Did you know that luminous skin begins before you hit the beauty salon? We asked an aesthetician to share exactly how to prepare for a facial, so that you can get the most out of your next session.

Jordan is the founder of Molly Jordan Beauty, a sought-after skin clinic in Sydney known for transformative, skin-first facials. With a background in beauty therapy and a passion for real results, she’s redefining confidence by helping women glow without filters. Her signature style blends science, self-care and a refreshingly honest take on beauty.

As the head aesthetician and owner of Molly Jordan Beauty in Sydney, I spend my days helping clients get the most radiant, healthy skin possible. Over the years, I’ve learned that what you do before your facial makes all the difference.

If you were sitting in my treatment room right now, sipping a herbal tea and asking me how to prep, here’s exactly what I’d tell you – girlfriend‑style.

Sunburn? No way, honey!

Trust me, showing up sunburned is the fastest way to derail a facial. That’s because UV exposure leaves skin thin and compromised, and a professional treatment can make it even more irritated.

We always ask clients to avoid the sun for at least a week before their appointment and slather on broad‑spectrum SPF if they must be outside.

Other pre‑facial guides also caution against tanning beds or long sun sessions in the 48 hours leading up to your facial. If you’ve caught too much sun, I promise it’s better to reschedule – your skin will thank you.

And while we’re at it, skip the spray tan, too. I always recommend that a spray tan be done more than two weeks before your facial so that you don’t end up with patchy, uneven colour when we cleanse and exfoliate.

Arrive bare-faced

Please don’t spend time perfecting your makeup before your facial – I’m going to take it off anyway! A clean canvas helps me see exactly what’s going on with your skin.

Makeup sitting on your skin can clog pores and increase the risk of breakouts. Arriving makeup‑free means we can jump straight into the good stuff!

No last‑minute waxing, injectables or other tweaks

I get it – you want to look polished, but please don’t wax your brows the night before!

Waxing, threading, shaving, or dermaplaning can make skin extra sensitive. Pre‑facial guidelines recommend avoiding hair removal on the face or neck for 24–48 hours before your facial, and we generally suggest stopping all hair removal five days out. When skin is freshly waxed, a facial’s steam and active ingredients can sting or cause redness. Giving your skin a couple of days to calm down makes your treatment far more comfortable.

The same goes for injectables. If you’ve had dermal fillers, Botox or other neurotoxins, schedule them at least a week before your facial (and wait a full two weeks after fillers before booking) so the injections don’t migrate.

Also, avoid self‑tanning products. These can streak when removed, so try to avoid them in the weeks prior. Think of your skin as an artist’s canvas – the calmer and more even it is, the better I can do my art!

Stick to your regular skincare routine

You want to keep your skin stable before a professional treatment. It might sound a bit extreme, but we also recommend not changing your skincare routine within a week of your appointment so that any results (good or bad) can be attributed to the facial rather than a new product or habit.

But avoid retinol and scrubs

As much as I love good actives, there’s a time and place. Professional facials include exfoliation, so you don’t need to prime your skin with powerful products. I always advise my clients to stop exfoliating about a week before their facial and to ditch retinol five days prior. I also caution my clients to skip AHA products for three days because they can make the skin red.

If that sounds strict, remember that even over‑the‑counter retinol, glycolic or salicylic acids and gritty scrubs can thin your skin. We generally warn against exfoliating the night before your appointment and recommend stopping strong actives 48–72 hours ahead. When you let me do the exfoliating, I can control the intensity, and you’ll get all the glow with none of the irritation.

Make sure you’re hydrated (and no coffee right before!)

Glowing skin starts from the inside out. I always tell clients to drink plenty of water in the days leading up to their facial – hydrated skin is more receptive to the products we use. Arriving dehydrated makes treatments less effective.

So sip that water and maybe throw in a soothing herbal tea! Skip alcohol and caffeine; they can dehydrate you and make you more prone to redness.

Even caffeine can cause facial twitching or make it hard to relax, so we often suggest avoiding it right before your appointment.

Don’t come straight from the gym!

On the day of your appointment, avoid anything that raises your body temperature. If you have to get your workout in, we advise exercising at least two to three hours ahead so your skin isn’t flushed or reactive. Sweat and bacteria from a workout can interfere with your treatment.

We also recommend steering clear of steam rooms for 48 hours before your facial because steam increases circulation and inflammation.

Proper pre‑facial prep ensures you get the absolute most from your treatments. Following these pre‑facial tips helps us create the perfect conditions for your skin to soak up all the goodness.

So avoid those sunburns, put down the retinol, give your brows a break, come bare‑faced and hydrated and let me handle the rest. Together we’ll get you glowing!

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Do you have any pre-facial rituals you swear by? Leave us a comment below!