With summer drawing to a close, you likely want to keep your dewy, glow lasting as long as possible. And while you can use your favourite glow-inducing skincare products, sometimes what your skin needs is a little TLC and there’s no better way to achieve this than with a facial.
A great facial is a life-changing thing. It can leave your skin looking and feeling its best for months on end thanks to the techniques, products, and personalized treatments used. Luckily Toronto is home to dozens of amazing spas that offer incredible facials that truly make a difference.
So, the next time you’re looking to book a facial in Toronto, treat your skin to one of these treatments, you and your skin deserve it.
Radical Radiance Regime (RRR) at Sous La Face
Chances are, you may have seen this treatment blowing up on TikTok or Instagram – and for good reason. The RRR treats the face and neck by sculpting, toning, tightening, and lifting the face. This treatment promotes circulation and collagen production, relieves tension, and activates your lymphatic system to depuff and remove toxins and built-up fluid in your face. One treatment will leave you with a revived, rejuvenated, and youthful appearance.
Length: 60 minutes
Price: $229 per session
Biologique Recherche Bespoke Facial at Tight Clinic
If you prefer a treatment that’s completely tailored to you and your skincare needs, Tight Clinic’s Biologique Recherche Bespoke Facial is definitely a must-try. The treatment begins with a thorough analysis of your skin’s specific needs, which is followed by an individualized preparation of your epidermis based on a thorough cleansing of your skin combined with a facial massage, followed by preparing your skin using the brand’s iconic Lotion P50 and applying a face mask. Next comes the treatment stage, which targets each skin issue by incorporating products with the highest concentration of active ingredients, which take effect gradually, resulting in the improvement of skin quality, while your complexion becomes more radiant.
Length: 90 minutes
Price: $295 per session
Province Apothecary Custom Organic First-Time Facial
If you’re looking for an all-natural facial, look no further than Province Apothecary. The signature custom facial begins with a full holistic consultation to determine and target your specific skin concerns and goals. This natural and organic custom facial is designed to hydrate, detoxify, and strengthen the skin. This is also a non-invasive facial so you won’t experience any extractions that can break the skin barrier.
Length: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Price: $140 per session
Lift + Tone at Formula Fig
This popular spot from Vancouver just opened in Toronto, bringing its popular facials and skin treatments to Ossington. A must-try facial is the Lift + Tone, think of it as a mini facelift, without all the recovery time. This non-invasive treatment uses cutting-edge technologies including microcurrents, radiofrequency, and LED light therapy to stimulate facial muscles and collagen production to lift and strengthen your skin.
Length: 30 minutes
Price: $125 per session
Custom Cold Laser Facial at Consonant Skincare
Located on Queen Street West, Consonant Skincare is home to the Custom Cold Laser Facial, which is a non-invasive treatment that leaves you with instant results, zero downtime, and firmer and smoother skin. This facial is fully customizable and you can select a number of boosters to incorporate depending on the treatment you want. So whether you’re looking to hydrate dry skin, exfoliate and smooth skin, sculpt and tone (or all of the above), you can customize your treatment specifically to your needs.
Length: 50 minutes for one booster; 60 minutes for two boosters; 80 minutes for three boosters
Price: $150; $195; $245
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Ugh, if there is one thing I hate about the winter season, it’s definitely the frigid temperatures. Yeah sure, it’s great for breaking out all those lovely layering sweaters and beautiful thick scarfs to protect your neck, but you know what it’s not great for? Your skin! As temperatures dip lower, as they do here in Canada, it tends to wreak havoc on your skin making it dry, flaky and in some cases, even cracking. If you’re like me and try to have a serious skincare regimen, then there are some simple things you can do to save your skin during the winter season and it includes sometimes indulging in a facial. Sure we could go to any of the many spas that Toronto has, but if you’re looking for a cozier experience, then head to any of these hidden gem places to score a great facial.
