Kos Islands’s heat can be brutal, and so are its effects on our skin. Strong UV exposure, an increase in alcohol consumption, dehydration, sweat and sunscreen buildup can have your skin looking dry, with more pronounced fine lines, irritated, and can even trigger acne/eczema flare ups. Facials use deep cleansing techniques to remove impurities, replenish dry skin with hydrating masks, soothe and calm sensitive skin with cryo-globes and nourish with relaxing facial massage that will have you leaving the studio fresh-faced and radiant for your return home. 

Pro tip: Add a ceremide rich moisuriser to your routine for your stay (this is the glue that binds our skin cells together and keeps our skin barrier intact and healthy, key to preventing trans epidermal water loss) as well continuing with your normal routine. Use a hydrosol spritz during the day to replenish the skin, and remember to re-apply SPF regularly to avoid sun damage and premature ageing of the skin. Ensure it’s high UVA protection, mineral based and marine safe.

2. Your skin absorbs ingredients better

Imagine: you’ve just awoken from your facial; your skin has been freshly exfoliated and is plump with new, glowing skin with oxygenated blood flowing directly to those new cells, this helps your skincare products at home to penetrate better. Remember that consistency is key with achieving your skin goals, and by using your homecare products every day for at least a month (as this is your skin regeneration cycle) it gives your skin time to utilise the ingredients and show-up in how the skin looks and feels.

Pro tip: For even better results, choose the dermaplaning enhancement to remove fluffy, vellus hair around the face and gently remove surface dead skin cells, revealing the smoothest skin of your life - and all with no down time or irritation.

3. Heals acne and improves skin texture

Feeling like you have bumpy or congested skin texture? It's definitely time to book in. By removing impurities and dead skin cell build-up with steam herbal cleansing, ultrasonic extractions and exfoliation, it’s the ideal option for healing acne skin. The Elevate facial at Naós uses soothing cryspoons , anti-inflammatory masks, botanical facial oils to heal active breakouts. Our facials also use plant-based natural retinoids which can stimulate quicker skin cell turnover, stimulate collagen and fade hyperpigmentation without the traditional synthetic retinoids side-effects such as redness and sensitivity. Try the rejuvenating serum by Aegli.

Pro tip: Try to avoid sun exposure on acne prone skin. Although it can initially dry up oiliness and seem to fade any redness, it can cause post inflammatory hyper pigmentation to become permanent scarring* once the tan has faded, and is particularly difficult to treat. If you have active breakouts and sensitive skin, use a mineral tinted SPF to lightly cover redness but still protect.

4. Reduces built-up tension and stress

The appearance of our skin is a reflection of what's happening within. Stress posture patterns affecting the neck and shoulders can reflect on the skin’s appearance by restricting blood flow and causing sluggish circulation. Naós facials are all high-touch, meaning massage makes up a huge part of the facial. Whether it be lymphatic drainage, gua sha or lifting and sculpting techniques, they work together to re-educate overactive facial muscles, particularly around the brows, eyes and jaw to relax.

Pro tip: Choose ‘The Healing Ritual’ for the ultimate mix of massage and facial to work on the whole upper body, and use a facial oil to massage facial and neck muscles daily. by smoothing and relaxing these muscles daily, it can act as a natural alternative to botox.

5. Reduce anxiety and uplift your mood

By using facial reflexology, an ancient practice which covers 100’s of acupressure points on the face, we can target different systems in the body and bring them back into balance, reducing adrenal over-stimulation and activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Facials at Naós are highly massage based; working on the whole upper shoulder, neck, facial and scalp muscles to soften and hydrate fascia, creating a smoother appearance. Working deeply into tension. Massage in this area calms anxiety, boosts endorphins and lowers cortisol levels.

6. Skin detoxification

Our skin is the first defence barrier of our body, and being in contact with the environment daily, it works hard as part of our immune system against chemical pollutants, free-radical damage, UV and air pollution. At Naós, we know that we can’t physically detox the skin, but that healthy skin starts from within, and by stimulating the lymphatic and circulatory system to oxygenate the skin, we can help keep it working optimally to protect us. While our liver and kidneys do most of the work, massaging brings a flush of nutrient rich blood to the face, therefore, helping to flush away toxins and stagnant blood flow. Naós holistic facial rituals are supercharged with antioxidant rich ingredients proven to prevent damage of the skin from environmental stress.

Pro Tips: Avoid using a high amount of active ingredients in one-go every day. Try skin cycling over 4 nights instead. Here’s how:

Night 1: Use active exfoliators such as AHA/BHA followed by moisturiser. Night 2: retinol and moisturiser. Nights 3 + 4: cleanse and moisturise. then repeat. This gives the skin enough of a break in between using actives to ensure they are working their best, without overloading the skin and increasing the risk of side effects.

7. Double-up on face masks

Finding the time to fit face masking into your routine can be difficult. But during a Naós facial, one to two customised masks may be used to add an extra layer of hydration, sealing in moisture, doubling the effectiveness of serums placed underneath, all whilst you enjoy an arm, hand, neck and scalp massage.

8. Protect your skin

If you’ve never had a facial before, you’ll be hooked after seeing the way your skin can look after professional care. But imagine the benefits of making facials your monthly time to centre yourself and your well-being. Invest in protecting your skin against free-radical damage that accelerates skin ageing, secure longer lasting skin radiance, reduce acne flare ups and scarring. Learn to love your skin; watching it heal and improve over time.

9. Get the best holistic skincare advice 

Estheticians are highly trained individuals and are used to seeing the skin under a lens. We’ve seen it all! At Naós Massage & Wellness Studio, we look at the skin holistically, that means taking into consideration your lifestyle, your emotional state and how your body its systems and organs might be affecting your skin. They are somebody you can trust to be honest and recommend the best approach, working with you to address your skin concerns. Even if that means considering combining more advanced medical treatment such as dermatology, if necessary. We are here for you.

After reading about all of the amazing benefits of facials for your skin and well-being, visit Naós studio to experience a holistic facial in our sanctuary studio in Kardamena, Kos. You can include an ‘In-depth consultation’ before your facial session for free to create a treatment plan and personalised home care advice to get the best possible results for your skin.