Show some skin
5 soothing facials and helpful ingredients for San Antonians who got too much summer sun
Let's face it – the San Antonio sun is relentless, and sometimes you just forget to slather on sunscreen. No judgment here – relax and recharge your skin with the best facial experiences in town.
Think about what happens in the sun: At the very least, you're losing hydration while sweating. If you've really overdone your sun exposure, we're looking at peeling, red skin, and painful inflammation. By that point it's gone too far and you'll need to wait for things to calm down before messing with them any further — but here's what to look forward to.
Most of these treatments include ingredients that don't just soothe the skin, but completely strip the damaged layer. Then, they deposit more hydration and regenerating compounds to ensure that the newly exposed skin is ready for more action.
But be especially careful after you walk out with all that fresh, new skin! Sunscreen is always important, but your skin will really need extra help for the next few days. Opt for SPF 30 or higher, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Whether it's aloe, CBD, or peptides you're looking for, here are five great facials for mitigating sun damage, listed from lowest to highest price.
The 29 Again facial at Hiatus Spa, $160
Let's face it, time is the one thing we can never get back, but at least you can look like you turned back the clock thanks to the 29 Again facial at the Hiatus Spa. The Pearl's serene spa getaway features gentle skin products and facial massage techniques that target skin regeneration. The end goal, according to the spa menu, is to reduce fine lines and firm up the skin again.
The Jetsetter facial at the Thompson Hotel Spa, $175
Despite the facial's name, this one doesn't require a plane ticket. The Jetsetter facial at The Thompson features AIRO skincare, a plant-based product line created by the hotel's own master esthetician, Daphne Chapman. Some of its sun repair ingredients include botanical hyaluronic acid and aloe. The entire facial is like a cold glass of water for your skin, leaving the face glowing in a way that makeup simply can't.
The Illuminating facial at the JW Marriott Resort's Lantana Spa, $175
The Illuminating facial at the JW Marriott utilizes Eminence products made of potent Arctic berries that exfoliate, peel, and finally firm up skin that needs a refresh. It even targets acne and uneven skin for a smoother, radiant glow — and not just for the face. The esthetician also wraps up your hands and arms for an all-over hydrating treatment.
The Glow-Time Facial at the Windflower Spa, $215
Get ready to glow after a visit to the Windflower Spa at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa: The Glow-Time facial aims to calm down inflammation while boosting collagen production. It's a juicy cocktail of natural ingredients like bamboo extract and stem cells derived from Swiss green apples. These should lessen the effects of time on your skin and leave you feeling relaxed and ready to hit the town.
The OTO CBD Firm and Lift Facial at the Loma de Vida Spa, $250
In the mood to splurge a bit more with your facial? Loma de Vida has a relatively new spa treatment, the OTO CBD Firm and Lift facial, that combines several spa experiences. One of the more familiar anti-inflammatory ingredients on this list, CBD may already be in your arsenal of natural remedies, but you also get sound therapy, a bamboo massage, and some serious re-centering overall. (Plus, you get to use the Lantana Spa pool the day of your treatment, and trust us, it's one of the best spa pools in town.)