How Philly’s Best Esthetician Gets Her Skin So Glowy
Including DIY scrubs and masks she uses at home.
Viviane Aires. Photograph by Sally Man
Best esthetician Viviane Aires shares her pro tips for getting glowy skin. Want to check out her work in person? Get a facial with Aires at Rescue Spa in Rittenhouse, and follow her on Instagram @bebonita_.
Cleanse your face … twice.
Illustration by T.M. Detwiler
Think of your skin-care routine in two steps: wiping off dirt, oils and makeup, and then washing. “I love using balms or cleaning oils as my first cleansing step, and then I follow up with a gentle cleanser,” says Aires. Massage a makeup remover into skin (Aires loves Valmont’s Wonder Falls cleansing cream) and remove with warm — not hot! — water. Then use a gentle cleanser; Aires swears by Environ.
Drink water.
Illustration by T.M. Detwiler
Dehydration makes skin appear dull and exaggerates problems like wrinkles and dark circles. Keep a gallon of water by your bed, and refill a water bottle throughout the day to keep you sipping. “I like to add a pinch of Himalayan salt so my skin stays hydrated and energized,” Aires says.
Embrace moisturizers, masks, serums and sunscreen.
Illustration by T.M. Detwiler
Serums help even out your skin tone and firm up skin; apply one after cleansing and before your morning moisturizer. Make room for a face mask a few times a week. “Masks are a great way to reset and re-energize the skin,” says Aires. And don’t leave the house without sunscreen. (One thing to skip? Makeup wipes for everyday use. Keep these in your gym bag for post-workout wipe-downs only.)
Go DIY.
Illustration by T.M. Detwiler
A great skin-care regime doesn’t have to cost a small fortune. Aires makes her own body scrubs with coconut oil, jojoba oil, sea salt, and a few drops of sage, jasmine and geranium essential oils. Use once a week for full-body exfoliation.
Published as “How to Get Glowy Skin” in the August 2019 issue of Philadelphia magazine.
