The best facials for your skin type: the spas that offer them, and expert advice on how to get similar results at home

Shape, Nov, 2003 by Heidi Schiller

While rest and relaxation used to be the primary draw of top spas around the country, women who love a first-rate facial are flocking to their favorite day and destination spas for treatments that go far beyond moisturizing and massage. These pampering powerhouses employ sophisticated technology and top-notch aestheticians (even dermatologists) to get your skin looking the best it possibly can. We've scoured the country for these superior skin-care spas and their most effective facials--and even uncovered a few of their time-honored secrets so you can replicate them at home.

Vitamin C Booster Facial Spa Space, 161 N. Canal St., Chicago, (312) 466-9585 Good for Sun-damaged skin This vitamin-rich treatment is the star at this busy urban retreat. Known as "the special occasion facial," it's the Lascorbic acid (aka vitamin C) that leaves skin glowing. The powerful antioxidant also helps fight skin-damaging free radicals in the environment (the result of sunlight, pollution and smoke) and acts as a mild exfoliator. While this facial alone can't undo damage, it can give a much-needed boost to stressed-out skin. The result? A healthy, rosy glow. The tab: $90 for one hour Do it yourself Incorporate vitamin C-rich products (like the Murad EssentiaI-C Cleanser and Toner, $30 and $28; murad.com) into your daily skin-care regimen--but take time to supercharge your skin at least once a week with a concentrated vitamin-C mask (we like emerginC Topical Vitamin C & Retinol Mask, $39; emerginc.com); keep it on for 20 minutes. Insider tip "It's important to close newly cleansed pores to prevent oils and dirt from getting into them," says Spa Space owner Natalie Tessler. Do this at home by holding a cold, wet washcloth against your skin for a minute after you rinse off the mask.

Oxygen [0.sub.2] Activator Facial Doral Golf Resort & Spa, 4400 N.W. 87th Ave., Miami (305) 717-6303

Good for Sallow, tired-looking skin Just being at this famed luxury spa makes you feel pampered, but its popular facial is a must-try. The oxygen is designed to give skin that's tired and sallow a jump-start. After cleansing, toning and exfoliating, your face is covered with two masks. An activator mask helps firm skin, then an oxygen mask is applied for 20 minutes; while you relax, your eyes are treated to a leave-on serum for crow's-feet, bags or puffiness. A facial massage and a refreshing misting are included in this bit of luxury. The tab: $160 for 80 minutes

Do it yourself Incorporate oxygen into your regimen with the Peter Thomas Roth Oxygen Detoxifying Masque ($50; peterthomasroth.com); leave it on for up to 30 minutes and then rinse off. Lightly tap Joey New York Calm And Correct serum ($42; sephora.com) under and around the eye area. To complete the treatment, spritz on Jurlique's botanically based Aromamist Pampering Blend with lavender and rosewood or Energizer Blend with lemon and rosemary ($24 each; jurlique.com). Insider tip "Invest in a pair of hand mitts and feet booties," suggests Blanca Gonzalez, Doral spa operations manager. "it makes your at-home pampering much more like the real spa experience." (Try Helen of Troy Paraffin Treatment Mittens and Booties, $13 per pair; at beauty supply stores.)

C & Sea Facial Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires, 165 Kemble St., Lenox, Mass., (800) 326-7080

Good for Power-cleansing pores One of the most popular treatments at the renowned destination spa, this facial helps rejuvenate the skin. It utilizes a mix of potent ingredients: enzyme-based cleansers (enzymes help to "unglue" dead skin cells, allowing them to slough off easier for a power-cleansing of pores), a vitamin-C serum to boost radiance and a pure freeze-dried seaweed mask, which helps to heal, nourish and calm skin. The tab: $135 for 50 minutes

Do it yourself Start by using an enzyme-rich cleanser daily (we like Royal Pineapple Foaming Facial Wash, $13; royal pineapple.com, and Doll Face Hoopla Enzyme Cleansing Wash, $34; beautycocktails.com) and a vitamin-C serum like DDF Silky C Serum ($65; sephora.com). Then treat skin to a nourishing and refining natural algae mask like the Kerstin Florian Marine Akta Spirulina Masque ($89; www.kerstinlorian.com for store locations) once a week. Insider tip "A great facial isn't just about the complexion," says Laura Hittleman, director of beauty services at Canyon Ranch. "Your neck, decolletage and hands need TLC too. Use the same products on them--particularly on the neck and decolletage--as you do the rest of your face."

Epicuren Double Mask Facial

The Spa at the Hotel Crescent Court, 400 Crescent Court, Dallas, (214) 871-3232

Good for Treating the first signs of aging Epicuren is a popular skin-care line found in top spas across the country, including this luxury urban hotel spa, which recently underwent a $4 million renovation. The Epicuren products are rich in skin-healthy botanicals like soothing aloe vera, healing arnica and the antioxidant green tea. What makes this particular facial stand apart from others, though, is a dual-layer mask (the aesthetician applies two masks, one on top of the other) that aids in temporarily tightening skin. A collagen serum tops off this complexion treat, helping the masks to seal in skin's hydration, so you're left with dewy-soft, supple and more youthful-looking skin. The tab: $115 for 50 minutes; $135 for 80 minutes