Remember, dry skin craves moisture, so a moisturizing spa facial or personalized resurfacing facial is your best bet. A combination of hydrating products paired with effective skincare tools will help to push moisture deep into the skin, ensuring that skin feels plump and nourished from the inside, out.

Combination Skin

Dr. Yadav says combination skin tends to be closer to normal skin, which seemingly regulates itself well. Since combination skin types typically feature areas that are both oily and dry, this could sometimes result in oily patches on the T-zone. This oiliness can cause congestion, and drier areas on the cheeks.

For this skin type, Yadav recommends engaging in a gentle resurfacing facial, using either a light chemical peel or an enzyme peel. “This will help the skin shed the dead skin cells on the surface, which improves the look and feel of dry skin but help decongest pores,” she says. “Dead skin cells trap excess sebum and impurities in the pore, which leads to enlarged pores and blemishes. Following this peel with a lightweight moisturizer will keep skin comfortable, balanced, and glowing.”

As combination skin types deal with oily and dry skin concerns, Jaspreet Nagra Sethi, a Training and Education Specialist at Dermalogica Canada, suggests picking a skin facial treatment that can be tailor-made to address multiple skin concerns. “Dermalogica skin experts recommend the PRO skin 60 treatment which can be tailored to treat breakouts, and blackheads on your t-zone by using professional-grade actives to exfoliate, extract, and infuse, revealing healthier skin,” says Sethi.

Combination skin requires double-duty facial treatments. Be sure to seek out facial treatments that highlight features such as a light chemical peel or an enzyme peel, as well as ones that can treat breakouts through gentle exfoliation and extraction methods.

Oily Skin

When it comes to having an oily skin barrier, Sethi says it’s important to treat concerns of congestion and inflammation that can often come along with this skin type. “The Dermalogica PRO clear treatment combines professional-grade actives that combat oiliness, dead skin cells, and debris on the skin, and helps to soothe post-breakout inflammation,” says Sethi. This facial treatment from the brand also incorporates LED which helps to reduce bacteria, leaving skin clear and feeling soothed yet balanced.

For oily skin, Dr. Yadav also champions a facial that incorporates LED as an add-on. As a result, she recommends trying a clarifying facial potentially with the addition of a blue LED light. “Oily skin is often congested due to excess sebum production, causing breakouts,” says Dr. Yadav. “Infusing the skin with light moisture as well as using purifying masks will help rebalance the skin.” The blue LED light add-on can also help kill bacteria that feed on excess oil, which can ultimately contribute to breakouts.

According to Dr. Yadav, some people with oily skin types tend to under moisturize in order to counteract the production of oiliness. However, it’s actually important to note that this can send your oil production into overdrive trying to re-balance itself, ultimately drawing out impurities. As a result, it’s recommended to try to find a clarifying facial treatment that includes LED light as a way to help combat and address bacteria and debris found on the skin, in order to properly treat oily skin types.

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