Here are 10 great hidden gem spots to get a facial in Toronto.
Dermalogica @ Royal Bank Plaza
Listen, we all have our own skincare routines, but sometimes, there’s no shame in admitting that we need extra help. This is why at the beginning of December, I went to the brand new Dermalogica flagship located inside the Royal Bank Plaza to book my very own treatment. I selected the ProSkin 30, which cost $70 and offers a high-impact treatment customized to my skin concerns. Not only was the facial totally rejuvenating to my skin, but the team also introduced me to a gentle exfoliant that’s perfect for the winter months. Since the skin barrier is compromised during the winter (because of the dryness and the cold air), it’s important to use a gentle exfoliant. Who knew?
Province Apothecary
Our skin is kind of like a map, and the way each person’s skin reacts to different climates is different. This is why I was super interested in Province Apothecary’s holistic approach at its skincare clinic which is located on Dundas West. One of the brands’ facials can cost between $90-$120 for up to 60 minutes, depending on the specific treatment. With that said, the team will customize a unique facial experience for you and use only active plant ingredients and essential oils. My biggest take away here: using gentler, more natural products for your face, especially during the winter is way BETTER. So go ahead, and splurge.
Gee Beauty
Recently I moved into the Rosedale area and came across Gee Beauty, who are known in the city for some of the signature facials it offers. If you’re fighting against the winter skin blues, you’re going to want to book in for the ‘Naturally Gorgeous’ facial for $165 for 60 minutes. This facial will repair the skin while aiming to bring back radiance that’ll enhance your glow. For an additional cost, you can add in a treatment with an LED light device and to be honest, when trying to beat off the winter’s SAD, it’s totally helpful.
The Detox Market
Everyone knows that The Detox Market is the place to go for all your clean beauty needs but did you know that you can now experience a facial in Toronto there, too? At the retailer’s Yorkville location on Scollard Street, book in for the Odacité’s “Temple of Beauty Facial” which uses the brands all natural yet effective products. Expect to see a noticeable post-facial glow that’ll also have you looking majorly contoured. In addition to the relaxing hour-long facial, you’ll also receive a warm and cold gua sha massage which de-puffs the face, and is great for lymphatic drainage.
Blitz Facial Bar
Known for its killer facial menu, Blitz Facial Bar is the place to go for all of your skin needs. My go-to when visiting is “The Micro” facial, which is just 30 minutes ling and costs only $85. While this facial goes through all the nitty, gritty of most facial procedures, it also restores collagen, and uses a diamond tip paired with gentle suction to remove the outermost layer of dead skin. Trust me, it’s pretty cathartic to see and hear that dead skin being removed.
Majesty’s Pleasure
While everyone is town knows Majesty’s Pleasure for its nail art, you probably didn’t know that this hotspot offers a quality facial in Toronto. Stop by for its “Rejuvenating Facial” that’s 60 minutes long and even though it costs $165, let me tell you — the steam, exfoliation and extraction process is incredible. Not moisturizing your skin can leave cracks in the skins surface, so if you’re feeling all the dry skin feels, then this process will be key in helping it stay supple.
SILK + PALM
If you’re in the mood for a unique facial, check out Yorkville’s SILK + PALM and try out it’s Silk Glow facial which includes the spa’s signature acupuncture. It’ll put you out $150 but you can’t really put a price on great skin, right? The acupuncture balances out the skin from the inside out and increases collagen production and it’s followed by relaxing gua sha and jade roller massage that increases circulation and reduces puffiness.
Tips Nail Bar
Another Toronto nail salon that’s known for its nail art is Tips Nail Bar but you can get so much more there besides a fabulous mani. Tips is home to a great hidden-gem spa that offers top quality facials in Toronto as well as microdermabrasion, peels, and more. If you don’t have the time for a full-on facial, Tips offers 20 minute Micro-Zone treatments like flash exfoliation, eye rescue, and lip renewal, among others as well as its classic 75 minute Dermalogica facial which is the real deal.
