Oxygen Facials

By Crystal Clear

Price: £55

Stockist: Crystal Clear

My skin was quite congested, so my facialist suggested I have microdermabrasion followed by a steam and extractions to allow the oxygen part of the facial to work better. Very thorough! The microdermabrasion wasn’t overly abrasive like some I’ve had and for such a technical facial, it was extremely relaxing. The oxygen bit involved a thick mineral- and nutrient-rich serum being slathered onto my skin and blasted into the pores using bursts of oxygen. My skin was baby soft and dewy for days after.
We tested the facial at Emporium on York Street, London (020 7723 6650).

Verdict: A great value facial, and the first choice for anyone with clogged pores or blemished skin.

By Ling

Price: £130 for 80 minutes

Stockist: Beauty Works West

Apparently this facial is the one Madonna swears by so I couldn’t wait to try it out for myself. And it didn’t disappoint. In fact, from the steam cleansing and extraction (which I normally dread) to the massage and oxygen infused ultra sound (the sound waves aid the oxygen absorption), this facial was pure bliss from start to finish. But although I’ll be booking in for more, I do prefer traditional oxygen facials where the oxygen is pumped into my face, as you tend to see the results faster.

Verdict: This facial is a good choice for a real pampering session, it is also ideal as part of a course to re-condition the skin.

By Bliss

Price: £148.10 for 85 minutes

Stockist: Bliss London

The Triple Oxygen facial is Bliss’ most famous and revered treatment, attracting Knightsbridge’s well-heeled locals as well as celebrity fans. It’s designed to revive a tired complexion and with that being the most accurate way to describe my skin of late, I was more than happy to be signed up. The treatment started with intensive cleansing and a fruit acid wash, followed by an oxygen mask to help push oxygen in to my skin cells. As we get older, less oxygen reaches our skin, which is one thing that makes it look older, apparently. Next for me came ten-minutes of extractions as my skin was congested. Not exactly relaxing but the milk mask applied afterwards was soothing. Finally, vitamin-enriched oxygen was sprayed all over my skin in short, sharp blasts to help push the nutritents right down in to the dermis. Afterwards, my skin felt clean and plump, though it did take a few hours to calm down.

Verdict: An intensive facial that revives sallow skin.