Have a spa night at home

A spa night at home is a quiet evening on your own: a long shower or bath, a face mask and lots of lotion. It’s a good fit for winter, when the dry air and the heating leave your skin and lips feeling tight. It takes about an hour and costs very little.

Set it up first

Ten minutes of preparation makes the evening easier.

• Choose the night. Pick an evening with nothing the next morning, so you don’t have to rush.
• Clear the space. Tidy the bathroom, and put out a clean towel and a robe if you have one.
• Lay out what you need. Face mask, lotion or body oil, warm socks, a hair tie or headband and a glass of water.
• Warm the room. Run the shower for a minute with the door shut, or turn on a heater safely, so you’re not cold when you step out.
• Set the mood. Dim the lights and put on quiet music. If you use candles, put them on a stable, flat surface away from towels and curtains, and blow them out before you leave the room.
• Phone away. Silence it and leave it in another room.

Patch-test anything new

If you’re trying a new face mask, oil or scrub, test a small amount on your inner arm or behind your ear a day before. Look for redness, itching or a rash. If you notice any, don’t use it. This isn’t medical advice, and if you have sensitive skin or a skin condition, check the product label or ask a pharmacist.

How to do it

1. Start with a long, warm shower or bath. Hot water dries skin, so keep it warm rather than very hot.
2. Wash your face gently and pat it dry.
3. Put on the face mask and follow the time on the packet. Don’t leave it on longer than that.
4. While it works, sit down with a cup of tea, read a book or do nothing at all.
5. Rinse the mask off with lukewarm water and pat your face dry.
6. Moisturise while your skin is still a little damp. Do your hands, elbows and feet too.
7. Put on the socks, drink some water and stay in for the rest of the evening.

Easy extras

• A little lip balm before bed.
• A hand cream and a pair of cotton gloves, if your hands are very dry.
• A warm towel from the dryer to wrap round you.
• A playlist or a podcast that’s calm and not too stimulating.
• A hot drink without caffeine, if you’re going to sleep afterwards.

What goes wrong

• The mask stings or itches. Rinse it off straight away with cool water and don’t use it again.
• You feel cold when you get out. Warm the room and the towel first, and put on warm clothes as soon as you’re dry.
• Your skin feels tight after. Moisturise sooner, and use a thicker cream at night.
• You can’t relax. Take your time and don’t force it. Put on music or read a few pages.
• You feel dizzy after a hot bath. Stand up slowly and drink some water.

After the night

Go to bed a little earlier than usual. If something worked, such as a particular lotion or a bath before bed, keep doing it. You don’t need to wait for the next spa night: a mask and a bath once a month is enough.

Keep it safe and simple

Hot water and a wet floor are the main risks, so put down a bath mat and take your time getting in and out. If you use a heater in the bathroom, make sure it’s one made for bathrooms and keep it away from water and towels. If you like candles, keep them in a holder away from anything that can burn, and put them out before you leave the room. A spa night works best when nothing needs to be rushed.

Make it a winter evening

Winter evenings are long and dark, which makes this a good time to look after yourself without any guilt. Take your time, and finish with a hot chocolate in your fuzzy socks. If you want something more social, try a game night.