The Ten Spot
With so many Ten Spot locations not only in Toronto but across the country, you’re never far from a wealth of beauty services. The Ten Spot offers nail services, laser, waxing, and of course, facials at all of its locations. Choose from a quickie detox facial for $60 if you’re in a hurry or indulge in a fully customized facial for $110. Plus, at some outposts you can even enjoy a post-facial cocktail!
Sweat And Tonic
Life is moving so fast these days that we’re constantly searching for convenience everywhere we go. If you’re in need of a facial and a good workout but can’t make it to both places, simply head to Sweat and Tonic that’s located right across the street from the CF Toronto Eaton Centre. The gym/spa/wellness hybrid offers not only HIIT classes, but boxing and yoga, as well as spa services. All of the facials at Sweat and Tonic are just 30 minutes and use Consonant Skincare products, so know you’re getting the best of the best. Even better, if you’re a first time Consonant customer, you can score your first facial for just $45 instead of the regular $65.
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Skin has never been more in. Everyone is talking about a glowing complexion and how to get it from comprehensive skincare routines that border on religious, to vitamins, supplements and skin-focused diet regimens. And let’s not forget, drinking 8 glasses of water a day. But sometimes we all need just a bit of professional help. Sure, your toner-essence-serum combo does the job for everyday use, but when it comes to giving your skin a little extra something-something — that’s where facial treatments come in.
No longer reserved to a ‘once-in-a-blue-moon’ occasions, facials — and the spas and clinics that administer them — have grown in popularity, in part due to increased demand.
“Consumers are more skin-conscious and savvy now,” says Lori Beazer, custom cold laser technician at Consonant Skincare. “Social media has played a huge role in displaying the importance of how facials benefit your skin.”
For those uninitiated in the world of facials or if you’re looking to try a treatment out for the first time, we spoke to a number of expert skin therapists for everything you need to know.
Communication Is Key
The initial conversation between you and your skin pro will set the tone for your entire treatment. “The first thing is to let your skin therapist your skin concerns and what to avoid,” says Anna Koshevaia from the Hammam Spa by Cela at Bayview Village.
You want to make sure you and your skin therapist are on the same page about what you are hoping to achieve with your treatment — namely, that they prioritize the same issue as you.
If you’re getting a facial to address brightening and firming, then you might not want your therapist to zero in on issues such as sun damage or pigmentation instead. When your skin therapist is first becoming acquainted with your skin, be it through close examination or an in-depth skin analysis, they can give you a better idea of what you should be looking out for.
According to Lindsay Barras, education manager at Dermalogica Canada, “The skin analysis is an important part of your treatment that completely dictates what products are used, what modalities are used, and the at-home regime that is recommended following the treatment.”
“Sometimes, what we see and what you think you see might not always be the same thing,” says Koshevaia. “Definitely try to talk about your skin as much as possible so we make sure we fix what you want, and not simply what we, as professionals, might see.”
Also, don’t forget to let your skin therapist know if you have a big event coming up, and how far in advance.
Some treatments, such as detoxifying treatments or chemical peels can have some downtime (namely breakouts or redness) and you definitely don’t want that.
What Kind Of Facial You Want
Across the board according to our pros, the top three most commonly addressed skin concerns are acne, anti-aging, and brightening. Whether you’re looking to heal acne scarring, plump fine lines or tighten the complexion, facials can be tailored towards your specific needs and wants.
Most facials start off with a cleanser to remove dirt and makeup, and then follow with exfoliation to get rid of dead skin. While the type of exfoliation differs from, say, a scrub to an acid to a microdermabrasion machine, the intent is the same: to prep your skin and allow the next steps to penetrate for maximum results.
This exfoliation step is also why there are some red flags to watch out for before your facial.
“Retinols and acids should be avoided a few days prior to treatment,” says Beazer. Koshevaia agrees and goes further to say that waxing should be avoided one or two days before and after your facial: “This way, you minimize sensitivity and redness, since your skin can become over-exfoliated otherwise.”
There’s also the type of facial to consider: regular or high-tech.
Facials which use technology usually target the skin on a cellular level by stimulating cell turnover and skin regeneration. For example, the Cold Laser Facial at Consonant or the Freeze Clinic uses LED therapy that target the dermis layer to strengthen the skin from within.
On the other hand, regular facials aren’t necessarily less effective — they also focus more on the relaxation aspect. Regardless, the products administered by your skin therapist during a facial are professional grade, meaning the concentrations are higher than you would be able to buy as a consumer, thus the impact on your skin is greater.
Facials don’t replace a routine
Each of the experts we spoke to all agreed on one thing: a facial is not a one-hit solution.
“Just one skin treatment is not going to get you towards your skin goals,” says Barras. She likens the experience to going to the dentist. “You go to the dentist to get a professional cleaning, as you would a skin therapist to get a professional skin treatment — but you have to do your day to day maintenance every single day to be able to achieve your desired results.”
As to how often people should come back for treatments, it really depends on the individual.
Some people come for a set of 4 to 6 treatments every three weeks, others once a year. No matter what you feel works for you, as long as you’re committing to taking care of your skin.
Rather than replace a regimen, a facial treatment will work in tandem with your existing skincare routine.
There’s no point in getting a facial and then forgoing your toner-serum-moisturizer combo. “In fact, I would say that following a good skincare routine is about 80% of your success,” says Koshevaia.
Who’s to say that the famed 80-20 rule can’t apply to skincare as well?
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As summer begins to transition to fall, temperatures shift from warm and humid, to crisp and cool sometimes as quickly as in a day. Don’t get us wrong, we’re looking forward to the change of season but the sudden switch in weather can leave you with itchy and irritated skin, or even worse, a very unpleasant breakout. But often enough, all you need is a quick trip to the spa to give your skin the TLC that it deserves. Here in Toronto, we’re spoiled when it comes to luxe spas that deliver an impressive lineup of treatments that are not only complexion saviours, but are also incredibly relaxing. Read on to see where we’re heading to for our all-time-favourite exfoliating, massaging, extracting, hydrating, smoothing, technologically advanced, glow-ifying facials in Toronto.
Hopefully, by the end of this article, you’ll be more than inspired to treat yo’ self to a facial at one (or all!) of these Toronto spas!
Consonant Skincare: Consonant Custom Cold Laser
Nowadays, it’s not just our lives that are technology-driven, our skincare is too, and it just so happens this Queen Street natural-beauty haven is home to a technology forward facial, that targets common skin concerns like dehydration, elasticity, and evening out complexion. But don’t let the premise of being technology-focused scare you. This facial uses an incredibly relaxing, nine-step process that includes a cold laser, microdermabrasion, oxygen, and LED light therapy, which works together to increases cell turnover and stimulates collagen and elastin production. Not to mention, all products used during the treatment are from Consonant, so they’re 100% natural.
Blitz Facial Bar: The Micro
If you feel like your complexion is looking dull and tired, a micro facial from Blitz is just what the doctor ordered. During this 30-minute procedure, the esthetician will start by cleansing your skin, followed by a microdermabrasion procedure that uses a diamond tip paired with gentle suction to remove the outermost layer of dead skin. This is followed by a lymphatic massage, hydration, and SPF, leaving you with healthy, bright, and glowing skin.
Province Apothecary: The Custom Organic Facial
For the gals and guys who want a treatment that’s more catered to their personal skincare needs, Province Apothecary’s custom organic facial is definitely a must-have. You’ll start your procedure with a fully holistic consultation with a skin therapist to determine your skin concerns and how they can be treated. Based on this analysis, your skin therapist will begin your customized treatment with in-house made all organic products through a series of lymphatic stimulation, cleansing, a honey mask, massage, and extraction (if necessary). You’ll also get to go home with samples and a custom-blended facial serum to build a complete home-care regime included in this treatment.
Spa My Blend by Clarins: HydraFacial
If you’re a fan of treatments that deliver instant results, you’ll want to give the hydrafacial at Spa My Blend by Clarins at the Ritz Carlton a try. This non-invasive and non-surgical procedure helps to resurface your skin through a series of cleansing, exfoliating, extractions, and hydration. Your skin will be treated to a cocktail of antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, giving you optimal results without any downtime. Plus, you can choose from a 30, 60, or 90-minute treatment, depending on your schedule.
Hammam Spa: Skinceuticals Treatment Facial
If you feel like you’re going through a period of particularly dull skin, the Skinceuticals Treatment Facial at the Hammam Spa on King Street West not only brightens skin, we assure you that it works wonders on your overall skin tone to boost overall radiance. Here’s how it works: the treatment is rich in antioxidants and exfoliators, that work together to leave skin looking brighter and more radiant and refreshed.
Ritual: Red Carpet Facial
The next time you have a special occasion to prepare for, we recommend treating yourself to Ritual’s ‘red carpet facial.’ This relaxing and luxe facial combines all of the salon’s best techniques, leaving you with flawless looking skin. Treatments include a deep cleansing, customized masque, advanced exfoliation, micro-current lift, and an oxygen infusion leaving skin looking plumped, glowing, and red carpet ready.
It’s time to invest in some beauty maintenance, so leap forward with a complexion cure that will revive your luminosity and rid your skin of any impurities and congestion.
We’re here to help you get an extra pep in your step by highlighting some of Toronto’s top spas and facials. If you’re looking to get glowing, these skin institutions are a complete no-brainer.
The Freeze Clinic
808 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4J 1L6
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc5wKxBFEAn/?taken-by=thefreezeclinic
The Freeze Clinic was the first Cold Laser facial clinic in the city of Toronto, and are still hailed as the top spot to receive this treatment. Cold lasers are a non-invasive procedure that helps to stimulate oxygen, reduce redness and fine lines. Opt for their signature Freeze Facial which combines Diamond Microdermabrasion, a collagen mask, a cocktail of customized serums and more.
Gee Beauty
2 Roxborough St W, Toronto, ON M5R 1T8
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcVrFXtBlDD/?taken-by=geebeautystudio
Consider this your HQ for modern makeup and cutting-edge skin care. While people everywhere flock to this Rosedale locale for perfectly sculpted brows, their facials and skincare solutions are just as revolutionary. We’re a fan of their Intraceuticals Oxygen facial that helps to plump, smooth, re-hydrate and firm the look of your skin. Your skin is infused with hyperbaric oxygen and Hyaluronic cure for a truly bright bounce.
Province Apothecary
1518 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6K 1T5
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSERKHSBg0d/?taken-by=provinceapothecary
We can’t get enough of their products and organic aromatherapy facials. This Dundas haven promotes clean and green beauty, and we’re living for it. If you’re looking for a pore-clearing cleanse look no further than their “The Clear Skin Intensive” Organic Facial. Problematic skin will require extraction and detoxification, but the results are worth it. Prepare to see a reduction in blemishes and inflammation, and say hello to the truly radiant skin.
The Ten Spot
Various Locations
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfwyu1GBxwD/?hl=en&taken-by=thetenspot
While we flock to The Ten Spot for our routine manicures and pedicures, this cult salon is serving up some serious skin wins. If you’re looking for a professional opinion, pop in for a complimentary skin analysis or their “Quickie Facial.” If you’re looking for a deeper clean, we’re huge fans of their 60-minute treatment that is fully customized using Dermalogica products. Your skin will be treated to a hot towel treatment, massage, steam, extractions and more.
Are you planning on getting a facial this Spring? Let us know in the comments!
Featured image: Instagram/ @thetenspot
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